OUR TIME PRESS | July 6 – 12, 2017

| From the Villa ge of Brook ly n |

OUR TIME PRESS THE L OCAL PAPER WITH THE G LOBAL VIEW

| VOL. 21 NO. 27

July 6 – 12, 2017 |

Since 1996

Grassroots to Global: Fighting Displacement While Sustaining the Culture

A look into Brooklyn’s longest-running street festival ■■

T

By Marlon Rice

he sisters in front of Queen Afua’s Healing Station were doing sun salutations, using Yoga poses and dance as tools of rejuvenation. On the other side of the fence, a tall slim man from the island of Montserrat in the British West Indies presented original pieces of art, beautiful abstract paintings of different shapes and sizes, all framed and ready to accentuate any wall in your home or office.

On the other side of the park, the sisters running the Amalsi Girl table informed a potential customer that their line of accessories are only available this week here at the International African Arts Festival because the company is based in Ontario, Canada. I grab a mango lemonade from a Haitian food vendor and walk over to the main stage to listen to the Garifuna International Band perform. And they’re opening up for Tito Puente, Jr., son of the legendary Puerto Rican bandleader of the same name.

Od friends meet and culture was reaffirmed at the International African Arts Festival.

Continue on Page 6

View From Here ■■

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Bad News, Good News

By David Mark Greaves

he Voter Integrity Commission, which continues the legislative tradition of the name being the opposite of the intent, is looking for evidence of the president’s claim that up to 3 million illegal voters were in the last election, despite the fact that local monitors, Republicans and Democrats, say there is no evidence of voter fraud on the scale the president cites.

The president also says the Russia investigation is a hoax being perpetrated by disgruntled Democrats, despite all of the independent evidence that Democrats, many Republicans and the Fourth Estate cite to the contrary.

In both cases, Donald Trump does not care if you do not believe his lie, there are not enough votes in the Republican-controlled Congress to impeach him, end of the prologue, and now on to the disasters and there will be several story lines to choose from. There are the domestic issues of health care, voter suppression, judicial appointments and wealth transfer to the rich, each of which will shape the nation for decades to come. Whether those decades come at all may be decided by a conflict with North Korea over its launching of an intercontinental ballistic missile or by Vladimir Putin opting for a Republican-controlled congress as the best way to go , and we have a surprise result in the midterm elections.

And then there’s Trump’s denial of the impact of humanity-induced climate change on the planet, with policies that hasten the extinction of species, rising sea levels and mass migrations of people and insects and these are only the beginning of a disruption that will be measured in geologic time. Now for the good news

and it all starts local. There are people working every day as parts of community groups, organizations and as individuals to make the lives of young people, elders and those negatively impacted by societal pressures - causing depression, poverty, drug abuse and violence in and outside of the home.

There are local efforts that join with national initiatives to resist the Trump Administration and the authoritarian direction they want to take the country, leading to an oligarchy of the rich, enabled by people rabid with greed and the empowerment of white supremacy.

There may come a point when even the Republican majority, or the midterm election results, lead to impeachment and a President Mike Pence. The Republicans will still have their conservative ideologue, but the nation at least won’t start off the day with a presidential tweet that sets off a round of dismay, explanations or cheers, blocking out issues that affect daily lives and those of our heirs, a word not used often enough in discussing the future. What are we as individuals leaving behind that can be built upon as protection against the forces arrayed against them on all sides? There are people doing the work. It is up to others to join them.

Maybe I Missed it Lastly, maybe I missed it and this is probably old news to most, but usually when an excluded group gets the opportunity to vote for one of their own, they come out in disproportionate numbers. And yet in Trump versus Clinton 52% of white women voted for the vulgar and sexist pig, instead of the super qualified white woman. What was that about? You can comment at www.ourtimepress.com

Photo: Akosua Albritton

Residents voice their opinion outside the last meeting before the summer break of Community Board 9. Page 2

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OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017 DBG MEDIA Publishers of Our Time Press, Inc. 358 Classon Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 599-6828 Web site: www.ourtimepress.com e-mail: editors@ourtimepress.com Publisher DBG MEDIA Editor-in-Chief David Mark Greaves Consultant Bernice Elizabeth Green Legacy Ventures Contributors Victoria Horsford Selma Jackson Margo McKenzie Priscilla Mensah Aishamanne Williams Manager www.ourtimepress.com Liani Greaves Sports Eddie Castro Office Manager Joanna Williams © 2015, DBG MEDIA Publishers of Our Time Press, Inc., printed in New York City.

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VOL. 21 NO. 27

Housing Demanded for Current Crown Heights Residents ■■ By Akosua K. Albritton

I

n June of each year, New York City’s 59 community boards look forward to summer hiatus. This is the time–July and August—when community boards’ various committees do not meet unless to address a dire matter. It is ideal that pressing issues are resolved and voted by June 30th so that board members may look forward to new concerns come September.

Brooklyn Community City Council candidate Ede Fox, right, with a Board No. 9 (CB9) voted supporter at community board 9’s meeting on a major land use issue on centering on land use.

June 27, 2017 and went into summer hiatus with a big bang.

This evening, there were many deal for the Hours before the start of women with children in strollers. B e d f o r d Photo: Akosua Albritton the CB9 general meeting, These families were black and Union Armory Justice Fortune, with the construction and people wearing orange T-shirts brown people concerned about as “a win-win laborer council. bearing the words New York keeping affordable housing in for developers Communities for Change Crown Heights and elsewhere.

BFC Partners and a lose-lose for achieved. Rather, Roseboro pro(NYCC) milled in front of MS The children were receiving the community”. Fox comment- posed establishing a community 61 waiting for the rally to start. an early education in social ed on how Council member land trust as the mechanism to NYCC is headquartered in down- justice and collective work and Laurie Cumbo had been backing ensure permanent affordability town Brooklyn and describes responsibility. Many people were the proposed development where and the people having a say in itself as “a multiracial mem- primarily Spanish-speaking; 164 of the 330 rental units are how the land is used. bership-based organization”. however, there was a strong assigned market rate; 99 rental There was another group invisible bond between English- units are assigned 110% of AMI outside; however, this group speaking and Spanish-speaking (Area Median Income), and 44 of older adults stood on the far NYCC members due to the units of the 56 condominium fringe of the rally area. When practice of translation during units are at market rate and the asked the name of their group, meetings that maintained the remaining 12 units are 120% of the body declined to give a name. bond.

AMI. Once inside MS 61’s auditorium, Other organizations presArea Median Income (AMI) the group seated itself in the back ent were NYC Democratic has been a continuing contro- rows of the center and right Socialists of America, Local versy in New York City housing aisles. The group members pulled 79 Construction and General creation. This is due to including out signs stating, “Vote Yes” and Building Laborers, and City the household incomes in Nassau “I Support the Bedford Armory”.

Council candidate Ede Fox (CD and Suffolk Counties on Long This reporter approached them 35).

Island and household incomes to inquire why they were in The first speaker who came in Rockland, Westchester and favor of the redevelopment. A to the middle of the circle Putnam Counties in New York black woman appearing to be was Justice Favor of Local State. These suburban counties middle-age holding a “Vote Yes” 79 Construction and General are populated by households sign said, “Because it needs to Building Laborers. Favor’s con- whose incomes are appreciably be fixed”. She did not give her cerns were jobs and affordable higher than those of the five bor- name when asked. A black man housing. He saw the irony of oughs. By default, using AMI to appearing to be middle-age working in the trades to build determine housing prices results held a sign with the message “I housing that neither he nor cur- in creating housing that fits the Support the Bedford Armory” rent community residents could pocketbooks of upper-income stated, “Change is good for some afford to live in. “Crown Heights households. individuals and neighborhoods”. residents are being priced out Another rally speaker was When asked for his name, this of their homes.” Rather than Skipp Roseboro from New man parted his lips and leaned present a face of gloom, Favor York Communities for Change. toward this reporter to speak focused on the power of the Roseboro’s speech aimed at but a woman seated behind him people. analyzing the Bedford Union tapped him on his shoulder, he Following Favor was Council Armory deal so that people could turned to her to see her waving member candidate Ede Fox who see how the project goals of a her hand at him which had him gave a rousing speech about, community facility, historic pres- stay silent. Later, this group had “The need for affordable hous- ervation, affordable housing, job one person collect the signs and ing for people who live here to- creation and $500,000 in annual they left before the vote. day”. Fox described the current community benefits would not be During the committee reports period, Michael Liburd, ULURP Committee Chairman, discussed the Bedford Union Armory condo and affordable housing project.

Liburd stated the committee was against the development plan for the armory in its current form.

The committee’s vote resulted in 15 opposed, 0 approve and 0 abstain. Liburd asked that the full board vote “No” on the project that night. It is likely that out of many concerns, it is the proposed zoning map amendment wherein the block/lot on which the armory is situated would be Photo: Akosua Albritton rezoned from R6 to R7-2/C2-4.

Several elders were seen protesting for the development.

They declined to say what group they were a part of.

➔➔ Continued on page 8

VOL. 21 NO. 27

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OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017

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OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017

VOL. 21 NO. 27

WHAT’S GOING ON ■■

By Victoria Horsford

NY POLITICS Last week was sort of too good to be true for Hizzoner de Blasio. An eleventh-hour deal negotiated with the New York State Legislature by Governor Andrew Cuomo restored Mayoral Control of the NYC school system for two years. All seemed right with the progressive world of Bill de Blasio. Then the GOP front-runner, Paul Massey, declared that he is no longer interested in the mayoral race. Mayor de Blasio has to contend with an assorted group of conservative, racist nuts in his quest for reelection. There is GOP Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, a Cuban/Greek-American, unsympathetic to immigrant populations. There is Bo Dietl, who will run as an independent. His political posture is to the far right of President Trump’s.

During what seemed to be an unobstructed pathway to a landslide reelection victory this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio has to countenance a scandal originating in the NYC Department of Corrections. Three Corrections Department employees, all African-American senior managers--Charles Daniels, Sr. Deputy Commissioner; Dr. Errol Toulon, Jr., Deputy Commissioner of Operations; and Dr. Keith Taylor, Assistant

AWOL Commissioner Joseph Ponte, who officially resigned last month under pressure.

The complaint deals with a hellish, violent Rikers Island culture, which threatens the lives of inmates, corrections brass and staffers alike. The complaint alleges that falsification of records of Rikers Island’s dysfunction is routine. This sounds like those dark Intel hearings in Washington, DC. Cover-up?

We read often about the impotence of Black inmates in the penal system. It is ironic to read about well-educated Black men who are endangered on the job at NYC Corrections because of racism! Media coverage of the scandal has been anemic. Little to no print ink. NBC-TV has done some investigative reporting. Does anyone care about racism at the workplace in New York anymore?

Jerome Adams

NYC COUNCIL

Edwidge Danticat

City Council races and fundraisers will be never-ending throughout the summer, leading to the September primaries. Brooklyn’s District 35: Laurie Cumbo, the incumbent may have to deal with a 2013 opponent, Ede Fox. Manhattan’s District 9: Councilman Bill Perkins was elected to the post in a special election a few months ago. He has to do a primary battle with union organizer Marvin Holland and Cordell Cleare. Brooklyn District 40: Incumbent Mathieu Eugene will have to deal with primary contenders like Pia Raymond and Brian Cunningham.

American professional sports franchises like the NBA and the NFL are top entertainment revenue generators, and this year is no exception. Last week, Golden State Warrior Steph Curry signed a 5-year, $201

Stephan Curry million supermax contract at the onset of free agency. To be sure, a historical deal! “No,” says Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James, who contends that the contract, notwithstanding, that Curry is underpaid. Warriors’ value has traveled north from $450 million to $2.6 billion since the new owner purchased the franchise in 2010.

left to right - Dr. Keith Taylor, Dr. Errol Toulon, and Charles Daniels.

Commissioner of Correction Intelligence-submitted their resignations this year, owing to racism and mismanagement with the NYC Corrections culture. “The Rikers 3” men have filed Federal Employment complaints, stating that they were coerced “into resigning because they are Black”. They continued: “A glass ceiling exists for minorities in upper management at Corrections.” These are sobering accusations for a mayoral administration boastful of its progressive credentials. Messrs. Daniels, Toulon and Taylor complaint goes into great detail about fudged records that Corrections gives to the mayor’s office. They disclose info which runs parallel to what corrections officers have argued for years. These men worked under

Dr. Mathieu Eugene

ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT According to NY Times reviewer Michiko Kakutani, Haitian-born wordsmith Edwidge Danticat’s new book, “THE ART OF DEATH, Writing the Final Story”, is about her mother’s death and how she processes it. Danticat seeks comfort in the words of literary characters created by Toni Morrison; Gabriel Garcia Maquez in “One Hundred Years of Solitude” and Joan Didion, “The Year of Magical Thinking”.

NEWSMAKERS President Donald Trump nominated Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams, MD, 42, as Surgeon General. An advocate of needle exchanges to avoid the spread of disease, Dr. Adams will be the recipient of a warm National Medical Association Convention welcome. So few Trump nominees have experience in their areas of oversight, and while trying to tweak the Affordable Care Act, both congressional chambers of

Congress should bring the NMA into the discussion.

Sade Lythcott, executive director of the National Black Theater founded by her mother, theater legend Barbara Ann Teer, welcomed a new addition to the family, her 10-week-old son.

SUMMERTIME The 19th Annual Harlem Book Fair convenes on Saturday, July 15 from 10 am to 6 pm at the Schomburg Center for Black Studies, located at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, aka Lenox Avenue at 135th Street.

The C-SPAN Book TV team will cover the authors’ forums.

The NAACP will host its 108th National Convention and Diversity Career Fair from July 22 to July 26 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights group.

[Visit NAACP.org] The National Urban League’s 2017 Annual Conference will be held from July 26 to July 29 in St. Louis, Missouri. The nation’s largest civil rights convention attracts more than 20,000 attendees. Themed “Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs and Justice”, the NUL Conference calendar is filled with seminars, exhibitor pavilions, career fairs.

[Visit NUL.org] The National Medical Association hosts its 115th Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly from July 29 through August 2 in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Founded in 1895, the NMA is the collective voice of more than 50,000 African-American physicians and “the leading force for parity and justice in medicine and elimination of disparities in health”.

[Visit NMANET.ORG] The Africa-America Institute Awards Gala will host its 33rd Annual Awards Gala on September 19 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manhattan. Gala is coincidental with the opening of the new UN General Assembly session.

A Harlem-based journalist, Victoria Horsford can be contacted at Victoria.horsford@gmail.com.

Recognizing the Treasures in our Midst ■■

By Asantewaa Harris

W

ith its mission of “Saving lives by building bridges, creating ‘safety nets’ and finding solutions for ourselves, our families and our community” in these very difficult times, Community Vision Council continues its social justice and human rights work.

A nonprofit, Community Vision Council’s projects are community-led, culturally defined, inter-generational and female-driven.

Elder Care Work Group/ECWG is a special project of Community Vision Council and its community partners. In the absence of a dedicated and responsible NYC agency or service program that is by, for and about strengthening the quality of life for the city’s Black aged, Elder Care Work Group exists to help in solution-building for this special population. Since June, there has been a “learning lab” classroom for

caregivers. This 6-week course was designed for adults 18 and older who care enough about being of service to elders in their families and communities. The curriculum highlights Aging in Place Models, Activities for Daily Living, Wellness Works - nutritional remedies, juicing, dancing, upper body massage, gardening, Community Service Agreements and Resource Guides. There will also be a closing ceremony for ECWG students.

Elder Care Work Group is an advocate for the Black aged in NYC. Some earlier project activities: Communication and Information - telephone assurance and check-in calls, mailings, newsletter Socialization - social and cultural events; i.e., BAM/DanceAfrica, farm visits in Dutchess & Ulster Counties; home, hospital, nursing home & hospice visiting of elders Civic participation - Aging Healthy in Harlem (received a Certificate of

Appreciation from then-NYS Senator Bill Perkins), Dover Community Day in Dutchess County, Greening & Growing: Wisdom Tales from Elders, a conference workshop Health & Wellness – Farmers’ markets, farm share & buyers club, urban gardening of heirloom seeds, spa visits Saluting our Rich Cultural Legacy Dr. George Washington Carver Birthday Celebrations & Garden Parties Harriet Tubman - An Inspiration Day with the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations Church Center Louis Armstrong Home/Museum visit Grand Parents Day @ IS 383 in Bushwick, Brooklyn with teen dancers from the film “Mad Hot Ballroom” and an elder swing dance couple whose combined ages was 157 years.

ECWG is so encouraged by the determination of esteemed ancestor Harriet Tubman (1820? - March 10, 1913)

that they will visit the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, NY on August 19, 2017.

Tickets for the bus trip are available at promotional partners Sisters Uptown Bookstore in Harlem, Moshood in Brooklyn or you may call 917/544-1095 for more information. Also, friends with their own vehicles may caravan or rendezvous if they choose.

ECWG exists to build solutions and a «friendlier» NYC for its Black aged.

Our Elders Matter!

VOL. 21 NO. 27

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OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017

Thinker’s Notebook

The Butterfly Effect of Transformation ■■ By Marlon Rice

H

ow did we get here? You and I, how did each of us get to this particular point in time, with you reading an article that I’ve written? Well, I cannot speak for you because I know not who you are. At the very moment that I’m typing these words, I’m sprawled along the sofa in my wife’s home office. And due to the fact that I cannot say for certain who will read this, you will have to rationalize with yourself on the question of how you got here. However, I will tell you how I got here, so as to help with answering my question. Deal?

In the summer of 1983, I was 8 years old. My mom, my 3-year-old twin sister and I were living with my maternal grandmother on Pacific Street in Crown Heights. Because at that time both my mother and grandmother worked, my sisters and I used to spend a lot of time with my paternal grandmother, Nana. Nana was a woman who migrated from North Carolina to Harlem in the early 30’s during the beginnings of the “Great Migration”. A teenaged southern girl living in Harlem during the height of the Renaissance, she was privy to all kinds of new and exciting perspectives and experiences. She used to share some of them with my sisters and I in the way that most elderly people reminisce around their family. She used to speak about attending UNIA meetings. She told us that she met Elijah Muhammad, this encounter she shared is a hilarious story that I’ll tell you about if you should ever see me and ask.

As a child though, I didn’t understand the significance of any of it. I cared more about her pancakes than her political ideas.

The first time I ever went to the African Street Festival was in the summer of 1983. My Nana took me. I remember seeing the field behind Boys and Girls High School teeming

with people, the beautiful colors of dashikis, kaftans and hijabs flowing like fabric traveling in the wind across my young eyes creating rainbows of brilliant Blackness. I remember the tables - incense, soap, oils - everything lined neatly for purchase.

Nana brought her shopping cart with her. By 1983, she was 71 years old and would’ve had problems with carrying bags of goods she purchased while trying to manage an 8-year-old boy. I remember standing with her at a table while she touched different fabrics, asking the vendor for a favorable price. My eyes were wandering, taking in everything around me when I saw something I’d never seen before. It was a man, a very tall Black man. He was taller than any man I’d ever seen, like a majestic baobab tree.

I stared in awe as he sauntered through the marketplace.

The people knew this man, greeting him as he made his way to where my Nana and I were standing. He walked right past us, my Nana never even looked up to see him go by. How could a man grow so tall and powerful? Would I ever grow that tall? We left the festival that evening, but the image of this man stayed in my young mind.

Years later, I attended Satellite East Junior High School and became friends with a kid named Amen-Ra Mashariki. He and I made a connection because we were both younger than the rest of our class, both the results of being skipped in elementary school. We shared a healthy intellectual competition. In 7th grade, I won the spelling bee, and he came in 2nd place. In 8th grade, he won the spelling bee, and I came in second place. When I ran for Class Treasurer in 8th grade he was my campaign manager. He used his computer skills to make signs that said Vote for Marlon. I lost that race to Denise Cyrus, but our friendship was made solid. During our junior high school years, I became friends with not just him, but his

sister Aziza (she’s my wife today) and brother Ahkenaton, and also his cousin Kojo. Amen and I left Satellite East and went to Brooklyn Tech and there I met his brother Jelani. I began spending a lot of time with the Masharikis.

During one holiday season, somehow I wound up going with them to the East Kwanzaa Celebration. The East seemed to be this big family, parents and children who all knew and cared for one another, like a tribe, a community within a community. The kids all addressed the women as Mama, and ➔➔ Continued on page 11

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n response to efforts by Senate Republicans to pass the Better Care Reconciliation Act, also known as Trumpcare, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House last week: “I want to talk to you, Mr. Speaker, very directly. We’ve talked a lot about the 22-23 million people who will lose their health care if we were to repeal and replace Obamacare.

But the Senate health care bill goes deeper than this. It undermines the Medicaid program—a program that would be 52 years old on July 30, if it survives.

“Right now, Mr. Speaker, there are 70 million people who rely on Medicaid. Let me tell you right now, Mr. Speaker, one of those people could be you. The average age of the member of the House of Representatives is 57. The average age of a Senator is 61. So, Mr. Speaker, you are one stroke away, one heart attack away from becoming disabled.

After they wipe out your IRA, your pension and your Social Security, you too, Mr. Speaker, could end up relying on Medicaid to have a decent end of life experience or be able to stay at home. You’re one kidney failure away, one car accident away, even though you make $179,000 a year. Mr. Speaker, if you were to have a disabled child who needed extensive care, you wouldn’t have enough money. You would depend on the Medicaid program.

“Many people don’t care about what’s going on here. They think it couldn’t happen to them. Most people think the 70 million people who rely on Medicaid are people other than them. But no Mr. Speaker, it’s you.

And even if you don’t – God-willing – have a stroke or a heart attack, you’re someone who will suffer from the cost shifting. When 22 million people lose their health care, your premiums are going to go up. Your deductibles are going to go up.

“God forbid that you have arthritis or another preexisting condition, because under this bill, you’ll be left at the tender mercies of our insurance companies where they can charge five times as much for seniors or someone who has a preexisting condition.

Hospitals in your nice suburban, rural area may find themselves being shut down because they don’t get Medicaid payments.

Community health centers included, not just Planned Parenthood, Mr. Speaker, but those community health centers that serve rural communities.

“How cruel could a bill be where 50% of the children born in this country rely on Medicaid? How cruel could a bill be when there are seven million people with disabilities in this country? After we end the entitlement to Medicaid, we will have people with disabilities, children and those who need skilled nursing care fighting with each other. They will have to win the lottery

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“Mr. Speaker, this bill will have an impact on you. It’s not just poor people, it’s everybody. All Americans, every American,

relies on decent, good health care. This is the largest health care program in our country that is about to be dismantled. I caution everyone, especially you, Mr. Speaker, to beware.”

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OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017

VOL. 21 NO. 27

Grassroots to Global: Fighting Displacement While Sustaining the Culture A look into Brooklyn’s longest-running street festival ■■

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➔➔ Continued From Cover

By Marlon Rice

he International African Arts Festival brings an amalgam of Pan-African culture to the grounds of Commodore Barry Park every first week of July. Over 100,000 people come annually to shop with literally hundreds of vendors specializing in everything from water guns and hula hoops to kente fabric and scented shea butter to pieces of art that are worth thousands. Scores of nations are represented here, not just with regards to the vendors but also with regards to the dance workshop instructors, the symposium panelists and even the models who walk the stage showing off the clothing lines of upand-coming fashion mavens. So much more though than just an elaborate marketplace, the IAAF serves as a meet-up destination, a place where familiar faces see one another every year, old friends reconnect and share memories, and children interrupt some of those reconnections to ask for money to get Icee’s or some Peach Iced Tea. And the best part about the festival is that for a full day of music, shopping, performances and family Segun Shabaka fun in a borough that has been identified as the second-most expensive place to live in the entire nation, the cost of admission is only a suggested donation of $5.

The beginnings of what is now known as the International African Arts Festival can be traced back 48 years ago to 10 Claver Place, near the western border of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

In 1969, 10 Claver Place became the home of The East. The East was an educational and cultural center which was formed from a collaborative effort between the African-American Teachers Association and the AfricanAmerican Student Association.

The East was dedicated to the concepts of Pan-Africanism, cultural awareness and nation-building. Among its many accomplishments both in the community and nationwide, The East is credited with being the first organization to bring the celebration of Kwanzaa to the East Coast. The East opened Uhuru Sasa Shule in 1970. Uhuru Sasa

Photo: Mark Stewart

Photo: Mark Stewart

Shule was an independent school structured to reflect the philosophy of Kawaida, or cultural nationalism, and the Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Dr. Segun Shabaka, the current Chairman of the IAAF Board of Directors, was a teacher at Uhuru Sasa Shule back then.

At the end of the school year in 1971, those involved with the school decided to put together a fundraiser. They reached out to artists and performers and vendors. The parents prepared the food.

The African Street Carnival bought out over 2,000 members of the community, and the idea was born, supported by the ideals of cultural pride and service to the community.

The African Street Carnival

an integral role in the keeping of the flame. Job’s son, Ahkenhaton, is one of the festival’s sound engineers.

Adeyimi’s son, Atiba, is in charge of the maintenance crew. The impact of The East is evident in the spirit of the festival - cooperative economics, self-determination, unity - the ideals of the Nguzo Saba put forth into action serving as a lesson to some and as a reminder to others. Even Dr. Shabaka offers his time as a full-time volunteer during the festival, proving that community service isn’t just a cliched phrase one uses as a mode of lip service but rather it is a responsibility that we should Photo: Mark Stewart consistently engage.

In an everchanging Brooklyn, IAAF is an annual beacon of the possibilities of community. In our brave new world of hypercommercialism and corporate influence, the longest-running street festival in Brooklyn was created by a group of men and women who accepted the challenge of defining themselves and the community around them. When asked about the importance of the legacy of the IAAF within this new Brooklyn paradigm, Dr. Shabaka said, “We must build institutions that house our aspirations… The culture is the foundation of a people. The most defining feature of a people is its culture. The quality of life and ➔➔ Continued on page 10

Queen Afua

Photo: Mark Stewart

stayed on Claver Place until 1976, when it was moved into the Boys and Girls High School field and renamed the African Street Festival.

For 46 years, the IAAF has continued its growth and development as a cultural institution for the borough. Still, for all of its prosperity and success, its connection to the small community of its origin has not been lost. Some of the founding members, men like Job Mashariki and Adeyimi Bandele, now have children who are playing

Photo: Marlon Rice

Photo: Mark Stewart

Taking it all in stride.

Aba Adeyimi Bandele and his son Atiba. Atiba runs the maintenance team for the Festival.

Dr. Frederick Monderson

Photo: Mark Stewart

VOL. 21 NO. 27

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OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017

A Legacy Business

Z. Abedin’s known attention to detail in brownstone masonry is inherent... in his family’s work ethic and attention to detail.

Of note, the masonry contractor’s two daughters graduated Midwood H.S. as valedictorians: one last year; the other this year.

Congratulations to the family and thank you for your work on all fronts!

Our Time AT HOME Returns for 10th Year Legacy Issues, this Abedin's first step to restoring works of art: attention to and respect for detail.

(Photo: Bernice Green/Legacy)

Summer

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VOL. 21 NO. 27

Sunshine after The Storm

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By Eddie Castro

here are many words you can put into perspective when you talk about the New York Knicks 2016-17 campaign. It was simply a disastrous year all around. The losing kept on going, the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors intensified throughout the course of the season, and who can forget the horrible night at Madison Square Garden where Knicks legend Charles Oakley was literally dragged out the arena by security. That was just a few things that Knicks fans had to deal with this year.

Last week, the Knicks added to their debacle of a year when the team decided to part ways with coaching legend Phil Jackson, who was the team’s President of Basketball Operations for the last three years. Jackson had been heavily criticized for not making the necessary moves to make the team one step closer for contending in the Eastern Conference. Things did not get better for Phil Jackson as the “controversy cloud” continued to surround Jackson when he publicly expressed his desire to trade Anthony. Anthony, who has 2 years left on his contract, has a full “no-trade” clause.

He (Jackson) also expressed his displeasure with the young phenom Kristaps Porzingis, who reportedly skipped the season’s exit meetings and did not speak to the press, something Jackson was not too fond of. A few days before the NBA Draft, Jackson publicly confirmed that he has been shopping the 21-year-old Porzingis in hopes of a trade that Jackson said he felt was “best

for the team”. Obviously, that did not sit well with owner James Dolan who decided to relieve Jackson of his duties.

So what’s the Knicks next move you say? Well, finding a new president of basketball operations is one thing, but what will happen with Anthony and Porzingis? The team has reportedly been in discussions with former Cavaliers general manager David Griffin. Griffin built a Cleveland team that saw them win 50-plus games the past three seasons, including three straight NBA Finals appearances and a World Championship in 2016. Coach Jeff Hornacek will now be able to run his style of offense with the team; under Jackson, he was told to run the famous “triangle offense”. The Carmelo Anthony era in New York could very well be over as it has been reported that Anthony will now be willing to waive his “no-trade” clause if he can join a potential championship-caliber team such as the Houston Rockets or the Cleveland

Cavaliers. If the trade does happen, that now shifts the face of the franchise over to Porzingis. Coach Hornacek has said the trade rumors involving Kristaps are no longer an issue. At 7’-3”, Porzingis has shown significant improvements from year one to year two. The team will now focus on building around him. It will not be done overnight and the rebuilding of the Knicks may be years away. Porzingis is now the “shining star” in New York. We’ll just have to see what takes place in the coming days/months and years. Porzingis is sure to get better and stronger again at just 21 years of age. We’ll see what kind of players the team can surround him with as well as using the draft to build the team as well.

Sports Notes: Question of the week. Who left the Knicks in worse shape, Isaiah Thomas or Phil Jackson? E-mail me at Castroedie714@gmail.com and tell me your thoughts. On behalf of myself and everyone here at Our Time Press, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July Week!

Demanding Housing for Current Crown Heights Residents ➔➔ Continued from page 2 This proposed zoning change would result in shadows, traffic congestion and demands on-street or alternative parking.

The ULURP Chairman explained the decision sequence started with the community board followed by the Borough President, then the NYC Department of City Planning, the NYC Council member and to Mayor de Blasio, although the NYC Council can override the mayor’s decision.

Liburd informed the body that the ULURP Committee would put together their recommendations for the armory’s redevelopment and submit them to the Brooklyn Borough President and other points of the decision chain in advance of disposition deadlines.

It was during the public comment period that other important information was revealed: Alicia Boyd said BFC Partners negotiated a deal with CM Laurie Cumbo wherein

one-third of Bedford Union Armory would be sold to them for one dollar and that BFC Partners would not provide the community with financial records. Ms. Boyd invited community members to her home to take part in strategy sessions during the months of July and August. Boyd cautioned the body that most likely litigation would be required.

Victor Moses, an organizer for Equality for Flatbush, presented information that indicated CB9 Chairman Musa Moore works for the real estate lobby. If this information is factual and Moore hadn’t declared this position, Moore has put himself in a tenuous position with CB9.

During this period, there were a number of comments coming from those still seated and those who signed the public comment list that expressed dissatisfaction with BFC Partners. It appears BFC Partners has a trail of unsatisfied customers. According to The Real Deal’s TRData, “BFC Partners,

established in 1985, has been targeted by tenants over the years with allegations of shoddy construction. In 2006, the firm settled with Attorney General Eliot Spitzer to fix water damage and structural defects in a Harlem building, and three years later BFC was in court defending itself against a lawsuit by condo owners in Williamsburg who alleged defective design”.

Finally, CM Laurie Cumbo came to the front to address the public. She endured minutes of jeering which had her get testy by stating that she would not force herself to talk given her condition. Cumbo explained that “the bowling alley and skating rink dried up as did the genus of the Bedford Union Armory”. She encouraged CB9 members to “vote it down because it is unthinkable with so little affordable housing…it is a slap in our faces”. Cumbo encouraged the board to “continue to vote ‘No’ because we deserve better; we deserve affordable housing”. Apparently, someone

in attendance did not accept her explanation well. Toward the end of Cumbo’s speech, a few women located in the center back rows of the auditorium stood and chanted “Ede! Ede! Ede!” Despite her strong “No” recommendation, in agreement with the board majority, Cumbo still faced jeers. Deborah Marcano, a resident of Brooklyn Community District 9, explained that, “Laurie Cumbo’s speech is the opposite of what she has been promoting for the past months. Once she saw the project was untenable, she quickly changed her stance on it”.

The last agenda item was the vote on Bedford Union Armory’s redevelopment.

In like-minded as the ULURP Committee, the CB9 members unanimously voted “No” on the development team’s-- consisting of BFC Partners (Developer), CAMBA (Facility Operator) and Marvel Architects (MWBE-Certified Architect)— plan.

City Agency Imagines Gentrification As Human Rights Issue ■■

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ew York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR) Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis came to Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Restoration Plaza last night in the agency’s effort to reach out to what they perceive to be one of New York’s most vulnerable communities.

Malalis was part of a panel discussion that journalist Kai Wright moderated and included Rabbi Bob Kaplan from the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Kirsten John Foy of the National Action Network, and Michelle Laguerre from the Jewish Board of Mental Health.

During the discussion, the five experts expounded upon the ways the neighborhood of BedfordStuyvesant has changed over the past few years, at the expense of its minority and low-income tenants.

“There’s certainly a lot of change going on in New York City,” said Malalis. “And we recognize that not everyone in the city necessarily benefits from that change, and certainly not at the pace that other people here do.”

Malalis and her peers elaborated on that point by citing several examples of the neighborhood’s longtime tenants getting priced out of their own homes and subjected to racial harassment. Malalis pointed out that of all the complaints her organization received in 2016, about 50 percent were related to racial discrimination, and most of those were filed by black New Yorkers.

“What’s at stake for many black people is their legacy,” said Foy. “In Bed-Stuy, you have brownstones that were owned by grandmothers and great-grandmothers who are no longer able to maintain their properties, or their properties are being stolen from them.”

Foy further explained that the fight to resist gentrification is particularly important to Bed-Stuy, due to its historical status as one of New York’s quintessential African-American neighborhoods.

“When the real estate industry decides it is more profitable to jettison the history, to jettison the culture, to jettison the people in the name of profiteering, then what’s at stake is our very culture. Harlem and BedStuy are cultural capitals of black America,” Foy said.

Over the course of the discussion, the panel repeatedly encouraged attendees to call the NYCCHR whenever they feel that they’re being discriminated against, since the safety and comfort of New York’s most marginalized groups is their highest priority.

However, during the Q&A, some of the audience members expressed skepticism that the NYCCHR would be able to offer a concrete solution.

“I’ve gotten a lot of knowledge tonight on what’s going on,” said one attendee, “but I’ve gotten no answers on solutions. I need to know what I need to do to change things. Who do I need to speak to that’s gonna change things?”

The attendee then proceeded to ask, specifically, ➔➔ Continued on page 11

VOL. 21 NO. 27

OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017

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STOP CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

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OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017

NEW BUSINESS FORMATIONS WELL NETWORK SOLUTIONS MSO LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/12/17. Amended to NETWORK SOLUTIONS MSO, LLC on 05/24/17. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Inessa Sable, 3165 Emmons Avenue, Suite C2-C3, Brooklyn, NY 11235 563 Grand Street, LLC, Art. Of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 02/01/2017.

Office in QUEENS Co. SSNY design.

Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 563 Grand Street, BROOKLYN, NY 11211 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of EASTERN OBESITY ASSOCIATES, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/15/17. Office location: Kings County.

Princ. office of LLC: 1162 Eastern Pkwy., Brooklyn, NY 11213. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of JL & MT Realty LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 6/5/17. Office location: Kings County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: 187 Wolf Rd, Ste 101, Albany, NY 12205. The name and address of the Reg. Agent is Business Filings Incorporated, 187 Wolf Rd, Ste 101, Albany, NY 12205. Purpose: any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC AUCTION Supreme Court of New York, Kings County.

SRMOF II 2012-1 TRUST, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE, Plaintiff, -againstCLEO CHARLES-PHILLIPS; ROBERT PHILLIPS; CITY OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; CITY OF NEW YORK TRANSIT AUTHORITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION & FINANCE; SOPHIA JOHNSON, Index No. 2713/2013. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated, February 21, 2017 and entered with the Kings County Clerk on April 6, 2017, Gregory Laspina, Esq., the Appointed Referee, will sell the premises known as 553 Lenox Road, Brooklyn, New York 11203 at public auction at Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Room 224, Brooklyn, New York 11201, on June

Integrated Bodywork Center of Brooklyn, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/17/2017. Office location: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 488 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215 . Purpose: Any lawful activity.

The International African Arts Festival ➔➔ Continued from page 6

NYC/VTR LLC Notice of formation of NYC/VTR LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) GREENE AVENUE NATURAL on 02/21/2017. Office location, County of WINES LP Cert. of Limited Partnership Kings. SSNY has been designated as agent filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 5/18/2017. of the LLC upon whom process against it Office in Kings Co. SSNY designated as may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: agent of LP upon whom process may be LEGALINC Corporate Services, Inc. 1967 served. SSNY shall mail copy of process Wehrle Drive, Buffalo NY 14221, STE 1 # to 292 Carlton Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205, 086. Purpose: any lawful act.

the success of a people’s liberation movement will be determined by how it wages cultural revolution within, and political revolution without. This is what Kawaida teaches us.

Culture is the totality of thought and practice of a people. So, we have to build and maintain cultural institutions and we have to understand the need for institutions that are rooted in our history and culture”.

For the consumer, a trip to the IAAF is so much more than just an opportunity to purchase incense or a plate of curry chicken. The IAAF is a living and breathing embodiment of the Pan-African experience in Brooklyn past, present and future. Within the confines of Commodore Barry Park, a diverse global representation of African culture mixes and matches itself until the lines become too blurry to make out the names and the countries. It reveals that African culture is but one massive tree with many branches and leaves.

And the festival is not just a marketplace and performance venue, but it’s more of an annual pop-up museum educating all that come through the gates on the history and stories of the African experience in America. And its tenure as the longest-running street festival in Brooklyn is proof that the African experience is an important part of the human experience.

creditors, successors-in-interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said ALEAH HOLLAND, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and all creditors thereof, and the respective husbands, or widowers of hers, if any, all of whose names and addresses are unknown to Plaintiffs; NIGEL POWELL, if living, or if he be dead, his wife, heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, assignees, lienors, creditors, successors-in- interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said NIGEL POWELL, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and all creditors thereof, and the respective wives, or widows of his, if any, all of whose names and addresses are unknown to Plaintiffs; WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB DOING BUSINESS AS CHRISTIANA TRUST NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR BRONZE CREEK TITLE TRUST 2013NPL1; NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT AUTHORITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE and “JOHN DOE #1” THROUGH “JOHN DOE #100”, the names of the last 100 defendants being fictitious, the true names of said defendants being unknown to plaintiffs, it being intended to designate fee owners, tenants or occupants of the liened premises and/or persons or parties having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the liened premises, if the aforesaid individual defendants are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and the assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them, and generally all persons

having or claiming under, by, through, or against the said defendants named as a class, of any right, title or interest in or lien upon the premises described in the complaint herein, Defendants. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS:YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in the above-entitled foreclosure action, and to serve a copy of your answer on Plaintiffs’ attorney within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal service within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Kings County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject premises.

Dated: December 22, 2015 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an Order of Honorable Kathy J. King, a Justice of the Supreme Court, dated January 28, 2016, and filed with supporting papers in the Kings County Clerk’s Office and an Order of Honorable Kathy J. King, a Justice of the Supreme Court, dated February 10, 2017, and filed with supporting papers in the Kings County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a tax lien covering the property known as 2089 Pacific Street, Borough of Brooklyn, New York and identified as Block 1432, Lot 53 (the “Tax Parcel”). The relief sought is the sale of the Tax Parcel at public auction in satisfaction of the tax lien. In case of your failure to appear, judgment may be taken against you in the sum of $11,327.03, together with interest, costs, disbursements and attorneys’ fees of this action, and directing the public sale of the Tax Parcel. PHILLIPS LYTLE LLP Anthony J. Iacchetta Attorneys for Plaintiffs NYCTL 1998-2 Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon as Collateral Agent and Custodian 28 East Main Street Suite 1400 Rochester, New York 14614 Telephone No. (585) 238-2000 aiacchetta@phillipslytle. com

Notice of formation of AMOROSA 5, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Certificate of registration filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/06/2017.

NY office location: Kings County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the United States Corporation Agents Service Inc., 7014 13th Avenue , suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228 Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SAMARKAND SERVICE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/2017. Office location: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 1656 E19TH APT 1G, Brooklyn, NY 11229 . Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS MTGLQ Investors, Plaintiff AGAINST Jason Dupree; Makida Tomlinson a/k/a Makida S. Tomlinson; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated March 4, 2016 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Room 224, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on August 3, 2017 at 2:30PM, premises known as 592 Powell Street, Brooklyn, NY 11212. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of NY, Block: 3847 Lot: 140. Approximate amount of judgment $358,898.41 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 10075/2013. Calvin J. Simons, Jr., Esq., Referee Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 759-1835 Dated: June 8, 2017 46582

which is also the principal business location.

Name and address of each general partner is avail. from SSNY. Purpose: food and wine service. Latest dissolution date: 5/18/2117.

VOL. 21 NO. 27

15, 2017 at 2:30 P.M. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings and State of New York known as Block: 4845; Lot: 28 will be sold subject to the provisions of filed Judgment, Index No. 2713/2013. The approximate amount of judgment is $1,047,226.32 plus interest and costs. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF KINGS EMC MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff against VALERIE ISOLENE RUTHERFORD, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on November 29, 2016. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 224 of the Kings County Courthouse, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. on the 27th day of July, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. premises described as follows: All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, Said premises known as 632 Vermont Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11207.

(Block: 3824, Lot: 48). Approximate amount of lien $ 570,241.54 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 10380-11. M. Randolph Jackson, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, P.C. Attorney(s) for Plaintiff145 Huguenot Street – Suite 210 New Rochelle, New York 10801 (914) 636-8900 SUMMONS AND NOTICE Index No. 18082-2014 Borough: Brooklyn Block: 1432 Lot: 53 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF KINGS NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Plaintiffs, v. HEAL HOME OWNERS INC; ALEAH HOLLAND, if living, or if she be dead, her husband, heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, assignees, lienors,

Notice of Formation of SMORKIN FAMILY MANAGEMENT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/24/15. Office location: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 1169 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11230.

As amended by Cert. of Amendment filed with SSNY on 08/29/16, name changed to SMORKIN-EVERS MANAGEMENT LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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Obituary

B

Bro. Napoleon Rafe Cockern December 22, 1932-June 24, 2017

ro. Napoleon Rafe Cockern was born on December 22, 1932 to the late Venetta Sadie and the late Berry Cockern in Crowville, Louisiana.

The third of 7 children, Napoleon had one sister, Cora Lee “Sister” Cockern, and 5 brothers, Earl, AB “Sonny”, Charles, Rodgers and Freddie Lee “Mickey” Cockern, who all preceded him in death.

Growing up, Napoleon accepted Christ into his life and was a member of the Philadelphia Baptist Church in Crowville, Louisiana.

Napoleon attended and graduated early from Franklin Parish Training High School in Winnesboro, Louisiana in 1949.

At the age of 17, Napoleon obtained special permission to enter the US Army early where he spent the next 23 years stationed all over the world as part of the Army Intelligence Corps. His time in the military included 13 years in Europe working with NATO, living in the Netherlands and Germany, 2 years in Africa stationed in Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Republic of Congo and Kenya working with groups such as the Organization of African Unity, 1 year in Korea, 1 year in South America and 2 years in Vietnam as a military advisor.

Napoleon was a highly decorated career military serviceman whose awards include the Army Commendation Medal (w/OLC), the National Service Defense Medal (w/ OLC), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (RVN) and Good Conduct Medal (4th Award). In 1972, Napoleon retired from the Army and went back to school earning degrees in education and engineering from Queens College. He worked for Sperry/Unisys as a “top secret” logistics engineer working in the design of navigation systems for nuclear submarines before retiring in 1993.

In 1954, Napoleon’ s first marriage to Mary Mark of Picayune, MS blessed him with a loving daughter, Louise. In 1964, he was introduced to and fell in love with his “jewel” Catherine A. Frazier, who was living in NY. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married on August 31, 1966 at Selfridge AFB in Michigan. Their 39-year union produced 2 children, Salome Nicole and Alan Rafe. They were also the guardians of another daughter, Fikerte Sally, who was sent to the US by her parents during the political uprising in Ethiopia. As Catherine had been a proud member of Bridge Street AWME Church for 10 years, Napoleon began attending as well. He eventually joined the church and rededicated his life to Christ, serving faithfully and tirelessly on several committees and boards over the years

Napoleon Cockern including the Lay Organization, the Media Ministry and Finance Committee, as well as a longtime Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Napoleon was also extremely active in his local community of Franklin Square, NY: coaching girls soccer and softball as well as boys soccer, baseball and basketball for over 10 years. He was a fundraiser at his children’s high school as Chairman of the Carey Dads Association.

A devoted family man, Napoleon traveled the country with his family visiting extended family and friends, always bearing smiles and enough gifts for everyone.

Upon retiring, Napoleon devoted himself to taking care of his beloved wife until she passed away in 2004. An avid fisherman, he enjoyed innumerable charters with his friend’s deep-sea fishing for mackerel, bluefish, seabass, porgies or whatever was running that day.

On Saturday afternoon, June 24th, 2017, Napoleon was called suddenly from Glory to Reward after a short hospitalization, surrounded by his children.

Napoleon leaves behind 4 devoted children, Louise Cockern Harvin (Kizer) of Picayune, MS; Fikerte Sally Burns of Warwick, NY; Dr. Salome Nicole Cockern of Redford, MI and Alan Cockern (Shannon) of Franklin Square, NY; 5 grandchildren, Kysha Hall, Brianne Jones, Nora Burns, Markus Hasri Burns and Daniel Rafe Cockern; 5 great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Stephanie, Shaun, Zoe Skye and Kendall; 3 sisters-inlaw, Mary Simon, Louise Horn and Betty Frazier; scores of nieces, nephews and cousins and multitudes of friends, neighbors and loved ones. His love, selfless nature and generous spirit were abundantly evident to everyone he ever came in contact with. He will be sorely missed.

City Agency Imagines Gentrification As Human Rights Issue ➔➔ Continued from page 8 what he should do if he faces hiring discrimination. In response, Malalis assured him that her organization will be perfectly capable of helping him if he calls in.

“I can’t provide you with a job,” said Malalis. “What I can say is that if you feel like you’ve applied for a job and you haven’t gotten that job because you’re black or because of your ethnic background or because of your religion. I’m gonna say, tonight, before you leave, I will connect

you with one of our lawyers here, and they will call you back.”

Furthermore, Malalis said that she plans to continue keeping her organization as open, engaged and available as possible.

The panel discussion, said Malalis, was the first part of what will be an ongoing effort to keep the borough’s most vulnerable citizens educated and empowered.

“We want you all to know that this is an important conversation for us,” said Malalis. “We want this to be the first of many conversations, and we want to be able to talk about this and other issues.”

11

The Butterfly Effect of Transformation ➔➔ Continued from page 5

the men as Brother or Baba. The clothing and the food reminded me of the African Street Festival. The songs they sang were of pride, Black pride. This was African culture. There was a consciousness of self-determination that was so evident in everyone. The seeds of Black pride were evident even in the youngest of the children there. This was all new to me.

I mean, I grew up in a Black home to Black parents who discussed Black issues, but never did my Blackness feel more owned, more of my own than it did in this room during this Kwanzaa Celebration. It felt amazing.

Once the program began, I was shocked to see that the same giant from years ago was here, even more shocked to realize that he was my friend Kojo’s father, and Amen’s uncle! His name was Jitu Weusi and he was one of the founding members of The East. I listened intently to the program that evening and I left with an entirely new perspective on who I was as a person and who we were as a people. I went home and told my family that we should celebrate Kwanzaa. I was 15.

My mother looked at me, trying to figure her son out. And then she nodded in agreement.

The seeds of Black pride planted in me from a chance appearance at The East Kwanzaa Celebration was already growing.

Mama Aminisha Black, Kojo’s mother, penned “The Parents Notebook” for Our Time Press for 14 years. She was a warm and loving woman, someone who built you up with her words and made you feel like you were part of something bigger. I loved her for her spirit and her commitment to her community. She showed an interest in my writing abilities and encouraged me to find my voice.

Her column was a weekly read for me. She wrote about things like self-esteem and the

importance of providing opportunities for our children to grow and develop. Her column spoke to the bigger ideals of self and cultural identity. Her articles read like a blueprint on how to engage not just as a parent to a child, but as a member of a community. One of her famous quotes is this: The transformation of a Nation takes place in the hearts and homes of its people. I know this to be true. Though I did not grow up in the Weusi or the Mashariki home, the work that these families and others put forth did indeed transform me. If not for events like the African Street Festival, there may be pieces and parts of African culture that I would’ve never experienced or even noticed. If not for my friendship with Amen, I may not have ever been privy to discussions about the Nguzo Saba. I may not have ever known about the history of Pan-Africanism which sprouted right in the neighborhood I was raised. I owe the arc of the trajectory of my life, in part, to the teachings of The East, to Baba Job and Baba Jitu.

I’ve come on with Our Time Press recently and have been penning a column that I call “The Thinker’s Notebook”. The mission is to provide a new perspective on the happenings in our neighborhoods and also the world-at-large, always speaking to the bigger ideals of the self and cultural identity. This column is my way of giving back to Mama Aminisha all that she’s given us. Her words and ideals could never be replaced. A good gardener knows that it’s more beneficial to plant in fertile soil than it is to replace the garden. And so, I look to place seeds back into the enriched soil of Mama Aminisha’s work so that we may yield more fruit. I thank David Greaves and Bernice Green for the opportunity to take up the baton and I look forward to sharing with you. Aluta Continua.

Victoria Acerta.

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OUR TIME PRESS July 6 – 12, 2017

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