THE INNER-CITY NEWS

INNER-CITY

"Black Book" Returns Collective Consciousness To Its Roots

Lucy Gellman, Editor, The Arts Paper newhavearts.org

Mr. Ashford is having trouble convincing his class that debate is worth their time. In front of him, a handful of students look back, ready to question his every move. He adjusts his tie and takes a breath. It’s summer, and the room is sweltering. When he asks for their homework, the room crackles with an uncomfortable, shifting silence.

“Did y’all not do the homework,” he says, an edge to his voice. Another breath. “Look. Speaking is hard. Public speaking is the second biggest fear any human being has. But it’s necessary to know what your big why is.”

So unfolds Austin Dean Ashford’s Black Book, running May 10 through 25 at Collective Consciousness Theatre in the city's Fair Haven neighborhood. Devised, written, and performed by Ashford, the work tackles a surprising amount of ground in 80 minutes, including public education, anti-Black racism, gun control and a lack of mental health support in schools.

It is directed by CCT co-founder and Executive Artistic Director Dexter Singleton, with performances at Bregamos Community Theater at 491 Blatchley Ave. Tickets and more information are available here.

“It’s been a long time since CCT has done a solo show,” Singleton said in a phone call Tuesday morning. “Anyone who knows our roots knows that much of our early work was solo work. The show tackles education, which is an area that we haven't looked at for many seasons, along with gun control. I think it's a great show to end our season—we are coming back to social issues that really need our undivided attention.”

Those issues are woven deeply into Black Book, set in a universe that doesn’t feel so foreign to New Haven (Ashford grew up in Oakland and is based in Indianapolis, but the play is meant to be “any city U.S.A., Singleton said). In the play, it is summer, and Melvin Tolson High School has reached a boiling point. Outside the school, barbed wire greets students, blurring the line between prison industrial complex and public school. Inside, teachers are allowed to carry guns—and a sweet, brilliant Black boy named Vernon is dead because of it.

Enter a bright-eyed Mr. Ashford, a Wiley University grad and former Great Debater who has his work cut out for him. As he exhorts the power of debate, his students are hesitant, skeptical. That doesn’t mean they don’t have the knowledge: they weave in and out of poetry and rap, power and wit knitted into each sentence. They teach him a thing or two (or ten) about what it means to be human, bust stereotypes, and find Black joy in a year upturned by white supremacy.

Ashford: “I started with this question of, ‘What would happen if teachers had

guns?’” he said. “I remember when Columbine was a crazy concept. Now, it’s so frequent. Schools are not the same safe place they used to be.”

They just operate in a culture of low expectations, which takes Ashford a minute to adjust to. While it is a one-man show, the playwright and actor voices 13 characters, giving voice to school administrators, teachers, and the young men who fill his classroom.

“My real life story is very connected to this script,” Ashford said in a phone call Tuesday afternoon. “You realize that your actual story, that you actually live, is valuable enough.”

While Black Book is set in the present, its genesis began in the early 2000s, when Ashford fell in love with speech and debate for the first time. While he was finishing his GED, “I noticed that people on the [debate] team were getting scholarships” to college. It led him to Wiley, a historically Black university in Marshall, Texas that is home to the historic Great Debaters.

After seeing the eponymous film, he studied the rhetorical genius of Melvin B. Tolson, a writer and educator who founded the debate team at Wiley in the early 20th century. It inspired him to attend the school, where the actor Denzel Washington had relaunched the debate team with a $1 million gift in 2007. After years steeped in poetry and spoken word, Ashford soared, winning 21 national debate and speech championships in four years. Meanwhile, Wiley instilled in him a new kind of pride in his Blackness—and a sense that there was a need to tell more stories like his. When he graduated in 2016, he didn't feel done with that narra-

tive.

Black Book gives him the chance to do just that. After college, Ashford enrolled in an MFA program at the University of Arkansas, where he met Singleton during the 2018 Arkansas New Play Festival. After starting with just a “handful of pages,” he wrote furiously, finishing a 60-page script in roughly a week. He let a single question, informed by years of studying in the South, guide him.

“I started with this question of, ‘What would happen if teachers had guns?’” he said. “I remember when Columbine was a crazy concept. Now, it’s so frequent. Schools are not the same safe place they used to be.”

“We’re really hearing what adults think about this situation, but no one’s asking students,” he added. As a teaching artist, “you feel a sense of having to be a protector. It’s tough to feel so helpless. They tell you to block the door—what if someone shoots through the door?”

And what if the threat is coming from a burnt-out or biased educator inside the school?

That’s where Black Book begins, in the aftermath of Vernon’s murder at the hands of an armed teacher. In the classroom, Ashford’s students are traumatized—but they also want to talk about what happened, and it seems like no one is asking them. Their story is there between the silences, when they read poems about their origins as kings, dip in and out of Black history, flow into extemporaneous rap, and remember their fallen friend with elegiac grace.

As Ashford shape-shifts in and out of character, embodying several of these young people, it’s as effective as it is af-

rehearsal Monday afternoon, he ran through lines as Singleton looked on, jotting down notes. Between gentle teasing (“You sound like you from Oakland!”) and brief edits to the script, the two debated how best to describe Vernon’s murder at the hands of a teacher.

Was “shot in the face” more realistic than “shot in the temple,” Singleton asked plainly. What about “Shot in the head?” It drove home the weight of the show like a ton of bricks.

While Black Book is often heavy, it is also a play about the necessity of Black joy and Black storytelling, and of having a childhood free of violence, stereotype, and dominant narrative. Ashford’s students are not academic slouches: they are just finding their own way to the material, and they are full of heart and brilliance while they do it. It’s up to the audience to see how that shines through.

fecting. In one scene, he voices his students Greg and Daniel, slipping into a spoken word piece that Vernon wrote before he was killed. As he jumps between a falsetto and a bass, a listener can imagine two boys at the front of a class, performing for their peers.

“Our crowns are haloes with Black jewels of knowledge!” he exclaims in a bright, high pitch, and suddenly there is a joyful teen somewhere in the room, so familiar it seems that the audience may know him.

Just as quickly, Ashford becomes another of his students, dropping bars as he thumps his chest and snaps for a beat.

“Why bruh/Why?” the student asks aloud.

“Why why/Why?/Why we gotta listen to you talk?/Why we gotta put on a suit?/ Why?/Why I gotta—/Why I gotta act all good/Why I get misunderstood?”

These voices, mixed with Ashford’s own, make every word worth hanging on to. Around the playwright, a set remains fairly minimal: there is a tired-looking American flag, clean whiteboard with a single photo tacked to it, a desk at which Ashford sits with a cup of Starbucks coffee and an open laptop. The rest unfolds as he jumps from one scene to the next. What comes out of it is an argument about which lives are considered human, about who deserves to simply survive and who deserves to flourish. In the audience, people can see what these young men are up against—not just an underfunded district and kids who are consistently underestimated, but also teachers who struggle with bias and conflict, alarmingly quick to pull a trigger when given the chance.

It's a conversation that Ashford wants his audience to have, he said. During a

As it comes to CCT, it could not be more timely. When Singleton first booked the show in 2020, he could not have known that a pandemic would test the mental health of students and teachers, that educators would leave their classrooms en masse, the Tennessee legislature would be voting on whether to arm teachers in the classroom, a measure that passed into law at the end of April, as recently as this year.

Indeed in three years of postponements, he watched the country have the same debate. In 2022, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine passed a law allowing teachers to carry weapons in schools. The following year, Texas proposed and passed legislation that put armed personnel on school campuses. Currently, teachers have some allowance to carry guns in over 50 percent of the U.S. (see a map here). And at the same time, schools remain underfunded and underresourced, particularly in Black and Brown neighborhoods. In that sense, Ashford has hit on something uniquely American, where firearms have more rights than students, and a school may name itself after a historical Black figure, and then fail the students of color within its walls (how many underfunded public schools are named after Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ida B. Wells?). For both him and for Singleton, there’s the chance for dialogue there.

“I think it's something as a country we all need to be aware of and stay informed and really know where we stand,” Singleton said. As an educator, he’s spent time teaching in Fairfield, mentoring students who were affected by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. “Education, gun violence, gun control—it truly affects everyone.”

Black Book runs May 10-25 at Bregamos Community Theatre, 491 Blatchley Ave. in New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood. Tickets and more information are available here. https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/collectiveconsciousnesstheatre/black-book%23/day

Singleton (in baseball cap) and Ashford at a rehearsal Monday. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Comics and Cosplay at DiasporaCon

Kapp Singer, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

Maya Lwazi Rose strutted onto the stage. She stopped in the center to face the audience, twirled her arms, and struck a pose. Her blue shirt and skirt, with orange fabric draped from the arms, was meant to invoke the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo. Cheers and whoops erupted from the crowd.

Several other costumed participants tried to upstage Lwazi Rose. There was the Joker, Harley Quinn, Brother Blood, and Nubia—all DC Comics characters— and Jinx from the League of Legends video game. But, in the end, the Mystery Machine garnered the loudest applause. Lwazi Rose took home the win.

So went the cosplay contest at Kulturally Lit’s third annual DiasporaCon, a oneday convention focused on graphic novels made by creators of the African diaspora.

“I just loved the energy of the ScoobyDoo gang,” said Lwazi Rose. “They’re big old nerds and they love spooky things. With the power of friendship and a love for mystery solving, they’re able to make the world a better place—but really it was just fun,” she added with a laugh.

The contest capped off a busy Saturday at Southern Connecticut State University’s Adanti Center ballroom, where around 25 vendors and over 110 participants from across the state came to buy and sell comics and other wares from Black creators, learn about illustration and animation in a series of workshops, play video games, and show off their costumes.

This year’s event had a significantly larger attendance—about triple the number of attendees and double the amount

of vendors—compared to last year’s convention, which was hosted at Quinnipiac University’s North Haven Campus.

“The other DiasporaCons were good, and I believe having it here in a place that’s more accessible, in partnership with Southern, has just made it so much better,” said IfeMichelle Gardin, founder of Kulturally Lit. “It’s a wonderful vibe. I love everybody’s energy. It’s just happy.”

“The space was amazing and really allowed for a great flow of people,” said Juanita Austin, the organizer of DiasporaCon, who came dressed as Garnet from Steven Universe. “It was really great to

see how engaged people were with the topics.”

For Tyrone “ZeroSnake” Motley, a comic book author from Hartford, DiasporaCon was a chance to show off his new comic, UNRIVALED, which he has been working on for over five years. Motley explained that the manga, set in West Africa, features a number of intense battle scenes where “even the heroes die.”

“If you like Game of Thrones, this is for you,” Motley said.

The event also featured a keynote address by Dr. Sheena Howard, a professor of communication at Rider University in

Lawrence Township, New Jersey, who writes on Black representation in American comics. Howard’s talk was structured around what she calls her “five truths of self-empowerment”: “break the barriers of labels,” “self-belief,” “integrity,” “being resourceful,” and “accountability.”

She discussed the hurdles she faced in her own life, beginning with a story about leaving an abusive partner. For Howard, this moment and its aftermath forced her to look inwards and see the value of her skills as a writer. Realizing her potential, she said, was not only self-fulfilling, but also allowed her to make money to cover

years of expensive legal fees from her divorce proceedings.

The anecdote set the stage for the rest of the talk, where Howard told the room full of creators—writers, illustrators, animators, and more—about strategies for believing in themselves and marketing their work. She gave general self-help guidance (“be who you say you are behind closed doors”) alongside a number of specific strategies, like how to write a purpose statement and how to send a convincing pitch email.

Dr. Howard also discussed her own work and emphasized the value of public scholarship. In graduate school at Howard University, she said, many of her colleagues sneered at her dissertation project about Black characters in the comic strip The Boondocks, which she eventually turned into the anthology (with co-editor Ronald L. Jackson) Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation. Since then, she has written and edited a number of other books, including Why Wakanda Matters, Encyclopedia of Black Comics, and Black Queer Identity Matrix.

“I refuse to just have my work be for other academics,” Howard said. “I want my work to impact everyday people—people who are not other PhDs.”

On Saturday, one of those people was Lindsay Philippe, a screenwriter and art curator.

“[The talk] really gave me inspiration,” Philippe said. It helped me feel like I have a roadmap to jumpstart some of my projects. I felt like ‘wow,’ this is exactly what I came here for.”

Amateur Boxer Eyes Wichita Ring

by THOMAS BREEN

There’s no place like Kansas for Wilbur Cross student Anileo Vallenilla who’s looking to head to Wichita this summer to compete in a national amateur boxing tournament, but needs some help paying the way.

Vallenilla, Coach Nate Green, and Elephant in the Room Boxing & Fitness Club Founder and Executive Director Devonne Canady made that pitch for financial support Monday afternoon as they appeared on La Voz Hispana’s “K-Pasa” radio program with show host Norma Ro-

driguez-Reyes.

Vallenilla said he’s been boxing and training since he was 8 years old with Coach Devonne, who runs a boxing gym out of 540 Ella T. Grasso Blvd. in the Hill. Being a boxer is “something to distract my mind, something I like to do,” he said. Canady praised the sport for keeping young people in shape and helping them “transfer their anger or aggression. It’s just a good outlet.”

The Wilbur Cross student is looking to compete in the 2024 National Junior Olympics and Summer Festival boxing tournament in Wichita, Kansas from June 22 to June 29.

He, Green, and Canady made a pitch to listeners to help cover the costs for Vallenilla and Green to make the trip.

They estimated the total cost of two round trip flights, lodging for eight nights, car rental, and meals would be around $4,050.

Canady encouraged those looking to donate to mail a check or swing by the boxing gym in person at 540 Ella T. Grasso, with a check made payable to EIR Boxing & Fitness Academy. She also said donors can give through Venmo to EIR Boxing & Fitness Academy, or Cash App to $DevonneCanady.

The cosplay contest, hosted by Josh "AnUrbanNerd" Brown.

THOMAS BREEN PHOTO

Coach Nate, Anileo Vallenilla, and Devonne Canady.

The new haven independent

“B.B.” Celebrates 105 Years Young

by ALLAN APPEL

Bessie Duncan has plenty of wisdom to share upon reaching the age of 105.

One piece of advice: Drink one full cup of black coffee every morning, no cream, no sugar.

Another: Obey the law, because if you act up, you’ll suffer the consequences. A third, at least in regards to this reporter: If this article about her centenary-plus-five birthday celebration is not accurate and true, she’s “gonna get” me.

Those sprightly and pugnacious words of warning and encouragement came from Duncan on Saturday morning as 40 people about 38 of whom were relatives down to the fourth generation gathered to honor her at the Whitneyville Cultural Commons in Hamden.

Duncan is a proud graduate of Hillhouse High School, class of 1938. Back then she was known as “B.B.,” as her name before marriage was Bessie Baylor. Her hobby was tennis. Her future occupation of choice was to become a nurse.

She fulfilled that dream with a career in nursing, culminating with retirement after 20 years of service at the Manhattan Psychiatric Hospital on Wards Island in New York City.

All this cool biography and deep dive into a remarkable family history emerged over the course of Saturday’s get-together.

The attendees’ aim was to eat a healthy lunch of salmon, sprouts and rice, and to mark the red-letter anniversary of the family matriarch Bessie Duncan’s birth back in 1919.

Not that eating particularly healthily was part of any prescription for longevity that Ms. Duncan offered. Quite the contrary.

Although she’s surrounded by scores of relatives, all of whom frequent the long-time family house on Orchard Street, Duncan lives there quite self sufficiently cooking for herself and eating any darn thing she wants.

That means meals of chicken, spare ribs, ham, all kinds of roasts, cabbage, and collard greens among other foods she cited as her favorites.

Until quite recently ice cream every night was also part of the menu, although according to her great grandson Jerrell Duncan, who is her chief shopper (she allows family members to help out in that department), Ms. Duncan has cut down a bit recently; or rather she has substituted a few cookies every night instead of the ice cream.

Youngest attendee Joseph Pullen, with his mom Javonne Pullen, is only 104 years younger than his great, great, great aunt!

What Ms. Duncan has going for her, according to the testimony as well as the presence of the many older women relatives at the party nieces and cousins in their 70s and more is good, very sturdy, lucky genes.

Longevity, primarily on the female side, said niece Joyce Lassiter, just runs in this

family with many of the women though not necessarily the men living to be 100 or more.

“She’s very witty, she says what she’s thinking and what she feels,” Jerrell Duncan added, and that frequently means “she ‘fusses’ you,” he said.

She lets you know immediately if what has been brought back from the store is not the right item, or a different brand from what has been specified. “If you don’t buy the right groceries, right brands, and right

bered in response to a reporter’s question that among her fondest work experiences was serving on the ward for alcoholics at the hospital on Ward’s Island.

Although the patients had done every kind of disreputable thing, she remembered, including conniving and stealing because of their conditions, she nevertheless was able to establish meaningful personal bonds with many of them. With the cantankerous ones, she recalled, they would let only her take their blood or supervise urine samples. The hospital even relaxed regulations prohibiting women nurses from being alone with the men, given how she was in demand on the allmale wards.

In many ways, the Duncan family story, as it emerged from chats with many relatives, was of a piece with one of the main themes of African American migration journeys through 20th century America.

Bessie Duncan ended up working in New York City, and settling initially in the Bronx, because employment there had been the opportunity that originally drew her mother and her grandmother to relocate in the North from Charleston, South Carolina, from where they hailed. There was a particular market, one cousin said, for Southern black women to come to the big city for domestic employment.

Eventually the family husbanded resources and purchased property, although not in the Bronx, where they lived at first, but farther north in New Haven. After renting on Eaton Street, Ashmun, Webster, and Foote, they purchased a venerable old house on Orchard Steet that soon became the Duncan headquarters, always thronged with relatives.

Bessie Viola Baylor, born in 1919 (so affirmed the proud purple t-shirts many of the party attendees wore), attended the Troup School as a young teen, and then went on to Hillhouse High School, which was then located where the Yale University power plant now sits on Tower Parkway.

According to her graduation card, she always knew she wanted to be a nurse and her training location of choice was Freedmen’s Hospital, which was established after the Civil War, the first hospital focused on the treatment of former slaves; in the 1960s it became part of Howard University.

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sizes,” he recalled, “there’s a problem.”

That means it had better be wheat bread, not white; sweet pickles and not sour; French dressing and not any other type; the specified brand of cream of wheat and no substitute, and the apple sauce has got to be cinnamon or it goes right back to the store, he recalled.

As she ate her birthday meal and relatives caught up with each other around a balloon-filled festive room and awaited the cake-cutting, Ms. Duncan remem-

She was the third child of four siblings. She went on to marry and have twins, although only one survived Steven, who died in 2015.

New Haven is a pretty good place to grow old. According to the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, their catchment area, at least as of 2017, indicated upwards of 900 documented centenarians, including 219 residing in New Haven County, which would have included not only Bessie Duncan but her good friend, an older woman, Hildreth Hawkins, age 106.

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ALLAN APPEL PHOTO Bessie "B.B." Duncan (second from left), with granddaughter Towanna (right) and great-grandsons Jerrell and Jeremy.

Youngest attendee Joseph Pullen, with his mom Javonne Pullen, is only 104 years younger than his great, great, great aunt!

The new haven independent

Fair Haven Day Returns To Grand Avenue

Lucy Gellman, Editor, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

The barril de bomba was a heartbeat, bringing the story of a downpour— un aguacero—to life. Onstage, sound wove from the drums to vocalists, the cuá to dancers’ increasingly fast feet. It gathered in the folds of Lissette Valle’s skirt, undulating as she moved. In the audience, a handful of kids joined in. As she listened, Elizaette Lopez picked up her son, Malachi, and began to bounce.

A vibrant, multilingual and mellifluous celebration of Fair Haven unfolded Saturday, as Fair Haven Day grew its footprint on Grand Avenue and in the parking lot beside Fair Haven School. For seven hours, over 1,500 attendees danced, sang, ate and chatted their way through one of the city’s main corridors, fêting a neighborhood that has for years been overlooked and under resourced.

This year, over a dozen community partners helped plan the event, including ARTE, Inc., the Mary Wade Home, Junta for Progressive Action, New Haven Free Public Library and the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, for which it marks the first of five neighborhood festivals. Alders Frankie Redente Jr., Caroline Smith, and Sarah Miller, all of whom have constituents in Fair Haven, also sat on the planning committee.

“It’s just a testament to what Fair Haven is all about,” said Redente, a lifelong Fair Havener who last year won an award for his community spirit (this year, the same award went to Miller). “We can all come together, work together despite our differences.”

From sold out tamale vendors to bilingual book stations, that sense of community defined the day. On one side of Grand Avenue, tents lined the street, drawing a steady stream of neighbors and families. At one, Aracelis Vazquez and Maria Hernandez introduced people to United By One, a nonprofit designed to teach people about Type One Diabetes and raise money for diabetes research.

“Within the community, you’re looking for people to connect and understand,” Vazquez said. A decade ago, her daughter Ciara was diagnosed with the condition, which can result in low insulin and dangerously high blood sugar levels. Back then, Ciara was just five. Now, she’s a 15-year-old star student and athlete at Hamden High.

As a mom and an advocate, Vazquez said, she wants other young people to know that they can soar—especially if and when they keep their health in check. Part of that is spreading the word at events like Fair Haven Day, to show kids in the neighborhood that a chronic condition can’t stop them from achieving their goals.

“It feels amazing to be here, because I’m inspiring people my age, letting them

know you can still follow your dreams,” Ciara said as she drifted over to the booth. Every day, diabetes affects her “physically, mentally, emotionally,” particularly during meal times and when she’s playing sports. She often finds herself explaining to other kids why she needs to inject herself with insulin. “You can still succeed and do what you love.”

Two tents over, bright sunflowers and chrysanthemums exploded on a raw canvas, honoring the late Lizzbeth AlemánPopoca at a booth for Vivan Las Autónomas. An activist collective helmed by Vanesa Suarez and Nika Zarazvand, the group seeks to create “a world free of violence towards women and children,” including in New Haven and Connecticut.

For over a year, members have led Justice 4 Roya, pressing for greater police accountability in the investigation of Roya Mohammadi’s disappearance and death in West Haven last year. Saturday, Suarez stressed the importance of freedom and safety in the kind of tight-knit and vibrant community that Fair Haven Day seeks to build.

“Every month, we read about at least one woman who was murdered,” Suarez said, adding that she is currently grieving 19-year-old Karizmah Johnson and her nine-month-old baby, Kylenn, both Wallingford residents who were found dead prior to a house fire earlier this year.

“We should be dying of old age.”

Saturday, Fair Haven Day let her get the word out about an upcoming exhibition on freedom for women and girls, followed by an arts festival later this summer. As the wo spoke, Zarazvand held up a piece of embroidery that will be part of the coming exhibition, stopping to chat about the group’s mission as a new at-

tendee drifted into the booth. In the parking lot across the street, Movimiento Cultural Afro-Continental took the stage. On one end, Kevin Diaz gave a nod, and vocalists began to sway, conjuring the sound of el coqui as they sang. From where he sat, Samuel Diaz rose from his drum and began to move, arms outstretched as if he was flying. The percussion responded in time with his footfalls, a gentle back and forth that a listener could feel in their body.

On the stage and off, the urge to dance was contagious. Bowing to the primo, high schooler and former Miss Puerto Rico Miriam Magalis Cruz made her way to the center of the action, wrapped snugly in the blue, white and red of the Puerto Rican Flag. In front of her, Miss Puerto Rico Alanna D. Herbert slipped on a skirt and began to dance, beaming as Lysella Pujols and Johanelyz Arroyo joined in. The last time the three shared a stage, they were competing with each other. Now, they let themselves soak in the hot spring sun.

That joy flitted from the stage to the tents, from the tents to several food trucks and back down the avenue. In the space behind the stage, a school parking lot had been transformed into a family-friendly resource fair, with activity stations that boasted bright art supplies and free books in at least three different languages. At a station for ARTE, Inc., Director Dave Greco looked on as dozens of kids cycled through, hard at work as they decorated canvas bags.

“I love it!” he said, gesturing to the young people making their way through the space. The neighborhood has long been close to his heart: ARTE hosts its Saturday Academy and after-school program at the Atwater Senior Center, less than half a mile from where the festivities unfolded. As if on cue, middle schooler Karla Chilel held up a newly decorated bag and stood up from the table.

Around her, art bloomed from every direction. Tucked beside the Fair Haven Branch Library, Bench Haven’s Typhanie Williams and Kyle Pederson invited people to write their thoughts and wellwishes on a bench bound for Fair Haven School. The initiative, inspired by Zimbabwe’s friendship benches and now in its second year, is intended to fight the isolation and loneliness that may lead to depression, anxiety and suicidality.

“We’re really happy that people are using it and writing on it,” Williams said as three kids approached the bench, picked out markers and began to write. “It’s always a reminder that it’s bigger than us and people want to have these conversations.”

For Nivia Mendez, the activity was right on time. “I need to sit down,” she said, resting a bag on the ground as she leaned

Maria Hernandez, Cesar Vazquez, Ciara Vazquez, Aracelis Vazquez and Alianys Ayala.

Kiana Cintron and Frank Redente.

Elizaette Lopez and her son, Malachi. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Edgewood Dances Into The Week

Lucy Gellman, Editor, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

Rodney Hill extended his arms, kicking out his right foot as he scanned two dozen faces. He leaned to the left and began to count, shaking it out. Facing him, seventh grader Ja’mese Hunter studied his every move, her feet and arms already in motion. As Bill DeVoe’s “Poison” came pumping over a speaker, her pink croc slippers glowed in the sunshine.

Monday, Hill made a visit to Edgewood Creative Thinking through STEAM Magnet School before “Nuttin’ But A Word,” a performance of Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater (RHPM) at the Yale Schwarzman Center (YSC) on Tuesday night. RHPM is a group dedicated to “street dance theater”—dance that has originated in the streets, rather than a studio or conservatory. For students like Ja’mese, it marked a chance to get out of one of kind of classroom, and step into another.

It is part of a growing initiative of the Schwarzman Center to engage with New Haven schools (as it has with Cooperative Arts & Humanities and Wilbur Cross High Schools), as well as artists and organizations in the city. That’s also the inspiration behind its “Everybody Dances” series, which brings in New Haven artists to teach and opens classes to the community once a week.

“Experiential education is just about the best methodology for how we learn,” said Edgewood Principal Nick Perrone, who watched the beginning of the class. “By providing these experiences, we are hoping to connect children with a passion that they can develop.”

“We want them to be able to say, ‘This was really fun, I want to go into schools and work with kids,’” he added. “Or, ‘I want to take this new style and do something different with it.’” Monday, that rang true for Ja’mese, from the first steps to a finished routine, complete with DeVoe’s earwormy vocals. Hill talked students through a warmup, his limbs suddenly loose, and she shook it out in time with him. He brought his arms to their full wingspan, and her arms rose instantly, in sync. Beside Hill, dancer Maggie Waller pumped her arms in a green sweatshirt.

“So we want to go—” he stepped left, dropping his shoulder as he moved, and students copied the motion. “Yeah—” He stepped right and did it again, sinking into his knees. In the first three rows, students didn’t take their eyes off of Hill. When he strutted backyards, the group exploded in a delighted, cacophonous “Ayyyyy!”

“Alright?” he said, and his feet went momentarily airborne, then found their place back on the asphalt. “Let me see that real quick! Five, six, seven, let’s go!” Following along in the front row, Ja’mese

made it her own, pumping her feet so fast it looked as though she was skipping in place, or jumping an invisible rope. She threw out her arms, bringing them back in as her knees bent and she moved backwards. On Hill’s count of "five!," a delighted cry of “It’s the Nae Nae!” went up from somewhere in the group.

Hill smiled, and the ease of it seemed to radiate through the rows of students. He gave a small nod of acknowledgement.

“It’s the Nae Nae y’all!” Hill said, still in motion. “Let’s try it again!”

As students started from the top, Ja’mese said that it reminded her of her training with Elite Drill Squad & Drum Corps, where she does majorette after school and on the weekends. She added that was excited to see moves that aren’t always considered dance—hip hop, breaking, popping and locking, for instance—fit neatly into the routine.

“I love it!” she said. “It’s an escape from reality, especially when I get to do it during school.”

As the sun rose higher over the sprawl of asphalt, rows of her peers mastered the choreography, adding onto it one handful of steps at a time. When Hill flipped the music on, they clapped in time with the beat, stretching out their arms before their legs caught up. Hill called out a count, and they picked it up, turning in place as his voice—“six - seven - eight!”—sailed over the music. They criss-crossed their feet, shoulders bouncing. They sank into their knees and walked back, this time with a more certain, sun-soaked swagger. A few laughed, not dropping the moves for a moment. On the outskirts of the group, capoeira teacher Lisa Bergmann watched, beaming. “Turn, turn, turn,” Hill said, hands making a spinning motion as Waller buzzed around the group, checking in on students who needed extra assistance. “Turn turn turn—” he jumped to his left, and then to the right just as quickly. “Side! Side!”

Back in the front row, Ja’mese—now in only her socks, crocs pushed away and neatly arranged on the asphalt—hadn’t missed a beat. Beside her, fellow student Max Tomlin said she was also excited to have the opportunity to learn dance during the school day. Both she and Ja’mese take Bergmann’s capoeira class, an elective that ESSER Funds covered this year. “I feel good!” Max said. Just feet away from her, Hill was thinking through the next steps of the dance. He looked up and smiled at the group, and got ready to take it from the top.

“Okay,” he said. “Let’s start from the beginning.”

Lucy Gellman Photos.

Students Read For The Win

The following write-up was submitted by New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) spokesperson Justin Harmon about Monday’s celebration of Supt. Madeline Negrón’s Reading Challenge.

Student winners of the Superintendent’s Reading Challenge gathered for breakfast with Dr. Madeline Negrón and Clifford, the Big Red Dog, at John C. Daniels School on Monday.

The month-long competition spurred elementary school students to read as much as they could, and the results were striking. Altogether, students increased their reading time from 250,000 minutes in the month of March to 1.6 million minutes during April. Seventy percent of elementary students participated in the challenge. Students at John C. Daniels School spent the most time reading of any school in the district. First-grader Sarah Chevalier Rivera and eighth-grader Payton Erodici earned top honors at their grade levels, as did Natividad Mendez and Amanda Wheeler’s first grade classes, Diana Colon and Katherine Massa’s second-grade students, Jessica Andino and Erin McElhone’s fourth-grade students, and Brittany Bowdren and Aida Vales’ seventh- and eighth-grade students. Daniels’ fourth

graders led the school, as did third-graders Julian Cordova and Dean Ngyuen and fourth-grader Olivia Diaz. The school boasts a 1,000 minute club for its biggest readers.

Worthington Hooker School is home to the district-wide reading champion: seventh grader Sanchita Dollin. Kindergartener Ethan Robert, sixth grader Dulansa Iappu Hannadige, and Heleni Koutsaplis’ sixth grade class all won at their grade levels.

Mauro Sheridan School second grader Lennox Byam and third grader Dante Vazquez, as well as Julia Anthony’s third grade, led the district at their grade levels. Other grade-level winners included prekindergartner Tyson Roberts of Obama School, fourth-grader Dina Ishiyango of Truman School, and fifth-grader Mouhamed Richardson of Celentano School. Kudos to Elizabeth Reyes’ pre-kindergarten class at Ross Woodward School, Carol Boynton’s kindergarten class at Edgewood School, and Jennifer Seiden’s fifth-grade class at Bishop Woods, who also won grade-level honors.

“Remember to keep reading!” exclaimed Dr. Negrón at the end of the event.

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO District award winner Sanchita Dollin (center) with librarian Kim Rogers, Clifford, NHPS Supt. Madeline Negrón, and Scholastic's Liz Price.

Ceremony Celebrates “Geneva Pollock Way”

by LISA REISMAN

Geneva Pollock showed up.

She showed up for the three generations of students she taught English to at Jackie Robinson Middle School; for the neighbors she met on her Newhallville doorknocking tours; for anyone she heard had lost a loved one and was grieving.

On a brisk, grey morning, 125 people showed up to honor the legacy of Pollock, who died in May 2020 at 76 years old, with a street corner renaming.

The four-foot-nine dynamo who grew up picking cotton in Alabama went on to become “a teacher, a ward co-chair, an usher, a mother and grandmother, a friend, my friend, and so much more,” said Claudine Wilkins-Chambers, as she waited for the street renaming ceremony to begin. “She did so much for so many of us.” That corner renaming ceremony took place on Sunday.

Last November, the Board of Alders unanimously voted to rename the corner of Thompson Street and Shelton Avenue “Geneva Pollock Way.”

“Certain teachers leave an everlasting impression on you and she was one of them,” said her former student, Newhallville/Dixwell/Prospect Hill Alder Troy Streater, who spent much of his reelection campaign last summer stumping for signatures to have the street named after her. “She didn’t play any games. She wanted us to learn, to have respect for each other, to make something of our lives. I think I am the man I am today because of her.”

For Steve Winter, who stepped down as Prospect Hill/Newhallville/Dixwell alder in December 2022 to become the city’s climate czar, the former ward co-chair

“was a wonderful neighbor and a real mentor to me when I was getting started as an alder,” he said. “She taught me that people in this neighborhood, you gotta go out and check in with them.”

Her daughter Muntega Belton recalled her fierce loyalty to her neighborhood.

“When people asked, ‘How come you live in Newhallville?’ she said, ‘I could buy a house anywhere I want to, but I worship in this neighborhood, I work in this neighborhood, and I’m going to live in this neighborhood,’” she said.

For Dyamond Myers, Pollock’s granddaughter, “it was about grace. She taught me always to have grace and compassion

for others because you never know what other people are going through,” she said, amid the chirping of birds. “When people drive by and see her name, we hope they will be encouraged and uplifted to carry out her passionate, caring, and selfless ways.”

Of the various ministries she served over her 50 years at Community Baptist Church, Senior Pastor Philippe E.C. Andal said his favorite was as his church nurse, an honorary position that involves caring for a person’s spirit as well as their physical well-being. “She would make sure I had what was needed, and she would bring along things for my comfort

like handkerchiefs and peppermints and tea,” he said.

“She was the head usher at Community Baptist, but she was known as New Haven’s usher because she served all churches throughout the city and also the state,” he said. “Anytime there was a funeral, anywhere, you’d call her and she’d have her white usher outfit on, and she’d be there, comforting grieving families.”

Cheryl Atkinson said she grew up in Newhallville and raised her family and grandchildren there. “Geneva was a big part of everything, the school, the church, the community,” she said, amid a few stray raindrops in the cool air. “I miss her

because no matter what I needed her to do for me, she was always there.”

At the conclusion of Sunday’s ceremony, a group of childhood friends congregated on the corner of Shelton and Thompson where they had grown up with Pollock’s daughter Muntega. Among them was Nancy Jordan, a student in Pollock’s eighth-grade class who would go on to serve under her former teacher on the usher board. “She was strict, but also very positive and encouraging, even as I got older,” she said. “You just felt like she saw you, and when she saw you, you mattered.”

By then, the countdown for the unveiling was beginning.

There was a problem. The covering on the sign wouldn’t come entirely off. “We gotta get that down,” said someone, later identified as Belton’s cousin Barbara Mincey. “Maybe the wind will blow it,” suggested Kaprice Miller, Belton’s friend. “Alright now,” someone else called out when Milton Johnson, a family friend, produced a tree branch and coaxed it off. The crowd cheered.

“That’s Newhallville style,” said Pastor Aaron Moody, a cousin of Pollock’s. Another of Pollock’s relatives, Andrea Downer, a city Board of Education member, stood at a remove, observing the festivities.

“I’m part of a legacy of service in Newhallville that goes back to my great grandfather Bishop Austin Atkinson,” she said, referring to the pastor of Pitts Chapel from 1942 to 1974. He has his own corner named for him, as do her great aunts Mattie Atkinson Darden and Mother Mary Etta Atkinson Joyner, and her cousin General Bishop Elijah Davis, Jr.

“Seeing it makes me proud,” she said, regarding the newly unveiled sign among the trees budding on Shelton Avenue. “It makes me want to keep it going.”

Biden-Harris Administration Showcases Historic Infrastructure Progress During Infrastructure Week

As Infrastructure Week unfolds, the administration is urging bipartisan cooperation and continued congressional support for key programs, such as the Affordable Connectivity Program.

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent@StacyBrownMedia

As the Biden-Harris Administration launches Infrastructure Week, White House officials are hailing significant strides made under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, highlighting transformative outcomes spurred by the administration’s robust infrastructure investments.

“President Biden is delivering an ‘Infrastructure Decade’ that will benefit communities for generations to come,” remarked a senior administration official, emphasizing the long-term impact of the administration’s initiatives. The White House recently released an updated map that displays over 56,000 infrastructure projects and awards

that span communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, territories, and tribal lands, which highlights the scope of these efforts.

“These projects represent a tangible manifestation of our commitment to rebuilding America’s infrastructure and enhancing its competitiveness,” stated a White House spokesperson.

With nearly $454 billion allocated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the administration has made significant headway in addressing critical infrastructure needs, including road and bridge repairs, clean water access, and internet connectivity, the White House noted in a fact sheet. “We’re seeing the results of our investments on the ground, from improved roads and bridges to expanded internet access for millions of

Americans,” noted a senior administration official.

Key achievements highlighted by the administration include the repair of over 165,000 miles of roads and the launch of more than 9,400 bridge repair projects, enhancing roadway safety and connectivity. “Investments in clean transit options have been a priority, with nearly 3,000 transit buses and over 5,000 clean school buses funded to date,” emphasized a White House official.

Efforts to modernize airports and air traffic facilities have also been emphasized, with nearly $15 billion allocated for airport upgrades nationwide. “Our focus is not just on rebuilding infrastructure but on modernizing it to meet the needs of the 21st century,” stated a senior administration official.

Moreover, the administration has prioritized environmental sustainability, investing in initiatives to address legacy pollution and promote clean energy deployment. “Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is supporting critical environmental remediation efforts, including the cleanup of Superfund and brownfield sites,” The White House noted.

As Infrastructure Week unfolds, the administration is urging bipartisan cooperation and continued congressional support for key programs, such as the Affordable Connectivity Program. “Extending funding for programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program is essential to ensuring equitable access to essential services for all Americans,” emphasized a senior administration official.

LISA REISMAN PHOTO

Well-wishers gathered Sunday for Sister Geneva.

The new haven independent

NEIGHBORHOOD

“Mini Y” Envisioned For West Rock Kids

by ALLAN APPEL

What if a West Rock community center had an art and music space combined with a recording studio? And a gym and boxing area for fitness and a playground for little kids? And an expanded library and upgraded computer center?

Those items and more were very much on a wish list in formation as young New Haveners gathered to look ahead to a future, expanded 295 Wilmot Rd. Family Center.

That 25-year-old building is fairly dilapidated now and struggling with insufficient facilities to serve an estimated 1,000 young people in the heart of the Housing Authority of New Haven’s otherwise rehabilitated West Rock communities of Brookside, Rockview, and Twin Brook.

Two dozen kids from those adjacent enclaves were attending a career training session on Thursday to both prepare for this summer’s Youth at Work job assignments and at the same time to begin to focus on their own short- and long-term life goals.

“Exactly what a Y is” for other communities a kind of all-purpose place for fun, health, training, and supportive services said HANH’s Director of Community Economic Development LaToya Mills, is precisely what they would like to see reborn in their building.

With a recently scored $3 million federal grant, augmenting HANH’s own $2 million, the question of how to turn the smallish, concrete-block current building into a kind of well-lit, welcoming, all-purpose “mini Y” filled the old hallways on a bright Thursday afternoon with a special sense of celebration and optimism.

You could sense it in the “visioning” session that staffer Taisha Franklin was running: getting the kids to write out goals, short term and long, and then to create “vision boards,” with those expressed goals decorated with augmenting, motivational images cut from magazines, a kind of collage for self direction to hang in each person’s room to help guide their actions.

The Osei-Bonsu sisters, Rachael and Elaine, certainly were buying into the idea.

This Black-owned ice cream brand

by Abu Mubarik, Face2FaceAfrica.com

Baldwin Richardson Foods is a global manufacturer of custom ingredients for the food and beverage industries. Since its establishment in 1921 as Baldwin Ice Cream in Chicago, the brand has evolved into a food giant.

It is one of the largest black familyowned businesses in the food industry. Today, it is responsible for filling in Kellogg’s Nutri-Gain bars for North America besides manufacturing pancake syrups, syrups for flavored coffee and savory sauces, according to the Chicago Tribune. Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, the company also has manufacturing facilities in Macedon and Williamson, New York. It employs 370 people and produces nearly 300 million pounds of food annually.

“And sundae toppings, … any sweet goods,” said Cara Hughes, Baldwin Rich-

Elaine, already a top student at Career High School, has her eye on a medical career when she begins college in the fall (either at UCONN or Howard), so she was cutting out images of little babies, although she wasn’t quite sure if her goal is to become an OB/GYN doc or a pediatrician.

Meanwhile her little sister, and Career High School freshman, Rachael, was keeping it more general as she cut out a picture of the Eiffel Tower from The New Yorker. “I want to be rich and to travel,” she declared, revealing that she’d

already saved up $500 for her adventures “Wait,” called out Franklin. We’re distinguishing between short term and long term goals. A long term goal is to graduate from college. A short term goal is to help your parents, for example, to pay a bill.

“Becoming a billionaire?” she inflected the sentence into a question for the group, but with an eye on Rachael. “Goals are not the same as dreams.”

New Haven Academy freshman Isaac Mateo got Franklin’s idea as well, although he deferred helping his mom pay

some of her bills until after he lives in a mansion, which success will be made possible by a successful career as a football player.

“Please put in there,” he told a reporter whom he kindly permitted to read his worksheet over the shoulder, “that I want to become a better Christian as well.”

Another young man, currently working in the center’s offices (and clearly saving his money) wowed his colleagues by saying he’d already fulfilled an important shorter term goal.

Seventeen-year-old Jayden Thompson had bought a car, making it easier to get to his jobs. Actually two used cars, he added. One serviceable old Toyota for work and another car for private, more special occasions.

As the kids nibbled on the pizza slices provided, and continued to fill out their worksheets and vision boards, the room broke into quiet applause.

Mills estimated that easily 80 percent of the young people in Brookside, Rockview, and Twin Rock developments participate in programs at the building, which can grow very cramped on busy days. Also other local organizations key to the community, such as the leadership-training Solar Youth, used to have headquarters at 295 Wilmot Rd. However, scheduling conflicts and serious roof leaks, among other issues, have resulted in their having to find space elsewhere.

Mills said she’d like to have them back, all under a wonderful, secure new roof. Sessions to solicit more specific community input are scheduled for the coming months.

was founded over 100 years ago and still going strong

ardson Foods Co.’s Vice President of Customer and Community. “We have our own retail brands too, including Nance’s mustards and condiments and Mrs. Richardson’s Sundae toppings, which you can

buy in the grocery store.”

“In the food industry, we call those liquid food products,” said Hughes’ sister Erin Tolefree, president of Baldwin Richardson Foods Co.

The company also helps brands looking for help to enhance their products and/or find or fill holes in their consumer marketing. Additionally, restaurant chains, consumer packaged goods brands, and retailers carry its products.

The journey to founding Baldwin Richardson Foods began when Hughes and Tolefree’s father Eric Johnson left Johnson Products to start his own business. In 1992, Johnson acquired the black-owned Baldwin Ice Cream Co., which was started in 1921 by seven African American postal workers and was based in Chicago. Baldwin Ice Cream Co. grew from a single ice cream parlor at 53rd and State streets to become a product sold in grocery stores around the country, the Chicago Tribune noted.

By 1997, Johnson had bought Richardson Foods, creating Baldwin Richardson Foods, and the new company moved from a retail business selling directly to consumers into a retail and food service

ingredient company with strong relationships with well-known quick-service restaurants and coffeehouses in America.

Today, Baldwin Richardson Foods is giving back to the black community by establishing scholarships at Massachusettsbased Babson College (Johnson’s alma mater) and Spelman College (Hughes and Tolefree’s alma mater).

Tolefree stated, “We intentionally haven’t limited any of the scholarships to food because our objective is to foster entrepreneurs who will enter their communities and establish the next Baldwin Richardson Foods, employing hundreds of people and generating opportunities.”

The Johnson family is paying it forward by funding the next generation of black leaders, according to Tolefree. “If they go into communities and launch their own businesses and can employ people, it’s an amplifier effect,” she said. “That’s the piece that got us in—what the business enables in the lives of others.”

ALLAN APPEL PHOTO Rachael and Elaine Osei-Bonsu at the Wilmot Road "visioning" workshop.

The new haven independent

Kimberly Square Gets Time Of Day

by LAURA GLESBY

A clock unveiling at Kimberly Square was running late — until Rafael Flores ran across the street with a ladder, right on time.

Flores had been watching from his barber shop, Hall of Fame Barber Shop, as small crowd of 30 city officials and Hill stalwarts gathered at the triangular island of Kimberly Square for a press conference on Monday afternoon.

They had convened to celebrate the installation of a long-awaited clock on that island, named after two longtime advocates for a closer-knit community in the Hill.

The only problem? The top of the twosided clock remained covered in black plastic, too high up for anyone present to reach.

City Engineer Giovanni Zinn got on the phone. “I need a step ladder,” he said into the receiver.

“You guys need a ladder?” Flores called out from across the street. He sprinted into the barber shop and promptly emerged with a folding ladder, ferrying it over to a chorus of applause from the press conference attendees.

It was that very spirit of neighbors helping neighbors that the group had gathered

to honor that afternoon.

The clock, which members of the Hill South Community Management Team decided to sponsor back in 2015, features a plaque commemorating two longtime

The pair of friends collaborated as fierce advocates for their neighborhood. Dye and his wife, Martha, would host block parties and cookouts in their backyard. They would organize buses to take local kids to the Long Wharf waterfront, community cleanups, and road races, where the kids would be tasked with distributing water bottles to runners. DiLauro would frequently lend financial support to these kinds of initiatives, Dye said, in addition to serving as his co-conspirator on the neighborhood’s management team.

“They were wonderful friends,” said Mary Ellen DiLauro, Vincent’s wife. “They were trouble,” she added with a smile.

Square area, which is why it took nearly 10 years for the clock to materialize. More upgrades for the intersection are planned for 2024, according to Zinn, including raised intersections, improved crosswalks, and a cycle track.

“Every time I’m gonna drive by this clock, I’m gonna think of Mr. DiLauro, of you Mr. Dye, and of my upbringing here in the Hill,” said Livable City Initiative project manager Jeffrey Moreno, a former Hill neighborhood specialist who helped bring the clock to fruition.

The clock signifies that “the Hill is strong and the Hill is vocal,” said Mayor Justin Elicker.

friends and community leaders: 83-yearold Johnny Dye (also known as the “mayor” or “godfather” of the Hill) and the late Vin DiLauro, who owned the nearly 100-year-old Columbus Auto Shop.

The management team came up with the idea for the Kimberly Square clock in 2015. They decided to utilize a $10,000 grant from the Neighborhood Public Improvement Program, a city initiative that, until 2020, allotted each management team in the city funds to spend via a resident-led budgeting process. The Hill South management team decided to fund what they hoped would become a “historic icon,” said Hill Alder Kampton Singh. Singh and Livable City Initiative Director Arlevia Samuel said that the city waited to install the clock until some street improvements were made to the Kimberly

As the press conference came to a close, Zinn carefully climbed up the ladder and used a giant pair of scissors to clear away the plastic, revealing a double-sided clock with roman numerals, the New Haven seal, and the words “Hill South” emblazoned on each side atop the face.

“God bless everyone,” said Dye. “All my neighbors and all my future neighbors.” Across the street, a few people recorded the scene on their phones.

Flores said he didn’t know of the people honored on the clock, but that he appreciated the new landmark across from his barber shop: “It’s something nice for the community.”

Mayor Justin Elicker with Johnny Dye.

Child Advocate Report Cites Vernon Schools Over Adult Sexual Misconduct Incidents

by Jamil Ragland

HARTFORD, CT – The Office of the Child Advocate released a report this week detailing multiple failures of the Vernon Public School district and the Department of Children and Families in dealing with allegations of adult sexual misconduct.

The report was in response to a complaint received by the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in July 2022 detailing sexual harassment of a student outside of Vernon Public Schools by a VPS staff member. The staff member, who is not named in the report or supporting documents, was providing coaching services in an outside district when the harassment occurred.

According to the report, the unnamed faculty member was a physical education teacher who had worked for VPS since 2000. The allegations stated that the teacher had exchanged “explicit and suggestive” text messages with the student between late 2021 and early 2022, when the student was 17 years old. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) conducted an investigation at the time and substantiated the claims of abuse. No formal charges were filed, and the teacher resigned from Vernon Public Schools.

The complaint also alleged that the staff member had committed other instances of harassment of students in the Vernon school district, and that the district had failed to conduct a timely investigation into those prior allegations. OCA investigators viewed the teacher’s file, and concluded that although there were no instanc

es of adult sexual misconduct in his file, after OCA reviewed DCF records there had been multiple allegations of sexual harassment and/or inappropriate behavior toward students made against the teacher by students enrolled in the district. The report details five different incidents involving the teacher that stretch back to 2003, with most occurring since 2020.

“OCA identified widespread deficiencies in the district’s compliance with Title IX and other requirements for the prevention and response to child sexual harassment or abuse,” wrote State Child Advocate Sarah Eagan.

Despite receiving multiple complaints about the teacher from students, and the superintendent acknowledging to OCA investigators that there had been multiple complaints, the Vernon school district never opened its own investigation into the teacher’s conduct, which is required under Title IX. Additionally, when OCA asked the Vernon school district for any other Title IX investigations it had conducted, the district responded that there had been none in the last five years. When pressed further, the district produced documentation regarding two separate investigations it had conducted outside of the Title IX framework.

However, OCA investigators reviewed DCF records and found that more than two staff members had been accused of adult sexual misconduct by individuals reaching out to the DCF Careline. The time period in which Vernon schools claims to

includes the case of former staff member Christian Stevenson, who was arrested in September 2021 on multiple felonies including second degree possession of child pornography and voyeurism with a child under 16 years of age. Stevenson was accused of taking “upskirt images taken surreptitiously of underage students inside the school” and “hundreds of photos, often focusing on the buttocks, chest and crotch of young female students, taken in Rockville High School.”

ing a working Title IX system…leads OCA to conclude that the District is likely in substantial non-compliance with its obligations under federal law to prevent and appropriately respond to concerns of sexual harassment and sexual abuse of children enrolled in the District,” the OCA report states.

In response to the investigation conducted by OCA, the Vernon Public School instituted several new policies, including revising its sexual harassment reporting

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offering new trainings to staff regarding adult sexual misconduct, human trafficking, and Title IX requirements, and seeking additional feedback from students in surveys regarding bullying and harrassment.

The report also included recommendations for DCF to improve its process of investigating adult sexual misconduct in schools, noting that “such investigations are typically facility and staff oriented and may be very different than investigations into family-based caregiver misconduct.”

DCF created a specialized unit, the Educational Professionals Investigation Unit, to respond to calls it receives to its Careline.

“The Department appreciates the unique nature of investigations conducted by the Educational Professionals Investigation Unit (EPIU) and is finalizing policy and training specific to this work, which will be governed by the Department’s existing statutory authority related to abuse and neglect investigations,” DCF said in a statement. “Likewise, the Department also appreciates the intent of [the recommendation] related to training and oversight for the EPIU. The EPIU was created in 2020 for the purpose of centralizing all school personnel investigations under one statewide management structure to standardize practice and procedures for these specialized investigations.”

Vernon Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An appointment is necessary. Please call 855-547-4584.

In light of COVID-19, patients may call 855-547-4584 any time during regular weekday hours to speak with a counselor on the phone.

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Schools Seek White/Suburban Students

by MAYA MCFADDEN

New Haven is hustling to find more white, Asian, and suburban kids for three inter-district magnet schools or else face a potential fine for having too many students enrolled who are Black, Hispanic, and from the city.

Those three “segregated” schools, as defined by the state, are Metropolitan Business Academy, Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School, and Hill Regional Career High School.

During a special online-only meeting on Wednesday, the Board of Education unanimously voted to apply for a $15 million grant from the federal Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) to assist efforts to diversify those three schools.

The three schools do not currently comply with one or both of two state “desegregation” requirements for magnet schools, which receive extra money from the state as part of a decades-long effort to build a racially integrated public education system that relies on busing students from town to town.

One such requirement is a “residency standard” that mandates that no more than 75 percent of students at an interdistrict magnet school come from a single participating district. Translation: Only three-quarters of students at these schools can live in New Haven.

The other is a “reduced-isolation setting” that requires that no fewer than a combined 25 percent of a magnet school’s students be white or Asian, and not Black or Hispanic.

During the pandemic, the state didn’t enforce these requirements, meaning that New Haven schools weren’t financially punished for being out of step with these magnet-school “desegregation” rules. Those requirements, and associated penalties, could take effect again next school year. However, that means New Haven could be on the financial hook for a dollar amount the district does not yet know if it doesn’t find a way to attract more white, Asian, and suburban students to these three schools.

New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) Supervisor of Magnet Grant Programs

Michele Bonanno presented the board with data on Wednesday about how far out of compliance each of the three schools are, as well as a five-year plan the district has created to address the issue.

As of Oct. 1, 2023, student enrollment data collected by the state showed the following:

• At Betsy Ross, only 12 percent of students are not Black or Hispanic, well below the state’s 25 percent minimum; that school also includes 70 percent

of students who are from New Haven, which is in line with the state’s 75 percent maximum;

• At Career, 11.1 percent of students are not Black or Hispanic, and 75.4 percent are from New Haven;

• At Metro, 13.3 percent of students are not Black or Hispanic, and 75 percent are from New Haven.

Last Wednesday’s vote followed an April 22 approval by the school board to pay $75,000 to a consulting group called American Education Solutions to help plan, write, review, edit and revise a drafted MSAP federal grant proposal.

Bonanno said NHPS has received over $100 million of magnet school assistance funding over the past 20 years from the U.S Department of Education for its 15 inter-district magnet schools. Those funds have gone in part to help create new magnet schools in the city, she said.

The $15 million grant application at the center of Wednesday’s meeting is designed to support these three New Haven magnet schools that currently do not meet the state’s residency and/or “reduced-isolation” rules.

This isn’t the first time a New Haven magnet school has faced a potential financial penalty from the state for not having enough white or suburban students. In 2018, the district closed Cort-

landt V.R. Creed High School due to this very issue of being too “segregated.”

To compete for the MSAP pot of funding, NHPS had to create a plan for how it would work to recruit more suburban students. This plan also had to be submitted to the state education commissioner, whose department requires a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to be established by districts that are out of compliance with residency and racialintegration rules. Such a plan is required before the state releases all relevant funding to inter-district magnet schools. The plan presented by Bonanno Wednesday included the revising of each of the three school’s themes to offer more rigorous programming and offer distinct career pathways through new or expanded academies.

The plan to increase suburban student enrollment is primarily focused on working with committed partners who have already provided the district with letters of support to establish career pathways at the three schools.

The plan proposes splitting Betsy Ross into two career academies: one focused on supporting students’ interests in performing arts, visual arts, and communication, another on supporting students’ interests in media design, special effects, and animation.

Under this same plan, Career’s cur-

If the city’s school district is awarded the $15 million federal grant, those funds would be allocated to addressing the residency concerns at the three schools over the next five years.

That amount would cover getting dedicated magnet resource teachers at each school to support the expanded programming, and hiring a central office internship and workforce development advisor to support seniors in getting internships in their career pathway.

The MASP funding also requires the district to send a team from each school to an annual project directors meeting in Washington, D.C Those costs, as well as project-based learning supplies and equipment and contracts with partners like Yale to certify EMT students, are included in the total.

Board of Education member Matt Wilcox asked how school staff were included in the grant planning process. Bonanno said as soon as the district learned of the funding opportunity, she and Supervisor of College & Career Pathways Dina Natalino began meeting with leadership teams at the schools starting in February. This allowed for the team to work with school leadership to learn about what each school imagines for its pathway themes and expressed interest in specific partners.

rent pathways for students looking to work in the fields of health and science and business technology would remain. They would be expanded, however, to include pathways for nursing and broader health and science offerings that would give students the chance to obtain EMT, CNA, and phlebotomy certifications. The school would also add a forensic science pathway in partnership with the University of New Haven. And it would partner with Southern Connecticut State University to make available up to 30 college credits before graduation through Career’s business and technology pathway.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Business Academy would be divided into four new academies that would each enroll up to 25 new freshmen each year. Those academies would respectively focus on business and communication; digital media and technology; law, leadership, and public service; and education and leadership. The educators pathway would provide access for students to prepare for the paraprofessionals test.

Additional plans to attract students of different backgrounds, Bonanno said, would include strengthening current recruitment efforts with increased funding and allowing for the proposed career pathways to be offered to all students at the schools.

When discussing the reduced isolation requirements, Bonanno also informed the board that “the New Haven delegation worked very hard a few years back to waive the financial fine that comes to districts when we are out of compliance.”

The state therefore waived the 75-percent-maximum residency requirement, and associated fines, each school year during the pandemic.

“Currently we could be under the circumstances that if we don’t do something at these schools, we could face financial penalty if the residency standard is not met,” she said.

NHPS spokesperson Justin Harmon said potential future penalty costs would be determined based on the district’s upcoming fall enrollment as of October 1, 2024.

According to Harmon, the guidance provided to the district from the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) stated that the state waived the residency requirement each year during Covid, including for this current 2023 – 2024 school year. “There could be a point when this waiver will not be in place,” Harmon wrote. “CSDE will meet in the next few weeks to discuss the potential waiver for SY 2024 – 25. This could change for SY [School Year] 2024 – 25.”

MAYA MCFADDEN FILE PHOTO At a Career High class about race and America.

American Cancer Society Launches Largest-ever

By Stacy M. Brown

Study

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

The American Cancer Society is embarking on an unprecedented initiative spanning 20 states, including the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, to investigate the troubling disparities in cancer survival rates among Black women.

Despite overall declines in cancer deaths, Black women continue to face disproportionately high mortality rates, a phenomenon the organization aims to address through its newly unveiled VOICES of Black Women study.

“While cancer deaths have declined, Black women maintain a high death rate,” said Dr. Lauren McCullough, coprincipal investigator and visiting scientific director at the American Cancer Society, during a recent briefing.

“With few exceptions, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer, aggressive tumor types, and have higher cancer-specific mortality rates than other women,” McCullough added.

This disparity is especially pronounced in breast cancer, where Black women face a 40% higher mortality rate than white women despite having a lower rate of diagnosis by 4%.

Moreover, Black women are 60% more likely than white women to succumb to cervical cancer and nearly twice as likely to die from endometrial cancer.

The VOICES of Black Women study aims to enroll over 100,000 Black women aged 25 to 55, making it the country’s most significant endeavor of its kind.

Participants must be cancer-free upon enrollment and will be tracked for 30 years to examine the impact of medical history, lifestyle factors, and experiences of racism on cancer risk and mortality.

“To be eligible for the study, participants must live in one of the 20 states or Washington, D.C., which together account for more than 90% of the U.S. population of Black women ages 25 to 55,” McCullough clarified.

The initiative seeks to confront historical injustices in medical research, which have often excluded or exploited Black participants. McCullough referenced past instances of medical exploitation, including the Tuskegee experiment and the unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks’ cells. The study allows individuals to opt out of providing medical records, and their identities will remain confidential in published research. Officials said this would safeguard participants’ privacy and ensure ethical oversight,

A brief registration on the study’s website precedes a thorough survey covering medical history, lifestyle choices, and encounters with racism and discrimination.

Enrollment is open in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,

New Haven Public Schools

Programs for 3 and 4 Year Olds in New Haven

Free 6-hour early childhood programs for low-income New Haven families in the following New Haven Public Schools:

Dr Mayo Early Childhood School

Fair Haven School

Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration

Hill Central School

John Martinez Sea & Sky STEM School

Lincoln Bassett Community School

Truman School

Additional community locations also participate in the program.

Sliding scale, fee-based 6-hour early childhood programs for New Haven families in the following New Haven Public Schools:

Augusta Lewis Troup School

Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration

East Rock Community School

Hill Central School

Nathan Hale School

Additional community locations also participate in the program

any questions

Will be Accepting Applications

How to apply

The Office of Early Childhood will be accepting applications electronically beginning May 20th Parents of 3 and 4 year old's are encouraged to apply online.

What you will submit with your Application

1) Proof of Age

Child’s Birth Certificate, Passport OR Legal Custody/Guardianship Papers

2) Proof of Address

• Current utility bill (Gas, Electric, Phone, Cable) in your name

• Letter from leaseholder or homeowner along with a document listed above with their name on it

3) Proof of Income

• 2 months of Current & Consecutive pay stubs OR W-2 or 1040 Tax Return

• Budget Statement from the CT Department of Social Services or Social Security Office or Child Enforcement Bureau

•Notarized Statement indicating Parent is unemployed

• Additional forms may be requested

4) Proof of a Physical (within one year-to-date)

• CT Department of Education Early Childhood Health Assessment Record

• Anemia and lead level test results

•TB assessment

• Immunizations records

• Seasonal flu vaccination

• Health insurance card

5) Proof of a Dental Exam (within 6months-to-date)

Dental Exam record

Experts Weigh-in on Mounting Concerns of Impending U.S. Civil War

Dr. Ashley Robertson Preston, an assistant professor of history at Howard University and author of the acclaimed book “Mary McLeod Bethune the Pan-Africanist,” has detected a palpable shift in national sentiment.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

In the wake of a recent survey revealing startling apprehensions among American voters regarding the possibility of a second civil war, experts in history and political science offer sobering insights into the nation’s current trajectory. Dr. Ashley Robertson Preston, an assistant professor of history at Howard University and author of the acclaimed book “Mary McLeod Bethune the Pan-Africanist,” has detected a palpable shift in national sentiment.

When taking the pulse of America, Dr. Preston can’t help but to conclude that all hell is about to break loose. She emphasized the eerie parallels between contemporary tensions and the lead-up to the Civil War. “The tension that this nation is currently experiencing is very similar to what happened shortly before the Civil War,” Dr. Preston asserted. “As much as I want to say it can never happen again, history says something else. We will all just have to remain vigilant. History matters more than ever now.”

Michael Kazin, a renowned expert on American politics and social movements and a professor in the Department of History at Georgetown University, echoes Dr. Preston’s sentiments. While acknowledging the prevalence of civil conflicts over issues such as the Gaza conflict, the prosecution of Donald Trump, and contentious debates over abortion, Kazin refrains from predicting an imminent civil war.

“We are embroiled in various kinds of civil conflict now…I think we are a long way from that,” Kazin observed, highlighting the distinction between current societal divisions and the magnitude of a full-fledged civil war. “A civil war would be quite different. It would involve widespread armed confrontations, probably involving some elements of the U.S. military,” he added. “As long as elections, the courts, and Congress operate fairly normally, there can be no civil war.”

These expert assessments follow a Rasmussen Reports poll revealing that 41 percent of U.S. voters harbor concerns about the likelihood of a civil conflict erupting within the next five years. The Rasmussen Reports poll shows that 41 percent

of respondents foresee a civil conflict, compared to 49 percent believing it is not likely and 10 percent unsure. The alarming figure translates to approximately 106 million American adults anticipating a potential civil war scenario.

The survey findings coincide with escalating tensions on college campuses, where clashes between pro-Palestine protestors, law enforcement, conservative groups, and certain Jewish students have become increasingly common. Additionally, the popularity of the dystopian political action film “Civil War” by Alex Garland has fueled speculation about America’s susceptibility to violent upheaval.

Rasmussen analysts have emphasized

the looming specter of civil war, particularly amidst the divisive political landscape of an upcoming election year, which pits President Joe Biden against his predecessor Donald Trump. The historical parallels drawn to the devastating conflict of 1861–1865, where eleven southern states seceded from the Union over the issue of slavery, further exacerbate concerns among voters.

“The possibility that America could face another civil war soon is not too farfetched for a lot of voters,” remarked the pollsters regarding their findings, noting a significant correlation between demographic groups and their levels of apprehension. Specifically, women, younger adults, and non-white Americans exhib-

ited higher levels of concern regarding the potential outbreak of conflict. Furthermore, political affiliations played a notable role, with Republican voters expressing greater certainty in the likelihood of civil war compared to their Democratic counterparts.

The survey also probed respondents’ perceptions regarding the influence of the presidential election outcome on the probability of a civil conflict. Results indicated that 37 percent believed a Biden victory would increase the likelihood of war, while 25 percent held the same view in the event of a Trump triumph. A significant portion, comprising 30 percent of respondents, asserted that the election outcome would bear little influence on the likelihood of conflict, while 8 percent remained uncertain.

With the polarization and unrest plaguing the nation, protests on college campuses have served as flashpoints for ideological clashes between conservatives and liberals. Recent demonstrations opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza have elicited strong reactions, with conservative politicians denouncing protestors as radicals, Marxists, and anti-Semitic. These tensions underscore a widening fault line within American society.

Meanwhile, secessionist movements, particularly prominent in states like Texas, California, and Alaska, perceive the current climate as a harbinger of the chaos depicted in the film “Civil War.” The movie portrays a fractured United States plunged into armed conflict, with factions vying for control amid governmental collapse and authoritarianism.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley Calls on Biden-Harris Administration to Halt Deportations to Haitia

By Ashlee Banks | Special to the InnerCity News, courtesy of The Afro

Congressional Black Caucus members are putting pressure on the Biden-Harris administration to grant protections to Haitians fleeing to the U.S. amid the unrest in the Caribbean nation.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., told the AFRO the administration needs to stop deporting Haitians who are seeking refuge in the U.S.

“To deport anyone to Haiti right now is nothing short of a death sentence. The headlines may have faded, but this humanitarian crisis continues to worsen with every day,” said Pressley. “We’re not waning in our advocacy and in this fight –we’re going to keep fighting and holding everyone accountable to keep their word on behalf of the people of Haiti.”

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., also weighed in.

“To deport people back to Haiti is a cause and kiss of death,” she said in a statement.

“There is nothing in Haiti but suffering, so we have to say to the president of the United States, ‘stop the deportation.’”

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick, D-Fla. said in a statement obtained by the AFRO that “in the face of the crisis in Haiti, our moral compass and international duty compel us to step forward, not just to alleviate the immediate suffering of the Haitian people, but to address the systemic problems forcing Haitians to flee their homeland.”

In recent months, Haiti has seen an uptick in violence due to armed gangs targeting the nation’s police stations, airports and the country’s largest port, which has resulted in food insecurity.

Members have stressed that many Haitians are on the verge of starvation and it is essential that the Biden-Harris administration intervene.

The violence in the Caribbean nation comes as gang members have grown frustrated with the postponement of presidential elections following the 2021 assassi-

nation of President Jovenel Moïse. After Moïse’s death, Ariel Henry, who recently stepped down as Haiti’s prime minister, came into power and held the position for three years. Gang members believed Henry was abusing his authority and demanded he step down.

Last month, Henry resigned, and Haiti’s transitional council named Fritz Bélizaire as the country’s new prime minister in hopes of quelling the violence in the nation.

U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke, DN.Y., told the AFRO “Haiti deserves a democratic transition led by its own civil society. This right to self-government is inherent to every nation. It means that the Haitian people — not external forces — should decide the concepts of consent and sovereignty that guide their future.” Clarke added, “The United States can help repay a debt to Haiti by fostering a democratic transition that allows its people to freely determine their path.”

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., told the AFRO the administration needs to stop deporting Haitians who are seeking refuge in the U.S

To Grand

back and read a flurry of messages written on the bright orange paint. Growing up in Fair Haven, Mendez loved the neighborhood for its multicultural feel. So when she spotted the festival while taking her grandson to T Ball, it was a no brainer. “I always feel like I’m home” when she comes to Fair Haven, she said. “It’s like one big melting pot.”

Several yards away, a circus performer completed his act, and cheers went up from a semicircle that had formed around him. An ice cream vendor rolled through the space, stopping as customers pulled out wads of cash for scoops of mango and coconut.

From the stage, a gentle drumbeat became louder, insistent, announcing that Proyecto Cimarrón had arrived. As the sound of bomba rolled across the lot, a knot of kids made their way toward the stage.

Back on Grand Avenue, UConn freshman Kiana Cintron called the day a sort of full-circle moment. Growing up in Fair Haven, Cintron learned to love the neighborhood through her mom, Junta for Progressive Action’s Cheila Serrano.

As Junta’s “first baby”—Serrano was pregnant with her when she started working there, and there is a newsletter commemorating her birth—the organization “was my second home” for over a decade. By the time she got to high school, volunteering was baked into her DNA.

“It’s just my natural,” she said. After volunteering on Fair Haven Day last year, she came back as a paid consultant. Watching the festival grow has been a point of pride, she said.

Around her, the day had already brought in hundreds of people, and showed no sign of stopping. On stage, musicians from the Mariachi Academy of New England swayed through the space, a blur of bright color. As he walked the avenue, Fair Havener Emmy Rosario ducked in and out of vendor tents, still glowing from a performance of the Wilbur Cross High School marching band in that morning’s Mary Wade Parade.

He could hear music in every direction. Across from Key Foods, members of the Semilla Collective and Son Chaneques Rebeldes led an impromptu son jarocho workshop, bringing the musical traditions of Veracruz, Mexico to New Haven. As Javier Villatoro, Fatima Rojas and Mateo Cano held it down on jarana, Maria Puente cleared off a raised platform, and stepped up to provide the percussion.

Curious, Fair Havener Damian Charlton wandered over, picked up an instrument and joined in. He later said that joining in felt natural: he's musically inclined, and was excited to see a chance to play.

“We are doing this on the streets because we wanted it to be accessible to the people,” said Villatoro.

Escuelas Públicas de New Haven uelas Ha

ESTAREMOS

Programas para niños de 3 y 4 Años de edad en New Haven

Programas para la infancia temprana GRATUITOS de 6 horas para familias de bajos ingresos de New Haven en las siguientes escuelas públicas de New Haven:

Dr. Mayo Early Childhood School

Fair Haven School

Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration

Hill Central School

John Martinez Sea & Sky STEM School

Lincoln Bassett Community School

Truman School

Con lugares comunitarios adicionales que tambien participan en el programa

Programas de educación temprana de 6 horas con tarifa variable y de escala móvil para familias de New Haven en las siguientes escuelas públicas de New Haven:

Augusta Lewis Troup School

Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration

East Rock Community School

Hill Central School

Nathan Hale School

Con lugares comunitarios adicionales que tambien participan en el programa

dudas o preguntas

Para mas informacion contactar:

P a m e l a N g

Coordinadora de inscripción de Infancia Temprana Tel: 475-220-1440

pamela.ng@new-haven.k12.ct.us

La oficina de Registracion de Infancia Temprana esta ubicada

Oficina de Elección e Inscripción Escolar 54 Meadow St 1st Fl New Haven, CT 06519

ACEPTANDO APLICACIONES PARA EL CICLO ESCOLAR 2024-2025 !!!!!

Como aplicar: La Oficina de Infancia temprana aceptará solicitudes electrónicamente a partir del 20 de mayo Se anima a los padres de niños de 3 y 4 años a presentar su solicitud en línea.

Qué incluir en su inscripción:

1) Prueba de edad

• Certificado de nacimiento / Pasaporte del niño/a O

• Documentos legales de custodia / tutela

2) Prueba de dirección •Factura de servicio actual (gas, electricidad, teléfono) a su nombre •Formulario de declaración jurada de residencia

3) Demostración de ingresos

•2 meses de talonarios de pago actuales y consecutivos O W-2 o Formulario de impuestos 1040

• Declaración de presupuesto del Departamento de Servicios Sociales de CT, o de la Oficina del Seguro Social, o de la Oficina de Cumplimiento de Menores (Child Enforcement Bureau)

• Declaración ante notario indicando que el padre o la madre es desempleado/a

4) Físico (dentro del último año)

• Registro de evaluación de la salud del Departamento CT de educación de primera infancia

• Resultados de exámenes de anemia y plomo

• Evaluación TB

• Registros de inmunizaciones

• Vacunación de la gripe de estación

•Tarjeta de seguro de salud

5) Examen dental

• Registro de examen dental (dentro de los últimos 6 meses)

Jury awards $185K to teen who accused deputy of threatening him while filming mom’s arrest

by Francis Akhalbey, Face2FaceAfrica.com

ANew Orleans federal jury awarded $185,000 to a teenager who accused a sheriff’s deputy of threatening him while he filmed his mother’s forceful arrest in 2020. Per The Associated Press, Deputy Ryan Moring and his colleagues had gone to De’Shaun Johnson’s family home in St. Tammany Parish when the incident occurred.

Johnson was 14 at the time, and his mother Teliah Perkins’ arrest stemmed from allegations that she did not wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. The deputies went to their family home to question Perkins about the said allegations, but her attorneys said the charge that was later brought against her wasn’t

De’Shaun Johnson was awarded $185,000 after he accused a deputy of threatening him -- Images via Law & Crime

prosecuted as it did not hold any water.

The encounter was captured on video and it showed Perkins being tackled to the ground. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Reid Collins & Tsai law firm ultimately filed the lawsuit against the deputies. The lawsuit was also filed under the ACLU’s Justice Lab project, an initiative aimed at tackling police abuse allegations.

Several of the allegations brought against the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in the lawsuit were, however, dismissed by a federal appeals court. This largely narrowed the allegations of the deputies’ use of force. A green light was, however, given for litigation over claims that a deputy interfered when Johnson was filming his mother’s arrest with his

phone, The Associated Press reported. The ACLU claimed that when the teen started filming the arrest, a deputy stood in front of him and threatened the then 14-year-old with a Taser.

The jury on May 1 awarded Johnson the $185,000 after it determined that the deputy’s behavior caused “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

“We are thrilled to see justice served for De’Shaun,” Nora Ahmed, the ACLU of Louisiana’s legal director, said in response to the verdict.

“What happened to Ms. Perkins and her son was inexcusable, and as we face imminent threats to our rights to observe police in Louisiana, it is heartening that a jury of this officer’s peers chose to hold him accountable for his misconduct.”

Black Woman From NYC, Previously Incarcerated, Passes Bar Exam on First Try.

By BlackNews.com

Afrika Owes, an African American woman from New York City who was previously incarcerated, has turned her life around and even recently passed the New York Bar Exam on her first try. Her emotional reaction to her success was captured in a now-viral TikTok video that has garnered nearly 3 million views.

In the video, Owes, surrounded by her brother and best friend, anxiously checks her exam results online. When she reads the news, Owes can’t contain her excitement, shouting, “I passed! I passed!” before breaking down in tears of joy.

Owes, now 30 years old, shared her story proudly, highlighting her journey as a formerly incarcerated single mother achieving this milestone. Owes expressed gratitude to her family, saying, “Thank you

to my angels, my momma, my grandma.

Thank you for my son, my brother, my family and my tribe.”

Her journey to becoming a lawyer was deeply rooted in childhood aspirations, inspired by her late mother Karen Owes’ community advocacy in Harlem.

However, her path wasn’t straightforward. At the age of 17, she got involved in a gang and was arrested and charged with conspiracy and weapons possession. Despite that, she remained determined to pursue her dreams.

After serving a short time and completing college under probation, Owes strived to turn her life around with the unwavering support of her loved ones in Harlem. Her success is particularly notable given the low pass rates among Black bar exam takers compared to their white counterparts.

“I strayed from my path, but they made sure that I got right back on track. They didn’t judge me, and they never let me go,” Owes said, according to ABC News. “I want my story to be a testament to that, for communities as well, that everybody makes mistakes.”

Owes, currently a third-year student at Fordham University School of Law, plans to graduate soon and hopes to specialize in tax law. Owes hopes her journey inspires others to pursue their dreams, showing that obstacles can be overcome.

“It can feel very isolating on this journey and I wanted people to know they are not alone and that I’m here,” Owes said.

“And if I’m that one catalyst that shows you that you do belong, then I hope that that continues to push you on your journey.”

Stevie Wonder‘s 74th birthday crowned with Ghanaian citizenship

By Stephen Nartey, Face2FaceAfrica.com

Legendary singer Stevie Wonder had one of his wishes fulfilled when he celebrated his 74th birthday as he was granted citizenship in Ghana. During his visit to the country on Monday, he received the Certificate of Citizenship by Registration from Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House in Accra.

Wonder’s acquisition of Ghanaian citizenship comes on the back of his longstanding desire to relocate to the country. Traditionally, Ghanaian nationality is granted to individuals born to Ghanaian parents or permanent residents who have lived there

for a specified period.

Wonder first hinted at his intention to move to Ghana in 1994, citing what he considered favorable conditions. He reiterated his sentiments to relocate once again in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where he voiced out his desire to leave the U.S. due to racial tensions.

With his Ghanaian citizenship, Wonder is now fulfilling his aspirations of living abroad. In a clip showing the legendary singer, he is warmly welcomed by drum players.

He joined the celebration and participated in the playing of the drums. He expressed commitment to work with musical talent and improve cultural exchange through music programs.

Wonder’s decision to obtain citizenship in Ghana reflects a growing trend among celebrities seeking citizenship abroad.

Numerous other stars have pursued similar paths for diverse reasons. Actress Tiffany Haddish gained citizenship in Eritrea, her father’s birthplace, in 2019. Tina Turner became a Swiss citizen in 2013 after residing in Switzerland for two decades, relinquishing her U.S. citizenship.

Rapper Ludacris and actor Samuel L. Jackson both became citizens of Gabon; Ludacris in 2020, motivated by his wife’s Gabonese heritage, and Jackson through genealogical ties to the country’s Benga tribe.

Stevie Wonder received the Certificate of Citizenship by Registration from Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House in Accra. Photo: Ghana Ministry of The Interior

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

NOTICE

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

Construction

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Contact: Tom Dunay

Phone: 860- 243-2300

Email: tom.dunay@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current licensing and clean driving record, be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

Seeking to employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, operator and teamster trades for a heavy outside work statewide. Reliable personal transportation and a valid drivers license required. To apply please call (860) 6211720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

Contact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V Drug Free Workforce

PVC FENCE PRODUCTION

The Town of Wallingford is seeking a highly innovative individual to coordinate and implement communications strategies that promote community engagement in Town government. Applicants should possess 1 year of experience in communications, mass media, civic engagement, social media, marketing or related field, plus a bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, public or business administration, or related field, or any equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience. Wage rate: $27.00$33.00 hourly. This is a part-time position up to 19.5 hours per week. Applications may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and can be faxed or mailed to the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, or emailed to: wlfdhr@wallingfordct.gov by the closing date of May 15, 2024, 2024. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

NOTICIA

Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Union Company seeks:

Tractor Trailer Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction Equipment. Must have a CDL License, clean driving record, capable of operating heavy equipment; be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

Contact Dana at 860-243-2300

Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Large CT Fence Company looking for an individual for our PVC Fence Production Shop. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Must be familiar with carpentry hand & power tools and be able to read a CAD drawing and tape measure. Use of CNC Router machine a plus but not required, will train the right person. This is an in-shop production position. Duties include building fence panels, posts, gates and more. Must have a valid CT driver’s license & be able to obtain a Drivers Medical Card. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. Please email resume to pboucher@atlasoutdoor.com. AA/EOE-MF

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

Invitation for Bids

On-Call Electrical Services

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids from qualified firms for On-Call Electrical services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 3:00 PM.

FIRE CHIEF

TOWN OF EAST HAVEN PURCHASING AGENT

NEW HAVEN

The Town of East Haven seeks a qualified candidate to serve in the position of Purchasing Agent. This is a highly responsible position involving purchasing and directing the purchasing functions of the municipality. Qualified candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field preferably including or supplemented with special course work in purchasing/municipal bid processes and materials management plus five (5) years’ of progressively responsible purchasing work or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience. Must have valid class 3 Connecticut Driver’s License. The salary for this position is $62,841/year, 35 hours per week and the Town offers an excellent benefit package. Please send cover letter and resume with references to: Town of East Haven, Ed Sabatino, Assistant Director of Administration and Management, 250 Main Street, East Haven, CT 06512 or jobs@easthaven-ct.gov. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. The Town of East Haven is committed to building a work force of diverse individuals. Minorities, females, handicapped and veterans are encouraged to apply. The Town of East Haven is an equal opportunity employer.

242-258 Fairmont Ave

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host,General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor ofPitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

Andrea M. Liquori / Chief Examiner Civil Service Commission 250 Main Street East Haven  CT 06512 (203)468-3375

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Senior Sales Representative

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Penfield Communications, Inc. Publishers of The Inner-City News Weekly Print Publication is seeking a Senior Sales Representative The Inner-City News is a legacy, Black owned print publication, celebrating 30+ years as Greater New Haven’s urban news and information outlet.

The Inner-City News is a weekly print publication with a readership spanning across Greater New Haven. From Hamden, New Haven, West Haven, Stratford, Milford, Bridgeport. This free weekly print publication is committed to sharing news and information important to the Black community.

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

The Town of Wallingford is seeking a highly innovative manager to lead its Fire Department. Applicants should possess 10 years of progressively responsible fire services experience, plus a bachelor’s degree in fire services management, public administration or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience substituting on a year-for-year basis, including 5 years as a Captain or higher. Salary: $124,968 to $159,899 annually. The Town offers an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, paid sick and vacation time, individual and family medical insurance, life insurance, 13 paid holidays, and deferred compensation plan. Applications may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and can be faxed or mailed to the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, or emailed to: wlfdhr@wallingfordct.gov by the closing date of May 24, 2024, 2024. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 2942084. EOE

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

Advertising and the cultivation of existing and new advertising clients is key to the growth and continued success of The Inner-City News. The paper is delivered weekly to businesses, schools, shopping outlets and wherever newspapers can be found. This is a remote sales position.

Galasso Materials is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Full time experienced welder for Structural/Miscellaneous

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the

Galasso Materials LLC, a quarry and paving contractor, has positions open for the upcoming construction season. We are seeking candidates for a variety of positions, including: Scalehouse Dispatcher/ Equipment Operators and Laborers. NO PHONE CALLS. Please email resume and cover letter to “Hiring Manager”, Galasso Materials LLC, PO Box 1776, East Granby CT 06026.

Custodian

NOTICE

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Maintenance workers needed for the Wallingford Public Schools to work the 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. shift. Hourly rate: $19.78 to $25.14 hourly. Requires some experience in building maintenance work. The closing date for applications is May 22, 2024 or the date we receive the fiftieth (50) application whichever occurs first. Apply: Human Resources Department, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Human Resources Department or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and email to wlfdhr@wallingfordct.gov Phone #: (203) 294-2080 Fax # 203-294-2084. EOE.

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

NOTICIA

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals from qualified firms for Legal Services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 3:00PM.

Request for Proposals

The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG), North Haven, Connecticut is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced Environmental Consultants to develop a comprehensive regional climate action plan, which builds upon the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) completed and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 1, 2024. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms are strongly encouraged to respond as a prime contractor or to play a significant role within a consultant team.

NEW HAVEN

242-258 Fairmont Ave

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

Responses are due by June 13, 2024 (12:00 p.m. local time). The full RFP document and any potential updates can be viewed at SCRCOG’s website: www.scrcog.org. If you would like to request a copy of the RFP, please contact Stephanie Camp, Director of Regional Planning via email: smcamp@scrcog.org.

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host,General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor ofPitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

cost by downloading from the New Haven Union Station Partnership website at https:// unionstationnewhaven.com/bids-and-proposals/.

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

NHPA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

Town of Bloomfield

Salary Range:

$87,727 to $136,071 Deputy Finance Director/Controller

Pre-employment drug testing. AA/EOE. For Details go to  www.bloomfieldct.org

Town of Bloomfield

Finance Director

Salary Range - $101,455 to $156,599 (expected starting pay maximum is mid-range)

Fully Benefited – 35 hours weekly Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website –www.bloomfieldct.org

Portland

Police Officer

Go to www.portlandct.org for details

QSR STEEL CORPORATION

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

APPLY NOW!

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units) Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Lead Planning Analyst –Juvenile Justice in Criminal Justice Policy and Planning.

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at: https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/ sup/bulpreview.asp?b=&R1= 240502&R2=0007AR&R3=001

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity /affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR BID HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DANBURY

NOTICE

Chimney Cleaning and Repair Services

Financial Manager/Office Manager

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

IFB No. B24004

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders

Galasso Materials is seeking a Financial Manager/Office Manager to replace a retiring team member. The candidate needs leadership skills & experience in accounting & tax compliance. CPA, manufacturing and/or construction experience preferred.

Please register here to obtain Bid Package: https://ha.internationaleprocurement.com/ requests.html?company_id=49968

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL RETURN:

Housing Authority of the City of Danbury, 2 Mill Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811

Envelope Must be Marked: IFB No. B24004, Chimney Cleaning and Repair Services Attn: Lisa Gilchrist, Purchasing Agent

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

May 13th, 2024 at 10:30am (EST)

NOTICIA

CONTACT PERSON FOR IFB DOCUMENT: Lisa Gilchrist – Purchasing Agent

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Telephone: 203-744-2500 x1421

E-Mail: lgilchrist@hacdct.org

[Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

Listing: Retail Representative

Petroleum Company has an immediate part time opening. Excellent customer service skills a must. Requirements include: assist in answering service questions, scheduling service calls as well as assisting in collections and account set ups. Applicant to also perform administrative/clerical tasks as assigned. Please send resume to: H.R. Manager, Confidential, P O Box 388, Guilford CT 06437. or HRDept@eastriverenergy.com

NEW HAVEN

242-258 Fairmont Ave

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay.

Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT

LEGAL NOTICE Request for Proposals (RFP) RFP# 2025-0904: AIDS CADAP

The Department of Public Health (DPH) Infectious Disease Section is requesting proposals for the Connecticut AIDS Drug Assistance Program (CADAP). A qualified Pharmacy Benefits Manager or other organization is needed to provide enrollment, pharmacy benefits, insurance premium payments, and rebate management for CADAP.

The Request for Proposal is available in electronic format on the State Contracting Portal at https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard, on the Department’s website at https://portal.ct.gov/ DPH/Request-For-Proposals/Request-forProposals, or from the Department’s Official Contact: Mitchell Namias, 860-509-7718, Mitchell.namias@ct.gov

Deadline for submission of proposals is Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 4:30 PM.

WANTED TRUCK DRIVER

Galasso Materials is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

The Town of Wallingford, CT is accepting applications for the following positions:

Attendant I (Trainee). This is a trainee position leading to a career in performing skilled work in the operation and maintenance of the Town’s wastewater treatment facility. The position requires a H.S., trade school, vocational school, or H.S. equivalency diploma. Must possess a valid Connecticut Driver's License. Hourly rate: $22.97 to $25.22. The closing date for applications is the date the 50th applilcation or resume is received or April 30, 2024, whichever occurs first.

Electrical Technician. Performs skilled work in the repair, maintenance and calibration of all electrical and electronic equipment pertaining to the wastewater treatment plant in the Town of Wallingford. Applicants should possess a H.S. or trade school diploma and 2 years of related college education or specialized maintenance training and 4 years of experience in the repair and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment; or a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field plus 1 year of experience. Must possess a valid Connecticut Driver's License. Hourly rate: $32.24 to $36.79. The closing date for applications is the date the 50th applilcation or resume is received or May 7, 2024, whichever occurs first.

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

The Town offers an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, paid sick and vacation time, medical insurance, life insurance, 13 paid holidays, and deferred compensation plan. Applications may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and can be faxed or mailed to the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, or emailed to: wlfdhr@wallingfordct.gov by the closing dates specified above. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the

Truck Driver with clean CDL license

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units) Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Please send resume to attielordan@gmail.com PJF Construction Corporation AA/EOE

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Black and Hispanic Tech Professionals Gather in New Orleans for The Third Annual Dreamin’ In Color Conference, June 19-21, 2024

By BlackNews.com

Focused on Strengthening Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts, Dreamin In Color Strives to Cultivate a Thriving Pipeline of Diverse Tech Talent

As the tech and corporate sectors grapple with recent cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the 3rd Annual Dreamin’ In Color Conference stands strong, offering a vital resource for Black, Latinx, and Hispanic professionals in the Salesforce ecosystem. This transformative event, taking place June 19-21, 2024 at the InterContinental New Orleans Hotel, empowers attendees with the tools they need to thrive.

Meaningful connections and support await, with opportunities to network with over 600 peers, 60% of whom are actively seeking new opportunities. Career advancement is fostered through insights from 60+ industry leaders and 70+ educational sessions. Finally, the conference provides a safe space dedicated to minority success, fostering a sense of empowerment through mentorship and guidance. Recent statistics and news articles underscore the significance of this event and its pivotal role in empowering the diverse tech community.

Born from a Commitment to Diversity

The inception of the Dreamin’ In Color Conference was fueled by Salesforce’s steadfast commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Spear-

headed by Certified Salesforce Professional and Tech Executive Tiffany Spencer, the conference has evolved into a cornerstone gathering for professional development, support, and networking within Salesforce’s Black Professional community. This year marks a monumental step forward as the conference proudly expands its reach to include the Hispanic and Latinx communities, reflecting Salesforce’s dedication to greater diversity and inclusivity. Recognized as a trusted safe haven for minority Salesforce professionals, Dreamin’ In Color consistently draws participants seeking genuine connections, mentorship, and empowerment across diverse career paths.

“In a time where diversity, equity, and inclusion are facing significant challenges, the Dreamin’ In Color Conference has become a vital resource for Black and now, Hispanic and Latinx professionals within the Salesforce ecosystem,” says Tiffany Spencer, founder of the Dreamin’ In Color Conference. “This conference empowers attendees with the skills, connections, and support they need to thrive in their careers. Witnessing the impact on our attendees’ lives is truly inspiring. It’s within this context that we recognize the incredible companies who have stood firm in their support of initiatives like the Dreamin’ In Color Conference. Their unwavering commitment to embracing and nurturing diverse talent within the Salesforce and tech communities is truly commendable.”

Unforgettable Conference Highlights Include:

• Dreamin’ In Color Golf Clinic: Kicking off the conference, this clinic provides attendees with the opportunity to discover the fundamentals of the game and network on the course. Even those new to the game will learn the basics of golf etiquette and how to leverage this activity as a networking opportunity to further their careers or businesses.

• Soñando En Color Luncheon: A dedi-

NAACP, is the keynote speaker for the 3rd Annual Dreamin’ In Color Conference. With over 16 years of experience spearheading award-winning strategies across various industries, Trovon brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the table. His dynamic approach to marketing and communication aligns seamlessly with the ethos of Dreamin’ In Color, dedicated to fostering diversity, inclusion, and empowerment within the Salesforce community.

Tech & Consulting Companies Stand In Solidarity with the Dreamin’ In Color Mission

cated welcome event exclusively for our Latinx and Hispanic attendees. This vibrant gathering sets the stage for connection, cultural exchange, and introductions to the conference.

• “The Cookout” Welcome Event: A signature event for all attendees, fostering connections and celebrating the diverse Dreamin’ In Color community with Nawlins-style cuisine and music.

• Blacks In Technology (BIT) Hosted Reception: A memorable affair where Dreamin’ In Color attendees can connect and network with the national and local leadership of the Blacks In Technology organization, along with local BIT members throughout New Orleans and surrounding areas.

• Soñando En Color Professional Development Sessions: Dedicated learning sessions designed to empower and equip Latinx and Hispanic professionals within the Salesforce ecosystem. These sessions address specific career challenges and opportunities, fostering growth and knowledge-sharing.

• Dreamin’ In Color Awards Reception: This event celebrates the trailblazers driving diversity, equity, and inclusion, with nominees recognized for the Beacon Award and the Doing The Work Award.

• The Unity Brunch: A vibrant celebration convening all conference attendees

– Black, Latinx, and Hispanic – for a Nawlins-style brunch. This event also features the inaugural Dreamin’ In Color Salesforce App Pitch Competition, spotlighting Black, Latinx, and Hispanic app developers.

• Dreamin’ In Color Learning Labs: Interactive sessions tailored for career advancement and innovation, open to all attendees.

Dreamin’ In Color Keynote Speaker –Trovon Williams, a Powerful Voice for Change Trovon Williams, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the

Dreamin’ In Color wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of its sponsors, including Salesforce, American Express Global Business Travel, Decision Foundry, Southpoint, Mogli, Buzzold, and more. These companies are true champions of diversity, offering essential visibility to our attendees and access to a top-tier talent pool. Dreamin’ In Color offers various sponsorship tiers to accommodate different budgets and marketing objectives. Companies interested in demonstrating their solidarity with Dreamin’ In Color’s mission while supporting the talent and career growth of Salesforce and tech professionals can email sponsorships@ dreaminincolor.me to request information on sponsoring this year’s conference.

“At Torrent Consulting, we are driven to extend opportunities for all,” says Austin Rawlings, Managing Director at Torrent Consulting. “Our alignment with Dreamin’ In Color’s mission, especially its expansion to include the Hispanic community, resonates deeply. Witnessing the impact of digital work in Guatemala fuels our excitement for empowering Hispanic careers in the Salesforce ecosystem. Joining last year’s conference in Raleigh was transformative. We’re eager to continue supporting this special movement.”

“At Buzzbold, we found Dreamin’ In Color’s mission truly inspiring, especially its focus on amplifying Black voices in the Salesforce ecosystem,” says MJ Malik, Director of Business Development at Buzzbold. “Being part of this groundbreaking event as sponsors has been immensely rewarding. Unlike some other sponsorships, Dreamin’ In Color prioritizes showcasing supporters, offering valuable opportunities for collaboration, learning, and networking.”

Standing Together: Sponsors Make a Difference

Dreamin’ In Color Conference 2024 offers diverse sponsorship opportunities, granting visibility to sponsors and access to a talent pool of over 600 attendees, including tech industry leaders. Opportunities for companies to participate as sponsors at this year’s conference are available. Sponsors can engage with a motivated audience seeking new opportunities and solutions. Benefits include lead generation, ecosystem awareness, showcasing products, recruiting talent, brand elevation, networking with influencers, and championing diversity. To request more sponsorship information, please contact sponsorships@dreaminincolor.me.

May 21, 2024

DUEL REALITY

Growing up in the early 1990s, Thuso Mbedu never dreamt of being an entertainment figure. At a very young age, she want-

the 2021 TV series ‘The Underground Rail-

drama television series ‘IS’THUNZI’ from

her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 televi-

‘DSTV Viewers Choice Awards’ and the ‘International Emmy Awards for the ‘Best Performance by an Actress’ for her role ‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the 2016 -2017 television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’

In 2018, she won the ‘South African Film and Television Awards’ for ‘ Best Actress – TV Drama’ for her role ‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the 2016 -2017 television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’ She was also nominated for the ‘International Emmy Awards for ‘Best Performance by an Actress’ for her role ‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’

In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Television Critics Association Award’ (Individual Achievement in Drama), the

between life and death for me. Receiving that audition brief, I told myself that I would audition like it was my last audition. I gave it the last of everything that I had, that at the time I got the callback, I had nothing left. I secretly made the decision ing left to give. But fortunately, I received cause the role was mine. I had given up. I was in a very dark place at the time, and the character, the role, the opportunity, was a much needed light. And I told myself that I will act as if it was the last character that I will play. And through a great script and an amazing director, I earned two International Emmy Awards for that role…”

Africans by New African Magazine.

of her parents – Thuso is a Sotho name,

Studio of Acting in New York City.

– TV Movie / Limited Series), the ‘Holly-

Where personal breakthroughs are powered by medical ones.

At Yale New Haven Health, we’re delivering pioneering research from Yale School of Medicine to improve people’s lives every single day. Like Dr. Kevan Herold who led teams of colleagues across the U.S. to develop a game-changing drug that can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes for years. Together, we’re powering breakthroughs with the greatest of care.