FROM THE EDITOR
Hey everyone! Welcome to issue two! We are rolling into August, my birthday month, and are looking to create, have fun, and live! I am excited for the future success of this magazine and more! We have so much coming for you all We hope you enjoy this issue!
There's not much more to say, except to sit back, relax, and enjoy the entertainment we ' ve prepared for you this month!
You, Me, and Poetry are coming in hot! September 28th is going to be a blast!
Sincerely,
Donnie
AdonisRichards
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MEET THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MICHAEL OYELOLA
KAREEM TURE
STAR KING
MEET THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
JUSTIN CHAIRES
MOJAVI
DAWUD MOHAMMED
BETSY SANDBERG BRINGS LIFE AND LOVE TO THE YOUTH!
BYADONISRICHARDS
MeetBetsySandberg
This month, I got to talk to Betsy Sandberg. She is a woman of many talents who gracefully helps the community in many ways. She connects well with the community through the yearly Kids Arts Fest I attend. She also hosts Jazz on Jay and many other beautiful events; check out our interview here!
Tell us your thoughts on this community and your positive impact on it.
“This” community, If you’re using Downtown Schenectady, here’s what I’ve done: I got the funding for three murals on the walls.
The Butterfly mural on the Clinton Street side of Pizza King. The Frog and Toad mural on the DSIC building on South Ferry Street.
The student-centered mural is on the side of the GE Theatre on Lamp Lane.
I just applied for a mural inside the ALCO tunnel in 2025. Murals on a wall or in a tunnel create a tangible sense of place, resulting in increased foot traffic while adding color, vibrancy, and character to an urban environment. They mitigate the negative mental health effects of concrete and asphalt, enhance public safety by clarifying that the location is cared for, and, according to some studies, can have therapeutic benefits for mentally ill and homeless populations. I also secured the funding for the percussion playground at Jay Square. These drums bring a fun element to downtown and will be worked into future Kids Arts Festivals and other events.
I secured funding for the Jazz on Jay concert series and to bring one art activity a week to the Schenectady Greenmarket for what we call Art in Bloom.
I chair the planning committee for the Kids Arts Festival, a oneday event downtown that brings 5,000 kids and their families together for high-quality interaction with artists.
What does community mean to you?
Creating art together in public venues encourages diverse groups to collaborate, share ideas, and solve problems. So, in Downtown Schenectady, where businesses were not doing well because people were not coming downtown, that gives them a reason to here compared to many other choices in the ar
FEATURE CONT
What are some things you enjoy about working in this community?
We are creating connections between community members, art groups and individuals, and agencies and art groups.
Creating connections between different groups is essential, especially as our climate changes. We can solve problems in our communities and neighborhoods when we feel connected.
Who are you, What do you do? What business do you run?
I don’t have a business. I’m a volunteer. I coordinate the Kids Arts Festival planning committee that oversees Art in Bloom. Coordination is rather dull, but if it’s not done, then things fall apart.
I set up the meetings and liaised with artists, agencies, musicians, etc.
Several committee members have roles, such as coordinating the volunteers or the stage acts, because the Kids Arts Festival is far too large on the day it occurs for one person to be in charge of everything.
I oversee the budget, but I have a ton of help from staffers at Proctors. The budget starts with securing sponsors. I oversee the team and send out solicitation letters and more.
I help market the event, write press releases, and create a promotional video.
On the event day, I help troubleshoot everything so the artists have a good day, the performers have a good day, and the participants have a good day. If this means putting up banners and helping prepare the stage, I help do it. If this means taking care of garbage, that’s what I do. Or something even more unpleasant, like having a car towed — because even with three days of signage that says no parking is allowed on Jay and Franklin streets around City Hall, someone always doesn’t move their vehicle.
How did your path get you here?
I grew up in a tiny city in Wisconsin. There weren ’t many opportunities for art back in the 1960s and 1970s I received a scholarship to attend college and did not benefit from any guidance counseling I just thought I would be a teacher, and since I loved learning foreign languages, I thought that would be my path. My Spanish teacher told me I should consider something else, but he worked it out so that the summer after my first year, I went to Mexico and taught a class, and he was right.
I loved languages,
I didn’t love teaching language So then I had some searching to do, and when I took a class in feature writing and was able to sell an article, I realized journalism could be a career. So I became a news reporter, which was a perfect fit for me because I was always learning something new — even if it was something horrible, like when a car crash meant teenagers died I would try to tell the story of those kids’ lives, what they wanted to do and become, rather than having their parents have the last thing published about their child was how they died
As a reporter for the Daily Gazette, I got to know then-Mayor Karen Johnson. Little did I know that 20 years later, she would be mentoring me to take over Kids Arts Festival
I loved writing about public education, and that got me a job at New York State United Teachers. A union job means a pension and retiree health care, and I am so fortunate to have that
What advice would you have for people looking to get involved?
You are not alone. You can find an organization that fits what you like to do and work with them. If you have an idea for something new, working with people with experience in what you want to start is more accessible.
FEATURE CONT
What is the one thing you do here that you adore the most?
The arts are necessary for people to achieve their fullest potential and contribute to their homes, workplaces, and communities.
I’ve seen people's faces light up with that “a-ha” moment numerous times, whether trying a musical instrument for the first time, helping to paint a mural, learning a dance step, or painting fireworks with a cutup toilet paper roll.
Or better yet, when they see a collage they created incorporated into a Schenectady and Me bench somewhere in the City.
What’s your vision? What is your end goal?
Our programs seek opportunities for all people, regardless of age, income, or ability level, to learn and participate in a wide range of the arts. My end goal is to have free programming that people can line up to participate in.
FEATURE CONT
What’ s something you believe this community needs?
Schenectady needs to be a brighter, more vibrant place. There are far too many blank, bland walls.
What’ s something we should know about you that we don’t?
I was one of the founders behind the Schenectady And Me project, where people created a collage about something they love about Schenectady. Now I’ m working with CREATE Community Studios and Metroplex toward having all the collages people created turned into tiles and put inside the Alco Tunnel, a passage that workers used to get to the old American Locomotive Company and Alco site along the Mohawk River. My dream since we started was to display everyone. There are at least 1,000. Twenty years from now, someone will point at a tile, tell their kid, and say, ‘I made that.’
If you could define yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
Connection… I connect librarians and gardeners or scientists with photographers or musicians with architects, which I do well. I connect librarians and gardeners, scientists with photographers, musicians with architects, and others. I like to brainstorm and think of ways folks can work together.
Is there something I didn’t ask?
I had six siblings, 3 of whom died at a young age due to addiction issues.
MEET JUSTIN CHAIRES!
BYADONISRICHARDS
Justin Chaires is a community leader and connects community voices through legacy and excellence. Getting a chance to sit down with him and discuss business, I learned many things Here’ s what he shared with me
Share the name of your business and a brief description of what you provide to the community:
My association is named Justin Chaires for NY. In this, I spend time serving as a Public servant, helping with community outreach, and political education, and supporting youth and elderdriven initiatives. Working with entrepreneurs and local businesses to improve success. Securing housing and working justice-related situations to improve outcomes for the community.
How long have you been involved? What brought you into this line of work?
Been involved since I was 18 years old, the name has changed over the years but the focus remained the same. Using my other business ventures Majestic Renovation LLC, NMA tax associates, Intuitive Healing, and M.B auto repair I have been able to assist the community in many ways and provide safe services and direction to families in need.
The need for political forthcoming brought me into the line of work, giving the people a person they can trust that will fight for them and tell them the truth even when it's not what they wanted to hear. The political world is not what it should be I decide to fight the good fight from the inside.
BUSINESS PROFILE
Tell me about the philosophy behind your business.
Work hard for everyone in the community and stand up for those who can't fight for themselves.
What is your biggest inspiration in life or your job? What do you enjoy most about your work?
My biggest inspiration is my father, the older I get the more I realize how hard he worked to eliminate the what-ifs in life and to give his family a clear-cut design toward a better future I enjoy the ability to help people who want better for themselves rise above the challenges, trauma, and hardships of life and find their own success.
How do you believe your business best impacts this region?
It allows me to bring new energy to the area to give a good fight for the people, this is a longterm plan, not a short-term success and it lets people see that there are people out here who want to do the work
Can you describe any other businesses that you run?
Majestic Renovations started out as a Renovation company and home remodeling that allowed me the financial freedom to assist families at a fair price.
My tax company NMA associates gives legal assistance to those who need a filer and someone who can help them receive money to aid in their situation or create a plan to lower their tax risk or debt.
This is to name a few companies I'm involved in Intuitive Healing is the newest put of the 6 and deals with physical therapy and massage therapy allowing people to have access to physical and mental health aid through the healing power of massage
Why do you think having black-owned businesses in our community is essential?
Having Black-owned Businesses is essential to our community for many reasons, it shows the youth that they can achieve for themselves. Two it allows for money from the community to stay in the community 3. It's imperative that with the support of the black-owned business, the money be reinvested back into the community allowing for a success circle to begin opening The door for more black-owned businesses.
Can you see the best part of your business in your eyes?
Every Day the best part of my business is going to school, asking questions to teachers and parents staying engaged in the community looking to stay out of trouble, and taking care of their family.
Do you have a special message to share with the neighborhood or community?
Keep fighting, keep working, and help each other, there is more than enough star power to shine together, work together create business corporations together by being able to support one another, and earn more through collective work.
Share a funny or exciting story about your business. How do you make your work day fun?
My work day is random but one of my favorite stories is having a Nerf gun war in the capital building. It was after the session and the team was tired burnt out and just plain exhausted. I brought in some Nerf guns for the team and we closed the office for the day We got to be youthful and active and then broke bread over lunch.
Tell us about yourself and your family (kids, pets, other involvement in the community). My family is huge haha, but they are all individually amazing, I couldn't make it this far without their support and love They keep me level-headed, humble, and kind They can be a pain in the butt some days but I'd go to war for my family I looking forward to hopefully buying a puppy in the coming year and soon after that hopefully my first horse.
I sit on 23 total boards from state to local so my involvement in the community is none stop but it’ s a blessing to do this all while I still have the energy
Any additional information you would like to share?
Every day, do one thing for yourself, one thing to help your life, and one thing for personal growth and by the end of each week, you'll see you one step closer to where you want to be.
POET SPOTLIGHT: MEET LINETTE
journal
Icanwriteapoem everyday Iguessthatmeans Ihavealottosay IthinkIcan effectsomechange Ithinkmypoems willhelpyou understand Ithinkmypieces fromaamateurhand willmakeyouthink helpyouunderstand thatsometimeslife isarealdemand mysimplewords fromathought whichoccurred whilemakingjuice oreatingfruits readingfiction orinhalingtruths mightinspireyou towriteyourown ormakeyouthink aboutwhatisshown mypoemsmaynotall comefromexperience butseeingthrough someoneelse'sevents poemsoflove andcommunitylife poemsofpolitics andpeacealike IhopeIencourage youtowrite
yourpenisyour messenger useitwell youmaynotknow thejoyyou'lltell theheartsyoumay inspire loveofpoetry stylesafire
©LinetteRabsatt
POET SPOTLIGHT: PAWCRAM DA
POET
P.A.W.C.R.A.M. da Poet Proof A Woman Can Raise A Man Started writing at the age of 12 and performing at the age of 24. Poetry, to me, is not a hobby. It's my life source. It is as vital to my existence as breathing. Why do I poetry? Because it is the only way I can effectively translate my emotions in a way that does not sound foreign to the ears of those listening.
POET SPOTLIGHT: PAWCRAM DA POET
21years
Societyhasconvincedusasyoungblackmalesto believe that making it to this age should be consideredabadgeofhonor
And every moment after should be considered borrowedtimeand Guesswhat
Imadeit
Imadeit
To21
But the time I was told could be borrowed was shortlivedbecause
Mylifewasstolen
At21
21years
That'sallIhad
Andsomeonedecided
Thatmyexistencewasnolongerneeded
Sotheyerasedthephysicalme
Leavingmyessencetoliveonastearstainsonthe faceofmymother
Hermembershiphasjustbeenapprovedtoaclub she'sneverexpressedinterestin
Agroupofgrieving
Blackmothers
Callingouttosonsthatcannolongeranswer Iheardher
Mymothercriedmynameoutloudand Iheardher
Shewasinadarkroomallalonewhenshefinally allowedherselftobreakdown
Notduetobeingweak
Butbecauseallweek
She had to be strong for everyone else that was around
Iheardhercryouttothetopofherlungsandsay
"21years"
"Lord,youonlyloanedhimtomefor21years" "Youpreparedmyhearttolovehimforalifetime butallowedhimtoleaveacraterinmysoulonly 21 years deep with no instructions on how it's supposedtobefilled"
Thesearethewordsmymothercriedoutaboutme andallIcoulddoisscream "Mama"
"I'msorryIwastakenfromyou" "Pleasedon'tcry"
Mywordsshecouldnothear ButIknow
Mytouchcouldbefelt
BecausewhenItriedtowipehereyes Isawhersmileasa
Coolbreezeremovedthesingletearsthatescaped fromhersoul'swindow
I'mwithyoumama
ForeveryourGuardianAngel ForeverI'llbe
Inyourheart
Andforever21
Inyourmemories
POET SPOTLIGHT: VERSITILE VIXEN
Pen Name - The Versatile Vixen. How long I’ ve been into poetry? Since middle school, but I didn't start focusing on it hard until the 2019 Pandemic. What poetry means to me? Freedom of expression in various ways. Whether it's format or free style, page or spoken, there's a message that can be delivered. Why do I do poetry? I used it as a way to begin shadow work. It helped me to dig into those vulnerable things I don't like to talk about. Now I use it to connect to others and hopefully inspire them.
POET SPOTLIGHT: VERSITILE VIXEN
Poem:"Betrayed"
Asawhiteperson
Ifeelbetrayedbymyowncountry
Putblindersonmyeyes
Earplugsinmyears
Can’tseeorhearthenastyhistory
Somanyyearsleftinthedamndark
Whyisitthatwhileincollegeinmymid30s
I’mjustseeingthelight Andnowyouwanttosilenceme
Welltryasyoumight…
youcan'tandyouwon't
Youdon’twantustotalkaboutitpublicly Butthisshitneedstobetaught Andifnotinschool,thenI’llteachtheadults
See…
AsakidIwashonestlytooyoungtounderstand Whatlittlewhitewashedversionofhistory
Theyfedusbyhand
I’vealwaysgrownuptoloveeveryone
Didn’topenlynoticemuchracism becauseIwasinabubbleandverynaive
ButwhenIstarteddatingoutsideofmyraceinmyearly30s
Ibegantolearnthingsquickly Iventuredoutblindlyintotheunknown
Learningaboutotherpeople’sculture
That’s where I started to grow
Listening to their stories, struggles, and their fears
By me they were met with hugs while wiping away tears
But I could see other white folk turning the opposite way
Yeah these discussions are mad uncomfortable
But we need to listen to what people of color have to say And no it’s not their job to educate the white race
But speaking as a white woman who wants to learn more
You have to know what to truly look for
Because a simple google search will only get you so far
It won’t tell you about Tulsa, Redlining, Elmore Bolling, or Larry Payne
Why? Because white supremacy runs deep in America’ s veins
And they don’t want us to know because the truth will piss us off
Then what will the government do in a nest full of angry wasps
It was said in a documentary I watched “Those who control the past control the future”
And “Ignorance is not bliss because it allows false history to thrive”
Well baby I’m here to tell you I refuse to stay dumb and blind
I’ll continue educating myself
While actively fighting beside you until the day that I die
And we may never reach true freedom or equality in this country
But at least I can say I gave it my all and I tried