OUR TIME PRESS | August 23 – 29, 2018

| From the Villa ge of Brook ly n |

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

| VOL. 22 NO. 34

August 23 – 29, 2018 |

Since 1996

The Statesman and The Queen: World Pays Respects

Kofi Annan April 8, 1938 - August 18, 2018 Skilled in the art and science of diplomacy, former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Amman built bridges, weathered storms and championedfreedom everywhere for everyone. A Nobel Prize winner, he was Ghana’s pride and joy, a cherished inspiration to the African Diaspora and a beacon of light across the globe.

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View From Here ■■

By David Mark Greaves

The Statesman During this time in America when the President of the United States is an unindicted felon and reading about the happenings in and around the White House leaves you feeling dirty, it is good to remember, even at his passing, Kofi Annan. “Annan came from a line of Ashanti tribal chiefs,” writes James Traub in Foreign Policy. “He understood, in the chiefly way, that one could win by allowing the other man to feel that he had won, a strategic act of ego suppression whose merits one could not even explain, much less justify, to the current President of the United States.” Annan was a different sort of leader. A different role model for the world. His current activities and his biography from the Kofi Annan Foundation are on page 6.

Aretha Franklin March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018 Our precious Aretha was named “Queen of Soul” at 19 years of age. She continued to earn and keep that title throughout her life, mastering not just her extraordinary craft, also the art of remaining open-hearted, letting the love and light shine through. Pages 7-9

The Queen From around the world come reactions to the passing of Aretha Franklin at 76. She gave us a soundtrack that runs through our lives and lifted us up whenever we heard it.

And even when she’s gone, her vibrations will stay with us, raising our spirits for the rest of our lives. What a gift to have lived in her time.

One cannot listen to Aretha and not have the heart flutter a bit, it is a reaction that is from the autonomic nervous system, it is in the soul and beyond conscious control. And there is no use trying to put into words what she gave us. That would require being able to write like Aretha sang. And God does not grant powers like that often. William Shakespeare had that gift and he wrote of the soul of humanity in words lasting 400 years. Striking the same notes, Aretha’s voice will endure the same.

The Unindicted Co-Conspirator According to testimony by his former lawyer Michael Cohen, the President of the United States directed and coordinated a conspiracy to violate campaign finance laws, a federal felony to which Cohen had just pled guilty. The president is in office as an unindicted co-conspirator. A straightup criminal. The comparison former FBI director James Comey made of Trump to a mob boss was not over the top, it was dead-on.

The nation has come to learn that despite a mountain of rules, regulations and laws, that much of our system of government depends on human decency and respect for norms of behavior.

Trump has taught us that for him, as for any sociopath, respect for norms is for the weak.

He showed “grace, humanity, humility and strength” while doing “the most impossible job on Earth.”

■■ Jayme S. Ganey, diversityinc.com August 20, 2018

K

ofi Annan, who was described by his own foundation colleagues as “strong and fit” while “he worked until the very end, without giving himself a break,” succumbed to a short illness on Saturday at age 80. His foundation made the announcement on Twitter.

The former U.N. Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate had been living in Geneva for a decade running a nonprofit,

and had recently returned from Zimbabwe “a little weakened, but all those working closely with him day in and day out did not see this coming,” said Bijan Farnoudi, a spokesman for the Kofi Annan Foundation.

For decades, Annan, a native of Ghana, championed efforts to try to end conflicts in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

He triumphed in many cases, like persuaded Saddam Hussein to comply with weapons inspections, East Timor’s independence and stability, his commitment to fighting HIV in Africa and in times where he

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And with the inexorable Special Counsel Robert Mueller continuing his investigation, the country may have to accept a difficult reality. Because if it came to a choice between disgrace and personal financial ruin caused by the Russians versus the alternative of crippling the United States, we all know in our hearts without a doubt, that Trump would choose self-preservation without a second thought.

With the Republican majority in Congress held captive by the 42% of Americans in their gerrymandered districts supporting Trump no matter what and voting against any representative who doesn’t, where this goes from here is unknown. What is known is that we must all be engaged in correcting the course of the nation by ensuring that all get an opportunity to vote and get out and do it.

And after the midterm elections, be prepared to buckle up.

Aretha: View From Detroit

The Detroit News

o the world, Aretha Franklin was the Queen of Soul. For Detroiters, she was also our voice.

Franklin, who died Thursday at age 76, was among the greatest singers of her generation. And the music that carried her to fame was pure Detroit, nurtured in its churches and

polished in its concert halls.

Franklin came out of Northwestern High School, the daughter of famed preacher and civil rights champion the Rev. C.L. Franklin.

She found her first audience in her father’s church, New Bethel Baptist, on the city’s west side. ➔➔ Continued from page 11

Also: Atty. Roger Wareham on the significance of Marcus Garvey, page 2 and Brooklyn Celebrates William (Bill) Howard, Page 10

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VOL. 22 NO. 34

Kofi Annan: A Model Statesman for the World

ofi A. Annan was the 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations and is the founder and chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation. In 2001, he and the United Nations were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. Kofi Annan was praised for being “preeminent in bringing new life to the organization.” (Norwegian Nobel Committee, October 2001) Current activities With the Kofi Annan Foundation, Mr. Annan mobilizes political will to overcome threats to peace, development and human rights.

Mr. Annan believes that the expertise and evidence needed to solve pressing problems such as poverty, violent conflict and poor governance in most cases already exists.

Progress is held back too often due to a lack of leadership and of political will to use it to identify and deliver solutions.

Kofi Annan set up the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2007 to mobilize leaders of all sectors to provide leadership where

Courtesy: The Kofi Anan Foundation Credit Image: © Cortes A / Notimex / Newscom via ZUMA Press it’s needed. The foundation works on the premise that there can be no long-term peace without development and no sustainable development without peace. And no society can long remain prosperous without the rule

of law and respect for human rights.

The foundation works to identify new threats to peace and security and supports Mr. Annan’s preventive diplomacy and mediation activities. Kofi Annan chaired the Global

Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security (March 2011 to September 2012), and in January 2013, launched the West Africa Commission on Drugs, as a response to the surge in drug trafficking and consumption in West Africa and their impact on security, governance and public health.

The foundation also works with select partner organizations to amplify Kofi Annan’s voice and catalyze effective action on the promotion of food and nutrition security, sustainable development and support for good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

In early 2008, he led the African Union’s Panel of Eminent African Personalities, which mediated a peaceful resolution to post-election violence in Kenya. Today, with his Foundation, Mr. Annan devotes considerable time to supporting democracy and elections with integrity.

From February to August 2012, he was ➔➔ Continued on page 16

The Statesman and The Queen: World Pays Respects ➔➔ Continued from page 1 was not triumphant, his grace showed.

After the Rwanda crisis where the U.S. Government was slow to intervene, and in Bosnia where UN forces withdrew and he was accused of failing, “Annan felt that the very countries that had turned their backs on the Rwandans and Bosnians were the ones making him their scapegoat,” Samantha Power, former UN ambassador during Obama’s administration, wrote in 2008.

“But he knew that his name would appear in the history books beside the two defining

genocidal crimes of the second half of the 20th century.”

Annan expressed regret: “The international community failed Rwanda, and that must leave us always with a sense of bitter regret and abiding sorrow.”

Annan also addressed environmental issues. In one of his last arguments in December, before the major Climate Conference in Paris, he said: “In the past when we went through this sort of crisis, you had leaders who had the courage and the vision to want to take action, to understand that they needed to work with www.citytech.cuny.edu/directadmissions

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others. Today, leaders are going in the wrong direction…Leaders are withdrawing.”

One of Annan’s predecessors had referred to his role as “the most impossible job on Earth.”

Leaders have expressed their sentiments for Annan: NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg: “His warmth should never be mistaken for weakness. Annan showed that one can be a great humanitarian and a strong leader at the same time.”

UN Human Rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein: “Kofi was humanity’s best example,

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the epitome, of human decency and grace.

In a world now filled with leaders who are anything but that, our loss, the world’s loss, becomes even more painful.”

Barack Obama said he “embodied the mission of the UN like few others.

His integrity, persistence, optimism and sense of our common humanity always informed his outreach to the community of nations. “ Ghana has declared a week of national mourning. Funeral plans to be announced.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo called Annan “one of our greatest compatriots.”

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MARCUS MOSIAH GARVEY ■■

I

Roger Wareham

n 2018, reflecting on the significance of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a key lesson for organizers is the importance of human contact.

This may seem obvious but must not be taken for granted in an era of the domination of anti-social media. Marcus Garvey brought a strong message to Black people around the world. He addressed our need for nationalism, for Pan-Africanism, for self-determination and self-sufficiency. In an era of unbridled, unapologetic, vicious white supremacy and terrorism, he boldly articulated our demand for Black Power and Black Pride and put forward a program to accomplish this. Garvey reached Black people throughout the Diaspora and on the African continent and organized the greatest mass movement of Black people in the 20th century. There was no Internet. There was no television. There was no air travel. Garvey’s message was transmitted by “word of mouth” and by newspaper. Merchant seamen carried the paper around the world.

People-to-people contact. In the 21st century, our organizing, while using all technology available, has got to be grounded in the day-to-day, face-toface contact with our people. It is hard work. It is unglamorous. But it is the only way to organize that ensures the ability of our people to survive and liberate ourselves in a resurgent white supremacist century where we are no longer economically necessary to a dying U.S. economy and where the ethnic cleansing of our communities is being carried out across the country.

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OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

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WHAT’S GOING ON ■■

By Victoria Horsford

BLACK LEGENDS

Kofi Annan RIP: Internationalist and diplomat-extraordinaire KOFI ANNAN, 80, died in Switzerland last weekend. In 1997, he became the first sub-Saharan African to become Secretary-General of the United Nations, the world peace organization. The SecretaryGeneral for 10 years, Annan revitalized the UN and prioritized human rights. His management style was known as “humanitarian intervention.” A recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2001, his memoir, “Interventions: A Life in War and Peace,” was published in 2012. He continued to mediate peace and conflict resolutions after he left the UN. In 2008, he was negotiating a post-election accord in Kenya. In 2012, he was summoned by the UN to join a group working on a settlement to end the Syrian War. A UN civil servant since 1962, Annan began working with WHO, its World Health Organization. By the 90s, Annan headed UN peacekeeping operations. He navigated crises from Somalia to Rwanda, and to Bosnia. During Secretary Annan’s watch, the world’s aggression proliferated.

Al-Qaeda strikes New York and Washington, DC on September 11, 2001 and all hell breaks loose culminating with the US invasion of Iraq, an action opposed by Annan. Like his predecessors, Annan and the General Assembly must defer to the UN Security Council, the body responsible for maintenance of the peace and its 5 permanent members, the USA, France, United Kingdom, China and Russia, all of whom have a veto which can block aggressive actions.

Ghana-born Annan, scion of an upper-class Akan family, graduated from high school in 1957, the year that Ghana achieved independence from the United Kingdom, a matter of pride for all Ghanaians. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from colleges in Ghana, the USA and Switzerland.

RIP: The “Queen of Soul” ARETHA FRANKLIN, 76, passed last week after a battle with pancreatic cancer. A vocalist,

Aretha Franklin civil rights activist, fashionista and the ultimate natural Black woman, Aretha won

is my pet w o n ne k “I hurrica a n i e welcom r.” n cente o i t a u c eva

2 E N ZO ATTAN

ANH Carol M

VOL. 22 NO. 34

18 Grammys, the highest American music award and sold more than 75 million albums.

She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her voice covered all genres, gospel, R&B, jazz, soul, pop, opera, an accomplishment which facilitated her ascent to the music world’s exalted heights and to superstardom. She was the American high priestess of American song, whose career spans six decades, peaking in the 60s and 70s, taking a detour and peaking again in the 90s.

Her discography boast songs like “I Never Loved A Man the Way I love You,” “Do Right Woman,” “Think,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Amazing Grace,” “Rock Steady,” “Until You Come Back To Me” and “Natural Woman,” which are really palliatives and meditations. Her “Respect” is the women’s movement anthem, ipso facto!

Aretha performed at fundraiser concerts for Dr. King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference and she was the most “in-demand” vocalist for inaugurations, appearing for Presidents Carter, Clinton and Obama.

Her onstage performances, like her personal life, were rife with song and high drama. In reading some of the remembrances of her, many of her eccentricities dimmed like her preference for cash payments for performances. That would explain the handbag prominent during her live acts. Her Kennedy Center fur coat saga….she wore it because she remembered the venue being cold, not good for her voice. Satisfied that it was comfy, she discarded the fur, tossing it to the floor. Aretha was a mom at 13, who married a few times, but those interruptions did not obstruct her momentum. She emerged as one of the brightest stars of her generation, a genuine American treasure. The Aretha biopix must go into production soon.

Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene and the South Bronx. NYC Sanitation has removed 1131 litter baskets in the past year. “Harlem has been the hardest hit.” The story spread like a contagion. Fox 5 TV, the NY Post and NY1 picked up the story and continued the media blitz to help restore garbage cans to affected areas.

For updates or to add info to this dialogue about missing garbage bins on your neighborhood street corner, join TRASHTALKINHARLEM. Go to HNBA@ googlegroups.com and request permission to join. Read more about how to make your politicos more proactive.

HARLEM/NYC SANITATION

Jesmy Ward

For weeks, the Central Harlem residents and homeowners have been lamenting the loss of NYC-owned trash receptacles, found routinely on most street corners. With the absence of those receptacles, pedestrians toss garbage indiscriminately along the street.

Garbage-strewn streets invite rodents and, on West 132nd Street, raccoons and myriad health problems. The garbage receptacles have been removed by NYC Sanitation from Harlem streets as far south as 120th Street and Lenox and as far north as 139th Street from Seventh Avenue west to Edgecombe and St. Nicholas Avenues. In addition to the newly littered streets, residents and homeowners are inundated with NYC Sanitation summonses for $100.

Continuous complaints to NYC Sanitation fell on deaf ears.

Harlem-based NYS Assemblywoman Inez Dickens intervened and managed to get the attention of the New York Times. See 8/20 NY Times story “NY Wants Tidy Streets, So It Cuts Back on Trash Cans” by Winnie Hu. Hu’s story reveals that the problem exists all over NYC including the Upper West Side,

[Visit HARLEMFW.COM] Founded five years ago by mother/ daughter entrepreneur team Tandra Birkett and Yvonne Jewnell, Harlem Fashion Week brings all of the glamour and trappings of NY Fashion Week uptown and provides a showcase for established and emerging Black designers and fashion world denizens. Birkett and Jewnell are owners of the internationally renowned fashion design company Yvonne Jewnell New York, LLC. [Visit HarlemFW.com]

HARLEM FASHION WEEK HARLEM FASHION WEEK is the ultimate uptown destination during the frenetic NY Fashion Week season. The busy Harlem Fashion Week schedule begins on September 6 with an opening night charity gala at Harlem’s tony Renaissance Restaurant.

HFW hosts its Designer Press Conference, A Meet and Greet, at the Aloft Hotel in Harlem on September 7. The HFW Runway Show will be held at the Museum of the City of New York. The HFW Independent Fashion Industry Summit convenes at the Schomburg Center on September 22.

BOOK TALK The current AOL.com newsfeed includes a list of 10 CLASSICS EVERYONE MUST READ IN THEIR LIVES, compiled by AOL editors. The list includes “Hamlet,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Of Mice and Men,” “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Elie Wiesel Night,” “The Catcher in the Rye,” “The Old Man and the Sea,” “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” and “The Odyssey.” What happened to Black authors for that lineup, like Chinua Achebe’s “THINGS FALL APART”?

14th Annual

Bed-Stuy Alive!

Kicks off Saturday, October 13 Visit NYC.gov/knowyourzone or call 311 to find out what to do to prepare for hurricanes in NYC #knowyourzone

Hold the Date!

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Thinkers Notebook

Will We Ever Forgive the NFL? There is still this question of the culture of America...

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By Marlon Rice

D

uring the 1995-1996 NBA season, Denver Nuggets point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf made the decision to not stand and salute the American Flag during the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the game. He wasn’t demonstrative about it, he simply did not stand and salute the flag, choosing instead to stretch himself along the sidelines, or to stay in the locker room. He did this for a few games before anyone noticed.

When a reporter decided to ask him about it, Rauf did not hold his tongue. He told the reporter that he viewed the American Flag as a symbol of racism and oppression. He stated that standing and saluting such a symbol would conflict with his religious beliefs. He said, “You cannot be for God and for oppression.” His comments created a national uproar on the issue. The NBA suspended Rauf for one game, without pay, for violating a rule that states that all players must line up in a dignified posture during the singing of the National Anthem. Rauf met with NBA execs and they actually came up with a compromise. When Rauf returned to the court on March 15, 1996, he did stand for the singing of the National Anthem. But instead of saluting the flag, Rauf stood in silent prayer. He continued to do this throughout the rest of the 1996 season.

The backlash that Rauf experienced was just despicable. He received death threats. His home was burned to the ground. Although he ended the ‘95-’96 season leading his team in points per game and assists per game, Rauf was traded at the end of the season to the Sacramento Kings.

In Sacramento, Rauf’s playing time decreased

Denver Nuggets point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf praying during the National Anthem. significantly, to the point where he was no longer starting or even playing much. In 1998, when his contract expired, Rauf’s career in the NBA was over. Teams wouldn’t even call him in for a tryout, and he was one of the best point guards of his era. From a league perspective, the NBA stayed true to the rules. Players had to be standing in a dignified posture for the anthem, period.

There wasn’t much in the way of backlash from the public-at-large. I don’t remember people protesting the league’s decision to suspend Rauf, and I certainly don’t remember people calling for a boycott of the NBA. The NBA Finals that year drew an average of 19 million households for every game.

Twenty years later, Colin Kaepernick made the decision to take a knee in silent protest of the National Anthem. His decision was also met with a national uproar on the issue. He did receive death threats, but his house wasn’t burned

to the ground. The NFL didn’t suspend him for a game, but at the end of the 2016-2017 season, Kaep chose to opt out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers and to become a free agent.

Aside from a couple of brief opportunities, Kaep’s career took a deathblow because of his silent protest. He’s been out of football ever since. Most importantly though, the consumer attention on the issue has been constant, and last year there were many Americans who boycotted the league in support of Kaep.

Why didn’t the NBA’s handling of Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf create the same rebellious buzz amongst its market as the NFL’s handling of Kaep did? Comparing the two situations, it would seem that the NBA’s reaction was more worthy of public scrutiny. The NFL didn’t suspend Kaep, but the blackball job they did on him was more acute than the way Rauf lingered before finally being sent into limbo.

Social media hyperrealizes everything, and so the Kaep issue had millions more eyes on it than the Rauf issue did. No one even knew what Rauf was doing until a reporter asked him to explain it. The true litmus comparison though is in the nature of each protest. Rauf’s protest in 1996 was about the symbol. He said that the flag was a symbol of oppression and that he couldn’t in good conscious stand and salute it. Even in its specificity, such a protest is still vague in focus.

It was the symbol being protested and not a bigger indictment on the culture. Kaep’s protest was not about the flag. Kaep’s protest was about the culture of America, specifically the killing of Blacks by law enforcement officers. This protest puts a name and a face into the gauntlet, drawing America into its most flawed attribute, its ideals about race. The NBA compromised with Rauf by letting him pray during the anthem because who can argue sides on such a vague reason to protest. There was no compromise offered regarding Kaep’s protest because any compromise would be an acceptance of blame and white America has still yet to fully come to grips with its accountability with regards to race.

Nor do they wish to. Not today. Not tomorrow.

The 2018-2019 NFL Football season starts on September 6, 2018. America’s greatest sport will kick off its 99th season. Maybe in time, those who choose to boycott the league for its handling of Kaep will move past the facts and begin to love the game again. Maybe in time. But I doubt that happens this year. There is still this question of the culture of America, and as long as the NFL chooses to purposely ignore that question, many former fans will ignore the games. Are you ready for some football? Not really.

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On Education ■■

Parents: 7 Basic tips for a Successful School Year

By Michael Johnson

1. Organization! All students need a quiet and consistent time and place for doing evening-weekend-school brake, homework and study. To be clear, Homework is the work given by the teacher to reinforce the classwork, and Studying is gaining clarity, and a deeper and more advanced understanding of that classwork. The general rule is that consistent studying beyond homework, will make any student: struggling, average or high achieving, into a much better and stronger student! For Middle & High School Students (M&HSS), they need a yearlong calendar based organizer-planner. A neat separate class notes (study guides) taking system. Students in every grade need subject/class specific-separate (color coded) folders for returned & graded homework, essays, reports, quizzes, test, assignments and projects.

Lack of organization is one of the major ‘pitfalls’ for first year M&HSS. 2. The ‘old folks’ said that: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”. Also true is that too much ‘idle’ time away from school, can undermine and diminish any good teaching-learning done in school.

Fill your child’s after and weekend out-of-school time with academically supportive, fun, and discipline-developing activities. Things like: Independent ‘reading for fun’, Scouting, Chess, Art, Dance, Acting, Martial Arts, Vocal & Instrumental Music, coached-organized sports (e.g. fencing, archery, swimming,

gymnastics, etc.) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs and classes. It is important to get boys around a positive male mentor/ role model, and supportive male peers who honor and seek to do well in school.

Turn your city into a weekend and school break ‘classroom’! There are many free and reduced admission cost to museums, art classes, exhibits, parks, cultural institutions, special events, and theater performances. A Public Library card is free. In NYC a Public Library card allows free access to 33 participating museums across the city. Visit, https://www.culturepass.nyc/ 3. Be a mentor-guide and high academic standards champion for your child (Find a friend your own age!) Young people will essentially rise to the level of expectations placed on them by the significant adults in their lives. Don’t go A.W.O.L, Away Without Oversight and Leadership, when they hit the ‘independent’ middle & high school years. Only asking: “How was school today?” and receiving the typical answer: “fine” or “Ok”; is a recipe for academic disaster. Have a real conversation with your child about what is going on with their school life. Be ‘educationally nosey’. By the way, there is no grade on any report card or transcript for things like: ‘best dressed’, ‘cutest’, or ‘most expensive sneakers’! Set up an effective communication ‘early warning’ link with school administrators and teachers through email, ‘parent-teacher journal’, notebook notes, text messages or phone.

If you discover after report cards are issued that your child has, or is failing a course-subject area, or is engaging in self-destructive misbehaviors, that is a serious problem.

4. Students need to be well rested, eat a good breakfast, and get to school every day, and on time. M&HSS parents should make sure that the child is arriving to school, and each class on time, and that they are prepared to behave and do their classwork. Encourage good ‘learning habits’ in your child, like daily (including weekends) studying, ‘pride in what you produce’, and not waiting for the last minute to do homework, a class assignment or project.

5. Make it ‘OK’ for your child to be smart and get high grades. For M&HSS parents this is a critical life determining period for your child, they won’t get a second shot at childhood. Boys especially, must be monitored carefully. Are they surrendering to negative peer-pressure and ‘dumbing-down’? Also, ‘Smartness’, contrary to popular belief, can be grown. Support any hobby, interest or activity in or out of school that increases your child’s thinking capabilities.

6. Attend “Back to School” events, PTA/ PA meetings, parent workshops, join the school parent list serve, if there is a ‘parent portal’ on the school’s website sign up. Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences (P/TC), for which you will need a ‘winning strategy’. I will explain that ‘winning strategy’ for realizing a successful P/TC in a later

column.

7. Important for high school parents, you must learn quickly the difference between the K-8 promotional system, and the high school credit based ‘Carnegie’ promotional system. Request that your child’s school do a ‘how to read and interpret a high school transcript’ parent workshop. Request a copy of your child’s transcript at the end of each school year; make sure that he is on ‘schedule’ to graduate with his ‘class’. You (and your child) must be familiar with the requirements (courses and exams to pass, number of credits required to earn) to be promoted to each next grade, and ultimately to graduation.

There is no ‘seat time’ or ‘aging out’ credit that can lead to a grade promotion or a high school graduation.

All the above basic but essential actions represent attributes of an effective education parent. And although you need not be a professional educator to practice them; know that they are the ‘successful parenting techniques’ utilized by professional educators who are parents themselves.

Michael A. Johnson has served as a teacher, principal, and a school district superintendent. He also served as an adjunct professor of Science Education in the School of Education at St. John’s University.

He recently completed a book on school leadership: Report to the Principal’s Office: Tools for Building Successful High School Administrative Leadership… http://reporttotheprincipalsoffice.net/

Back to School ■■

G

By Ellis Jordan Lewis

oing back to school (Beloit College, Wisconsin) can be a variety of things. For elementary school, it means going back to see friends and having recess. For middle school, it means going

back to moments where you are at your most vulnerable and exposed. The same goes for high school—only this time drama is involved. However, what makes college stand out from the K through 12 years is that each time you go back you feel there is something new. The biggest being your increasing newfound independence. Even in high school or middle school you still live at home with your family. In college, you meet new teachers and students on campus every year, you choose your own classes, choose your own major, there are more opportunities to meet new people or form even deeper connections through clubs, sororities or fraternities. You also have your own space and the freedom to customize it without parental judgment or criticism. Your parents won’t tell you how often you need to clean it, or do your laundry. Instead, you clean your room and do your laundry on your terms.

Unlike previous school years, you feel yourself grow more as college years pass.

When you leave high school, you may have goals already in mind and you feel like you have a grip on things, but during your freshman year you realize that being independent means you have new responsibilities and

you will need to adjust your outlook to fit your new lifestyle. You are now responsible for your own health, finances and time management so you will need to plan accordingly.

For some people, their first taste of independence is overwhelming, too much freedom and very little structure. As a result, your first year forces you to grow quickly and you witness some people drop out because they may not be ready or college may not be for them. This is important. After all, some people find that after a full year or even a semester they want to tackle life in a different way and that is fine.

After your first year, you will grow into a rhythm. When you go back to school in your second year, you know how to schedule classes that fit your lifestyle. You will know when you are operating at your absolute best. During this period, you get more into college life because you have hopefully made some friends and you are ready for

new experiences. But you also notice more things because now you are more aware of your surroundings. You learn more about the people you were infatuated with during your first year and you might see them differently during your second year. Again, resulting in growth. Unfortunately, I personally cannot speak on what your third year will be like because I have not taken that journey yet, but I can safely assume that it will be filled with new stories and even more lessons.

Hopefully, the same goes for you as well.

In the end however, going back to school can be whatever it means to you. After all, it is a process of saying good-bye to your friends, but you are also going to make new friends on campus. It is never easy going back to school, but the best part is that once you get used to it, it feels as though you are going to your home away from home. At the end of the day, it is your education and it is all on you whether you choose to learn from the various things you go through during your time there. After all, school can be a learning experience in more ways than one. So, most importantly, do your best and try everything because that is what college and life is about.

(Bed-Stuy resident Ellis Jordan Lewis is a journalist-in-training at Our Time Press.)

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OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

Remembering Aretha ■■

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tunned and somewhat paralyzed by the headline, “Aretha Franklin dead at 76,” it was so to the point that its directness seemed cold at first. Then I thought, what else could one say after hearing the news? I looked at the calendar.

It was August 16.

My mind seemed to be flooded with thoughts and memories colliding somewhere in my hypothalamus causing a slight rise in perspiration. You know - the kind you get when startled. Simultaneously, there was what felt like another collision in my visual cortex of belief and disbelief as those thoughts and memories raced around in my brain. After a few moments, the impact left my head swimming. Yet, my heart trumped my brain in reaction as a wave of sadness graced me from head to foot and splashed tears against my face.

As I sat motionless for a few minutes, which always seems like an eternity, I remembered what happened yesterday, August 15, 2018, the day before she passed.

I was driving to midtown Atlanta for my annual ophthalmic exam. No music on the radio, no CD in the player, no smart car pre-programmed selections. Just battling the congestion of early-afternoon traffic on the interstate as if in the City of Angels; and street traffic, as if in the Big Apple. Totally, and ironically, seemingly just out-of-theblue, I started singing Aretha Franklin’s

By Bonnyeclaire Smith Stewart

Courtesy: Atlantic Records “Respect.” A mood of melancholy surpassed the swift traffic on I-85 South as I bellowed my chorus rendition, substituting my college nickname. Instead of “R-E-SP-E-C-T, take care of TCB,” it was “take care of (add an extra beat) BC.” The year was 1967. I was a sophomore at Sarah Lawrence College. The song was released eight days after my twentieth birthday on the red and black Atlantic label. My dorm room was on the corner of the third floor of Westlands. Taking a study break with

the windows fully open, I spun the little black plastic on my record player. It was at that very moment that I purposed to memorize the song. I instantly became the lead AND the backup with my yellow number 2 pencil-microphone. The chorus inspired dancing and leaping across the room. The volume on “H” paired with me singing loudly made it somewhat difficult to hear a standard knock on the door. The knocker persisted. That was the day I became aware that I was directly over the Dean’s office.

The messenger was her assistant, sternly stating (without any hope of a smile) that the Dean requested I change songs, lower the volume and dance in my socks, because after an hour, it had become a “distraction.”

Of course, I obliged. By then, I was ready to stop and resume studies, anyway. I made an appointment to apologize to Dean Mattfeld (Jacqueline) in her office a few days later. I was relieved she could now laugh about it and we became personally acquainted.

Oh, we had heard the song before when Otis Redding released it in 1965 – and it was good. His story is that of a man pleading to his woman, giving her anything she wants, even if she does him wrong, as long as he gets her respect. But Oh My Goodness – Aretha transformed it, making it her own.

A few new lyrics changed the essence of the song’s story. I often wondered if it was her reply to Otis because her story was the opposite of his. She made a declaration of a confident and purposed woman who has everything her man wants, would never do her man wrong, and demands respect. The emphasis is compelling as she spells out the R E S P E C T chorus; emphasized by the backup refrain “sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me…” And what is absolutely glorious about her rendition is that she was a bold, young “Negro” woman in ➔➔ Continued on page 9

From Gwendolyn Quinn:

Public viewing, private services for Aretha Franklin: Atlanta’s “Prince of Preachers” to Eulogize The Queen in Detroit

Aretha Franklin performed “Until You Come Back to Me” during her concert held at DTE Energy Music Theater in Clarkston, Mich. on July 12, 2014. (Photo: Jose Juarez / The Detroit News)

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August 28-29, 9:00am-9:00pm: The Queen of Soul will lie in state at Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History. The museum is located at 315 E. Warren in Detroit.

August 30, noon-4:00pm: The Queen of Soul will lie in state at New Bethel Baptist Church, 8430 Linwood in Detroit. A musical celebration is being planned (location has not been determined).

August 31, 10:00am: Her funeral takes place at Greater Grace Temple, 23500 West 7 Mile in Detroit, and is limited to family and friends. Rev. Jasper Williams will deliver the eulogy.

Note: Franklin will be entombed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, along with her father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin; brother Cecil Franklin; sisters Carolyn Franklin and

The Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr. Erma Franklin; and nephew Thomas Garrett.

The Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr., pastor emeritus of Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta, will deliver the eulogy at a private funeral for

Aretha Franklin on Aug. 31 at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.

Williams, a powerful, charismatic preacher and award-winning singer, also delivered the eulogy for the Franklin’s father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin in 1984. He is known for weaving the teachings of the Bible with social issues. His eulogy of Franklin, titled “A Good Soldier,” documented the preacher’s contributions to the civil rights movement.

“Rev. Jasper Williams is absolutely the right man at the right time. It is marvelous that he is giving the eulogy at Aretha’s funeral,” said former Detroit City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, a longtime friend of Aretha Franklin. “Aretha trusted him to eulogize her father, so how fitting that he has been selected to eulogize her.” (Photo: jasperwilliams. com)

Long Live the Queen!

hat are the ingredients for greatness? If I gave you a large pot and a cooking spoon, what is it that you would stir into the pot to create greatness? Would you add more of some things and less of others?

Who among us has the recipe for greatness?

Aretha Louise Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018 at age 76. Her life was such an amazing and unique one that we might go generations without ever witnessing how a confluence of circumstances could work together again to create such a person. In fact, we might never experience her kind of greatness again. Who Aretha was, her value system, her belief system, they come from

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By Marlon Rice

another time, a time before when people were designed to be durable and committed to each other and to themselves. She was cut from a different cloth and it’s almost impossible to find that fabric anymore. Aretha should be a mandatory class, a fundamental lesson that we all learn, because the recipe for greatness is there in her story.

The first ingredient is to be planted in your purpose. Aretha was born into her purpose.

Her mother was an accomplished pianist and singer. Her father was a well-known Baptist minister. She was surrounded on all sides by music and public speaking in her early years.

Have you ever been to a traditional Baptist church? The hymns, the praise, the sermons;

you spend your Sundays in a Baptist church and the energy stays with you like the smell of fried fish in your clothes when you’re at Big Momma’s house and she’s cooking.

Aretha’s young life was filled with singing and praising, so much so that doing anything else would’ve gone against her normal.

The next ingredient is surrounding yourself with others living in greatness. Again, Aretha didn’t have to search for this because she was born into it. Her father, C.L Franklin, was well-known for his burn-down-the-house sermons. He was kind of like a celebrity preacher, and as such his home was often visited by others who were living in greatness. Mahalia Jackson used to watch Aretha

and her siblings. Sam Cooke, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Wilson were just some of the people who made their way to the Franklin house after church service. Can you imagine being 11 or 12 years old and standing in the family room listening to Dr. King and your father hold a conversation?

You can be anything you want if you believe you can be. Growing up around people that have climbed the mountain before makes it easier to know that you can too.

Another key ingredient in greatness is the ability to survive through adversity. Her parents divorced when she was 6. Her mother died when ➔➔ Continued on page 9

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OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

VOL. 22 NO. 34

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF SOUL!!

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wasn’t even born when the incomparable singer, songwriter and pianist, Aretha Louise Franklin, got her first record deal with J.V.B. Records for her gospel album, Songs Of Faith in 1955, at the tender age of 14 and then signed with Columbia Records for her first secular album, ‘Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo, in 1960 at only 19. But Ms. Aretha Franklin really blew up in 1966 after signing with Atlantic Records, cranking out hit songs such as “Respect,” “Chain Of Fools,” “Think,” “Natural Woman,” “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You,” and “I Say A Little Prayer.” Who knew that this musical child prodigy was gonna grow up to be the most successful, celebrated, soul singer ever, deservedly earning the crown, “The Queen Of Soul?!”

When I was a little girl, I became familiar with Aretha Franklin’s early music because my father John, aka, “Saleem,” had a band in the 1970’s called “Children Of The Sun,” that practiced her songs every night with their lead singer Sandy, in our tiny Newark NJ apartment, in preparation to perform them in dirty dives and bars on the “Chitlin Circuit.” The Queen Of Soul’s notable 1966 hit song, “Respect,” originally written by the late, great, Otis Redding, is my all-time fave, not only because she sings her face off, but also because Iater learned that song became the feminist Civil Rights anthem. Although women are still fighting for equality in this misogynistic culture, powerful songs like that continue to give us the courage to tell men to “#PutSomeRespecOnIt!!”

Just when I thought ReRe had reached her pinnacle with that stellar vocal range, she blew us all away at the 1998 Grammys, when on short notice, she stepped in for the famed opera singer, Luciano Pavarotti and sang the opera song, “Nesun Dorma” flawlessly!! The standing ovation was at a fever pitch!! As she belted out every brilliant note, my eyes stared affixed to my pregnant television from utter surprise and amazement!! The thing I loved most about Aretha Franklin was that she remained musically relevant over the years with songs like “A Rose Is Still A Rose,”

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By Lisa Durden

written and produced in 1998 by Lauryn Hill.

She also masterfully recorded music featured on soundtracks of the blockbuster films: St. Elmo’s Fire, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Blues Brothers, The Holiday, and Oscar winning, Moonlight.

Auntie Aretha, as we so affectionately called her, has sung for several presidents, including her most memorable, history-making performance, when she sang “My Country Tis Of Thee” LIVE, at President Barack Obama’s January 20, 2009 inauguration.

Auntie ReRe even weighed in on #Beyonce lip-syncing the National Anthem at Obama’s 2013 inauguration swearing-in ceremony, “… but, when I heard the news this evening that she was pre-recorded I really laughed.

I thought it was funny because the weather down there was about 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather,” Franklin told ABC News in an interview. “I thought it was really funny, but she did a beautiful job with the pre-record ... next time I’ll probably do the same.” Oooo, Miss Aretha threw #ShadeNoShade at #Bey. Although Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76, we must remember that she has enjoyed an over 60-year, successful career in the music industry.

Auntie Aretha has sold over 75 million records, won 18 Grammys, three American Music Awards and three NAACP Image Awards.

She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 29, 1979, was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame in 2015. I had no idea that her last performance was on November 7, 2017 at Elton John’s annual AIDs Foundation Gala.

She brought the house down as she played the piano and sang “I Say A Little Prayer For You.” Now for the lion’s share of this article, I have chronicled the outstanding accomplishments of the incomparable Aretha Franklin.

However, this would not be a Lisa Durden essay if I did not #SpillTheStrongLiptonTea about Auntie ReRe. So, before y’all kick my back in and start calling me negative, I’m touching on her very complicated life only

June 28, 1968 - New York, NY, U.S.: ARETHA FRANKLIN, 26, sings “I Say a Little Prayer” at Madison Square Garden. (Credit Image: © Walter Iooss Jr./ Globe Photos via ZUMA Wire)

January 20, 2009 - Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. - ARETHA FRANKLIN, 67, sings at the Inauguration of President Obama. (Credit Image: © Karen Ballard/ZUMA Wire) because before she passed, there was already a biopic in the works by producer Harvey Mason Jr., set to star Jennifer Hudson. We really don’t know a whole lot about Aretha Franklin’s personal life, because you know how oldschool southern Black folk rolled, “Do not air your dirty laundry.” Needless to say, she was freakishly private.

When I discovered that Aretha Franklin was underage when she had her first two children, I got a sick feeling in my stomach.

We all know that minors can’t consent to sex. I began to wonder had she been a victim of sexual assault?? Was she raped?! Was it statutory rape?? In the age of the #MeToo Movement, I would be remiss if I didn’t raise these concerns. So, I have some questions that I hope the biopic about her life will answer.

I’m curious to know who impregnated her at the age of 12 with her eldest son Clarence Franklin?? My first instinct tells me that the father may have been an older teenager or a grown-ass man; not likely another 12-year old.

She has said that a classmate named Donald Burk is the father, but I have searched high and low and cannot seem to find anything about his age. Aretha named her son after her dad, which to me is very strange. In my opinion, the rumor that her father is the father, isn’t a total impossibility. I’d also like to know who impregnated her at the age of 14 with her second son Edward Franklin?? A feeling in my gut is making me think that it might not have been a 14-year old boy. In the second child’s case, there is no record of Aretha making any mention of who his father is. There is also an unauthorized biography written about Aretha Franklin, by David Ritz titled, ‘Respect: The Secret Life of Aretha Franklin,’ that alleges her father, Rev. Clarence LaVaughn “C.L.” Franklin’s church services would turn into orgies. If the biopic corroborates that story of debauchery, I wonder was she exposed to sexual predators in “God’s House??” The rumor certainly begs the question, as a little girl, did Aretha Louise Franklin get respect??

[Ed. Note: Aretha disputes several of the claims made in Ritz’s second book, which she called, “trash.” She says she was very disappointed because they collaborated on her first biography, From These Roots and he subsequently worked for ans with her, writing liner notes for albums, among other things] Many have raised the question, was Aretha Franklin so private to protect her sons?? I say no. I think she was private to protect dirty, family secrets. It’s been widely documented that she would get really angry if interviewers asked

her anything about her father that appeared to be not in the most positive light. Most of all, I think Aretha was private to protect herself from the embarrassment of people discovering that she was “sexually violated.” As we all know, rape culture is alive and well in this country; the victim is always shamed and blamed. So, can you imagine how a young girl like little 12-year old ReRe would have been treated back in 1954 if she told that she was raped??

Well I do, She would have been called a “fasttail girl.” When I was 13 years old, I almost got raped by two teenaged boys named Bruce and Lance. When my friend Laura and I went to Lance’s house, his mother wasn’t home and Bruce was there too. Yes, when I got to the house, I learned that his parents weren’t there, but I didn’t feel any danger because we all knew each other from school. Yes, I had a crush on Bruce, but I didn’t want sex and I dayum sure didn’t want to be raped by those miscreant #MOTHERCLUCKERS. Needless to say, I never told my mother because I knew she would have blamed me for being there and would have surely called me a “fast-tail girl.”

I saw her call other girls that plenty of times when she learned they had been raped and sexually assaulted, so I knew I wouldn’t have been any different. My mother died in 2007 at the age of 67 never knowing what happened to me. That makes me sad.

I am really hoping that the Aretha Franklin biopic addresses these issues because there are empowerment lessons in her story that could inspire other “victims” to tell someone. Don’t keep the dirty secret of the rapist because that is exactly what they bank on.

Although Auntie Aretha may not have been courageous enough to bring her “violator” to justice all those years ago, I absolutely think that creative expression helped her carry that baggage with peace and forgiveness. I’d like to think those powerful songs she wrote and performed, were her therapy. All Hail The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin! She will be missed, but not forgotten!! ### Lisa Durden, is a TV personality and subject matter expert in the areas of pop culture, politics and social issues. She’s an “A-Plus Panel” Contributor on My9’s “Chasing News.” Ms. Durden is also an award-winning director/producer in film & TV. In 2005, she launched, Lisa Durden Unlimited Productions, a Multi-Media Company headquartered in Newark, NJ. She #KeepsTheCameraHot!! #ClapForThat!!

Twitter: @lisardurden

VOL. 22 NO. 34

OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

Remembering Aretha ➔➔ Continued from page 7 her mid-twenties, well-coiffed by a stylish Afro! As was popular then, the appropriate slang response would have been “Can you dig it?”

Then people sang it as if it were their own because the timing was socially and culturally on point. Filling the airwaves in the midst of three movements, it became the signature song of Aretha’s rhythm n’ blues career; it echoed not only the feminine battle cry for respect in equal rights; it screamed the desire of African-Americans, becoming the new anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, second to “We Shall Overcome.” Beyond the lyrics, demanding respect (not asking politely or begging/ pleading), the rhythm and the melody were unusually in sync and mutually supportive so that the synergy exploded in a way that few songs can. The reason is simple. The lyrics, rhythm and melody had the voice of Aretha that ignited the atmosphere… bouncing off of radio waves, leaping off of 45s and bursting out of the lungs of those who could carry a tune and those who could not. It didn’t matter because the song moved ya’. It registered personally in your deepest inners past the components of your soul because it was too big for the heart and mind. It moved further in - to your spirit and then leaped into your bones, moving ya on to the dance floor. All the while, singing those lyrics – loudly – with Aretha.

Many a weekend, I witnessed all of that at college mixers along the Eastern seaboard between New Jersey and Massachusetts. In particular was “Spook Weekend,” an annual occurrence initiated by Black students at Yale in 1964, bringing hundreds of Black students together, providing a platform to socialize and discuss topics reaching far beyond collegiate issues. The dance floor, with feet, claps and snaps in synchronized rhythm would move and chant with one voice. It was at one of these mixers that we commenced the weekend with Aretha’s “Respect.” For me, and for others, perhaps all of us, the song had multiple meaning and was therefore, a layered experience of a powerful moment in time.

During the summer of 1968, while on tour with a select choral group from the college, we wanted to go out immediately following a concert at the University of Cologne in Germany. We had two uniforms: a conservative and a more colorful short, aqua with short bell sleeves. Thirty-three chaperoned college girls, all in aqua dresses, entered a pub filled with young locals and American soldiers from a nearby Army base. The initial shock of this invading mirage soon turned into an evening of fun.

One of the girls had whispered a tale that was announced from the bandstand over the microphone that an “American singer” was in the group and could Bonnyeclaire Smith join the band for a selection. Surprised and embarrassed, I made my way up, scanning the crowd, searching for the chaperone’s approval. And you’ve no doubt guessed that the request was Aretha’s “Respect.” It was an honor and all that practice in the dorm

room paid off.

There was another occasion when that song bellowed from my lungs. I became quite angry with my widowed mother for not allowing me to accept offers from two American record labels in my freshman year.

I remember thinking: Surely, if my dad were alive he could see how much this meant to me and talk reason with her. But the buck stopped with her. When I heard that several Columbia med students had a college-mixer band and needed a female vocalist, I jumped at the chance to audition. Built into the repertoire were a few of Aretha’s songs, including… you guessed it, “Respect!” Ironically, before I left for college, my mother gave me “the talk.” Nooo, not that one, the other one about responsibility. It was short and to the point. “Your name is Bonnyeclaire Smith.

Carry it well because your name is who you are.” Then she stood up, and while walking

she was 10. Aretha had a child when she was 13, two kids by 15. How many times do we tell ourselves that we cannot do something because of the marks against us? Aretha could’ve easily settled on being just another teen mother in Detroit in the 50’s. She didn’t have to believe in herself the way that she did. Others didn’t have to believe in her the way that they did. Who

the Bop, the Slop, Hitchhike and a little Soul Train line. Maybe I can find a yellow number 2 pencil. I’m not a groupie or avid concert-goer. So, although I’ve never heard Aretha sing in person, I feel like I have. Last summer, I came close. Illness demanded she cancel a concert at Martha’s Vineyard.

I imagine social media is testing the capacity of the databases with posts. Radio waves may sound like an underwater choir from thousands of stations playing different recordings as the news trails the international clock as the earth turns this next twenty-four hours. There are soooo many songs to play, and so many things to say about this phenomenal legend. I imagine many will quote the eloquent words of President Obama from her 2015 performance of “A Natural Woman” at the Kennedy Center Honors: “Nobody embodies more fully the connection between the African-American spiritual, the blues, R & B, rock and roll — the way that hardship and sorrow were transformed into something full of beauty

2005, Clearwater, Florida, U.S.: ARETHA LOUISE FRANKLIN, 62, at Ruth Eckerd Hall finger to the heavens, performs 'Giving Him Something He Can Feel'. (Credit Image: ©Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Wire) out of the room, “Besides, with a name like yours, if I hear anything, it will most probably be true.” Stunned at the brevity and content, I sat a while. Well, lo and behold, would you ever guess what happened? February 1967 Glamour magazine published a feature article on the band, The Plague, in the College Corner section. It was a regional article to be published in New England. I wasn’t at all worried about my mother’s discovery until I received a phone call with her calling me by my full birth name. I stood in the dorm hall’s wooden phone booth and closed the folding doors. She exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing singing with a band, and with white boys? Do you know how dangerous this is? What were you thinking – rather, Why weren’t you thinking? What kind of name is that for a band? Bonnyeclaire Smith, you get yourself out of that band right now and focus on your studies. …” She went on and on for a small eternity during which I discovered I could thank family friend Jane

Long Live the Queen! ➔➔ Continued from page 7

Brown for calling her to make sure she read the issue. I had been curious as to how she found out. It never occurred to me that regional interest in the southeast would apply because my hometown was Birmingham, Alabama. There it was - my name, in print, in Glamour magazine, spelled correctly with a full PR picture of the band. H’mmmm. A fresh lesson on questions you should know to ask. Lesson over, apology extended, my decision to leave the band or stay remained.

As it turned out, while The Plaque had potential, the demands of medical school increased for Peter, Roger and Mike; Bob began his dissertation, and my vocal coach, who sounded like she knew my mother, encouraged me to stop.

I didn’t feel like chatting when I read the headline today about Aretha, though I did text my three children. That need not be a curiosity. In Kansas City on the Missouri side, where we lived before I was transferred to Atlanta, a sort of experiment was initiated. Blue Ridge Mall had a public

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watched them kids while Aretha was out touring with The Staple Singers? They could’ve said no.

The recipe for greatness is communal. No one becomes great alone. Betting on yourself is one part, and others betting on you is another.

Now we could talk music. We can discuss her biggest hits, songs like Respect and Chain of Fools. But those songs didn’t make her great. They were the result of her greatness.

What made her great was her willingness to

recording studio with thousands of selections. Sort of like karaoke in a sound booth mimicking a real studio where people could “have their moment.” One day, we did just that, and guess what song we unanimously chose? Yep, you guessed it, “R E S P E C T,” and yes, I did add my personal ending, “take care of BC.” But out of respect for Aretha and my children, I waited for the last chorus, at the end, during the fade.

In my prime and now, not so much, I never professed to equal Aretha (not even in my dreams). Singing her songs was a celebration of her and her talents: her message, her voice and her performance delivery. Today, and in the coming days, I’ll probably be humming and singing my other favorites: “Think,” “Dr. Feelgood” and “Natural Woman.” After I finish writing, I’ll probably look through my records, and once again, sing-a-long and, reaching back in time, drawing on memories of mixers and the dorm room, move to the steps of

and vitality and hope. American history wells up when Aretha sings.”

Ahhhhh, Aretha. Aretha Louise Franklin.

The “Queen of Soul.” Not just for Blacks.

Not just for Americans. She was, is and will forever be “THE” Queen of Soul, the world over. As far as I know, I never heard any rumors about her ego. I don’t recall headlines about disorderly conduct. She was a lady.

She was on a mission to share her talent.

Of my favorite four, I will say she made me “feel good,” like “a natural woman” and she sure made me ”think” and not only command “respect,” but give it! I’ll bet heaven is rocking just about now. Can you imagine the reception of other royals: The King of Soul, The King of Rhythm and Blues, The King of Pop, just to name a few? We salute you and we will miss you, and we are so grateful for the gift of your voice that you have left with us. Rest in peace, beloved, admired and respected Aretha. You get all the R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

serve as support for others. During the Civil Rights Movement, there were times when certain groups were short on money, and Aretha would help them out, sometime covering one week’s payroll. She was a strong supporter of the Native American community and also of the Special Olympics. In 1970, when activist Angela Davis was locked up, Aretha was willing to pay $250,000 to bail her out. Over and over again, Aretha was there for others, and without the cameras and reporters being there to show the world what she was doing. She understood her role and how she could help,

and she acted on it without regard. She once said, “Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a Diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people and your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.

If you want the recipe for greatness, you don’t need to look at Aretha the singer. You need to look at Aretha the woman. Thank you Aretha Franklin for a lifelong commitment to service, and for being proof positive that our young daughters and sons can do whatever they set their mind to. Long Live the Queen!

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OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

VOL. 22 NO. 34

Madiba Humanitarian Awards to Honor Waffle House Hero, Oct. 13, 2018

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he Bedford-Stuyvesant Museum of African Art (BSMAA) will honor James Shaw, Jr., who has been hailed as a hero for wrestling a rifle from a crazed gunman at a Waffle House that killed four people, during its Fourth Annual Madiba Humanitarian Award: Celebrating the Legacy of Nelson Mandela.

Shaw sustained a gunshot wound to the elbow and suffered burns to his hands after wrestling the rifle from the gunman.

According to law enforcement officials, Shaw’s heroism prevented more casualties.

Despite being showered with a media blitz and accolades from the public for his heroism, Shaw shifted his focus to helping the victims’ families. He created a GoFundMe Campaign hours after the shooting. His goal was to raise $15,000. With an outpouring of public support, Shaw managed to raise more than $400,000.

Sello Hatang, the Chief Executive of the

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South-based Nelson Mandela Foundation, has approved BSMAA’s annual event as the Madiba Humanitarian Award: Celebrating the Legacy of Nelson Mandela. The theme is “Education: A Forceful Weapon Empowering the World’s Children.” In addition to Shaw, Black Panther Movie Costume Designer Ruth Carter will be honored for her using her designs in more than 40 films to create unforgettable and positive portrayals of people of color. Performances from African dance companies and local performing artists will highlight the evening.

The Fourth Annual Award Event will be held on Saturday, October 13 at the Brooklyn Museum. Tickets are available at Eventbrite [https://www.eventbrite. com/e/4th-annual-madiba-humanitarian-award-tickets-49115072504]. For more information, call (646) 338-2748 or e-mail seeuraven2011@gmail.com.

June 16, 2018 - Santa Monica, California, U.S. - Hero James Shaw Jr. attends the 2018 MTV Movie and TV Awards at Barker Hangar. (Credit Image: © Alexander G. Seyum via ZUMA Wire)

Two High-Stakes Primary Battles

By Maitefa Angaza

wo primary races are attracting attention as September draws near. The contest between incumbent Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and City Councilman Jumaane Williams, has been heated, with one party calling foul. Although some are hard-put to say much about what she does, Hochul has powerful endorsements and more money.

The Brooklyn bout between incumbent State Senator Jesse Hamilton and upstart Zellnor Myrie could have a reckoning in store. Myrie is supported by elected officials who are angry over what they see as a betrayal by Hamilton. But unions, which usually back the incumbent, are behind Hamilton and his campaign chest is deeper.

The biggest topic of conversation about Hamilton is, of course, his membership in the Independent Democratic Caucus (IDC) for half of his second term. He was one of the state Democrats who infamously caucused to vote with Republicans on a number of issues. They say this allowed them to pass paid family leave, a higher minimum wage, universal Pre-K and a few other things. But because Democrats outnumbered Republicans in Albany for some of this time, critics counter the rogue Democrats could have accomplished those things and more – including some not popular with Republicans, such as supporting the DREAM Act, rent stabilization and funding for city schools.

IDC members enjoyed reward money for their loyalty to Republicans over the Democratic voters who put them in office. In Hamilton’s case, that’s $129,000 deposited to his account from the IDC campaign. This was ruled by a local judge a few months ago as violating campaign finance laws.

Hamilton’s also been criticized for

his cozy relationship with developers in a district hard-hit by gentrification.

Although he’s made some inroads on housing for people with disabilities, helped an elderly tenant remain in her apartment and opposed the conversion of the Bedford Armory, he tells his constituency, “I have taken money. That doesn’t change what I do in my office.”

A few political observers have predicted that Hamilton may indeed not change what he does in office. They say although the IDC cohorts were strong-armed by the governor (himself indirectly strong-armed by Cynthia Nixon) to step away from Republicans, the deal may not last and they may return to the caucus once back in office.

Myrie’s relatively fresh face and progressive politics render him an appealing option to constituents who see Hamilton as not representing their interests. Myrie claims not to focus too much on his opponent’s IDC history, but his campaign runs a video ad narrated by actress Edie Falco titled, “No IDC.” Talking more often about housing, Myrie says, “The biggest civil rights and racial issue in the district is housing.”

Vacancy decontrol and the overall demise of rent-stabilization are major factors in the breathtaking advance of gentrification in Brooklyn, he believes. Longtime tenants being displaced need a passionate advocate and he wants to be that guy. Tenants not currently being displaced are concerned and anxiety in the district is high. Other areas of Myrie’s platform include driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants and an end to cash bail.

Meanwhile in the other race, Kathy Hochul has been working hard, visiting the downstate area (New York City) 80 times during the course of her campaign, most often walking into rooms where people think, “Kathy who?” She touts her

supposed closeness to the governor as an indication of someone who can get things done.

The behind-the-scenes word in Buffalo, however, is that Cuomo allies tried to sweettalk her off the ticket, as the governor saw her unknown entity status, particularly in the city, as a liability facing the well-known Williams. That’s why early talk was of Cuomo courting Tish James to help secure the Black vote. Hochul says she went to a Black church as a child and enjoys warm support from the Black community upstate.

As for Hochul’s claims of working in a significant capacity with the governor, Williams scoffs.

“I’ll work with the governor when his actions back up his words,” said Williams at a Buffalo appearance not long ago. “But I’ve seen no leadership from the current governor; I’ve just seen follow-ship. What good is there in having a lieutenant governor who doesn’t push back?”

Hochul does not want to see undocumented immigrants with driver’s licenses as Williams does. She has a top rating from the National Rifle Association and has worked to streamline the process by which people can get permits to carry a pistol. The positions she’s taken that are more in line with her fellow Democrats include countering the Republican move to replace Medicare with vouchers and her support for clean energy.

This race could be more consequential than expected. Governor Cuomo has seen several close associates convicted on bid rigging and other pay-to-play charges this year. If matters hit too close to home and Cuomo loses his own seat, the lieutenant governor steps in for the reminder of the term, as David Patterson did years ago.

Williams took hits from his opponent for his past stances on marriage equality and abortion rights—he was once opposed

to both, citing religious beliefs. But he’s since said that same faith has led him to question his previous outlook and embrace acceptance and full rights for all.

Hochul rode both Williams and Cynthia Nixon hard to disclose their financial details. When Williams did, and was found to be in debt, Hochul all but declared him unfit for office, saying, “Our NY State budget is $168.3 billion per year. If he can’t manage his own finances, do you really want him managing yours?”

Williams owed $625,000 on a mortgage (he’s paid some down) and $10,000 in taxes on a vegetarian restaurant he opened briefly in Park Slope some years ago. His campaign manager William Gerlich said, “With a majority of New Yorkers struggling with financial problems, we need more elected officials who know what it’s like to deal with these issues, not less.”

Williams has been active on tenants’ rights, scoring new protections as chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings.

And, the victim of police harassment himself, he worked to successfully overcome Mayor Bloomberg’s veto of the Safety Act, making discriminatory profiling illegal.

If Williams wins, it will be interesting indeed, as he won’t be satisfied with the primarily ceremonial role that Hochul played. The governor may have to actually work along with a lieutenant governor, because Williams will make noise and he has the ear of a lot of fellow Democrats.

And if Hamilton is reelected in the state senate race, his constituents, and followers of local politics in general, will look to see if he honors the renewed commitment made to the voters. His brilliant rising-star and would-be public servant son, Jesse Hamilton III, must be watching closely.

VOL. 22 NO. 34

OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

11

William R. Howard Man of the People A Memorial

O

■■

n August 15, 2018, a memorial service was held for William R. Howard (July 23, 1943 – August 5, 2018) at Lawrence H. Woodward Funeral Home. Mr. Howard tended toward a serious countenance but had a heart of gold.

Howard was an accomplished businessman, political strategist and supporter of Brooklyn’s Caribbean-American culture. Friends of Broward Park President Robyn Berland described him as, “…the kindest, sweetest man. He worked for Shirley Chisholm and was the President of the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA).

We worked to develop the Shirley Chisholm Circle in Broward Park, which consists of a pedestrian walkway, monument and memorial tree.” To become the president of WIADCA speaks volumes about Howard’s love of Central Brooklyn and its people.

Born and raised in North Carolina, he was very much a man of the people who strived to do good and worthy work.

Howard’s school history included attendance at Marine Corps Base Quantico Complex in Virginia and the American Institute of Banking. He earned a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation, ABA, and Certification in Teller Management.

Howard did a one-year stint in the US Air Force in 1963. Apparently, his finance talents were notable to the extent that Wesley McDonald Holder, an accomplished political strategist, approached Howard to serve as Finance Chair for Shirley Chisholm’s run for US Congress. He was 23 years old.

Mrs. Chisholm’s political astuteness and character impacted Howard greatly. Chisholm opened many doors for Howard. He, in turn, dedicated himself to upholding her work and memory. He accomplished getting a post office in Crown Heights named in Chisholm’s honor, a commemorative US postage stamp

put into circulation, and established the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Center. A child care center is named in her honor given her career in early childhood education and the aforementioned Shirley Chisholm Circle in Broward Park. He was instrumental in Chisholm receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously from U.S. President Barack Obama. Most recently, U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke introduced legislation HR 4856 to bring a statue of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to the United States Capitol.

Howard’s business successes include being Vice President of the Metropolitan Savings Bank, serving as Vice President for Finance at Equitable Life Insurance Company, and as Finance Committee Chairman for Brooklyn Jewish Hospital (Interfaith Medical Center). From 1983 to 1995 Howard was a City University of New York board member.

His memorial service quickly became standing-room only. The opening prayer was made by Father Louis Pascal; Rev. Dr. Valerie Durrah said the prayer of comfort; Scripture readings were performed by Barbara Bullard; Sage Howard, accompanied by her younger family members, read the obituary. Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry gave the eulogy in which he said, “Some think to cry is an absence of faith…that is not so. When I die, I don’t want a dry eye. No tears, nothing in the will [for you]. I want a long sermon.”

Reflections were shared by family members Denae Howard, Yolanda Lezama-Clark, elected officials and Honorable Congressman Charles Rangel. The benediction was done

by Bishop Sylveta Hamilton-Gonzales, Father Louis Pascal and Dr. Valerie Durrah.

All three wore purple robes.

Many people shared their memories of Mr. Howard. Mary Alexander said, “I knew him as someone in the community and as the President of the Caribbean-American

Aretha: View From Detroit ➔➔ Continued from page 1

Her songs were empowering, especially for women. The messages in Respect, Think and Do Right Woman encouraged women to stand up for themselves, to demand more. She lived her music, presenting herself as a strong woman in control of her own life and business.

Aretha walked onto a stage with just that amazing voice; she didn’t need the pyrotechnics and bevy of dancers that are ubiquitous with today’s divas. It was music that aimed to move both the feet and the soul. And it will endure.

While she never recorded for the Motown label, she became emblematic of the Motor City sound, which captivated the music world beginning in the 1960s and launched scores of performers, most of them African-Americans, to stardom.

Aretha, though, was extra special. She stayed home, continuing to live in Detroit long after her peers departed for brighter, more glamorous places.

By Akosua K. Albritton

And she supported her hometown. Just this spring, The Detroit News honored her with a Michiganian of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award, not just for her music and ambassadorship on behalf of the city, but for her generosity toward her fellow Detroiters.

Over the years, she quietly supported the city’s churches and charities, sharing her fortune with the city that gave Franklin her start.

Much of her philanthropy centered on New Bethel, where she staged annual benefit concerts and hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. She also supported women’s shelters, food banks and children’s services, as well as a number of other charitable efforts. Franklin was honored by the Grammys in 2008 as its MusiCares Person of the Year.

Franklin was a woman of talent, faith and heart. She belonged to Detroit and the hearts of the city belonged to her.

Detroit will forever ring with the music of Aretha Franklin.

William (Bill) Howard, center, and his family with U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm.

Photo: Rodneyse Bichotte newsletter West Indian Day Parade.” Steven Swan, a retired banker with Metropolitan Savings Bank, commended him for being a banker and community leader.

Public Advocate Letitia James extolled his leadership among leaders. Howard organized the breakfast for the West IndianAmerican Day Carnival Parade on Labor Day. “He knew that each breakfast attendee would want to make remarks. It was Howard that put the order of oration and kept speeches to a few minutes.”

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer recognized Howard for his giving to others. Jay Hershenson, Vice Chancellor of the City University of New York, remarked how Howard championed Medgar Evers College and its financial needs. Cheryl D.B. Murphy, head of the West Indian Carnival Association in Jersey City, acknowledged Howard’s camaraderie in the effort to promote Caribbean culture and celebration. Ionie Pierce, the new President of WIADCA expressed, “The WIADCA family

is deeply saddened by his passing.”

Retired Congressman Charles Rangel surprised many in attendance by his presence.

Still exuding vitality, Rangel strung pearls of honor around William Howard’s lifework and accomplishments. NYS Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte bestowed the Howard family with a proclamation. It described his success in uniting the Caribbean community in Brooklyn, thanked his family for “lending him to us and commended him for his ability to making New York a more inclusive community.”

His wife, Cordelia Howard, penned “A Wife’s Prayer for Her Husband.” A portion of it follows: “I ask you to make the path for my husband straight. Tear down all old and new habits that are not you…Drench his heart, mind, spirit and overwhelm him with Your presence. Help his faith to increase. Create a desire for You, Lord Jesus, in his heart.”

Artist Lennox Commissiong Helps Youth Create Barack Obama Portraits

B

rooklyn and Harlem students from the Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) created unique pointillism mosaic portraits of President Barack Obama at an arts workshop taught by artist Lennox Commissiong at the Dwyer Cultural Center in Harlem. It was inspired by Commissiong’s dramatic portrait of Michelle Obama. His exhibition WIZARDHANDS is on view and has a closing reception on Sunday, August 26 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.

RSVP for the reception at thedwyercc@gmail. com. FREE. PHOTO CREDIT: Seitu Oronde

(Standing L-R) Ademola Olugebefola, Dwyer; Lennox Commissiong, Joshua Jones, 14; Alaine Johnson, HEAF; Minerva Diaz, Dwyer (Sitting L-R) Nashawn Dobbins, 12; Nicholas Riddick, 10; Kelsie Ann Taylor,11 and Zilaah Ricks,12.

12

OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

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OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

NEW BUSINESS FORMATIONS

Marks Ave., Apt. 2D, Brooklyn, NY 11216.

Purpose: To engage in any and all business activities.

process to THE LLC. 3919 National Drive, Burtonsville, MD 20866 Purpose: For any lawful activity.

Ashley Jo Photo LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/07/2018. 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 181 MacDougal Street, Apt. 4R Brooklyn, NY 11233. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Restless Works, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/22/2018. 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: Restless Works, LLC, 86 Wyckoff Ave., PO Box 370098, Brooklyn, NY 11237. Purpose: To engage in any and all business activities.

Notice of Qualification of HCP Brooklyn NY OpCo, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/05/18.

Office location: Kings County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/28/18. Princ. office of LLC: c/o HCP, Inc., 1920 Main St., Ste. 1200, Irvine, CA 92614. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: To acquire, own, hold, manage, operate, improve and develop real property.

DOUBLEKILL MEDIA LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/02/18.

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 Peggy Weicher, 235 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

CONCRETE DREAMS PRODUCTIONS, L.L.C. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on April 24, 2018. 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 Suzette Burton, 762 Halsey Street, Apt. 2, Brooklyn, NY 11233 Purpose: To engage in any and all business activities.

Cultivate Fit & Well LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/19/2018. 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: Cultivate Fit & Well, LLC, 654 St.

LEGAL NOTICES SUMMONS, NOTICE AND BRIEF STATEMENT OF NATURE OF ACTION CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTION SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF KINGS Index No. 523491/2017 STATE OF NEW YORK MORTGAGE AGENCY, Plaintiff, -againstJOHN WINBERRY, JR, Defendants. TO THE DEFENDANT(S): JOHN WINBERRY, JR YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to serve upon plaintiff’s attorneys an answer to the complaint in this action within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if the Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. 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 answer, judgment will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.

Trial is desired in the County of KINGS. The basis of venue designated above is that the real property, which is the subject matter of this action, is located in the County of KINGS, New York. NOTICE: YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING A PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE New York State Law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. Summons and Complaint You are in danger of losing your home. If you fail to respond to the summons and complaint in this foreclosure action, you may lose your home. Please read the summons and complaint carefully. You should immediately contact an attorney or your local legal aid office to obtain advice on how to protect yourself. Sources of Information and Assistance The State encourages you to become informed about your options in

Notice of Qualification of FACILITY LOGIX, LLC. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/09/18.

Office location: Kings County. Princ. office of LLC: 3919 National Drive, STE 310 Burtonsville, MD 20866. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail (518) 786-9069 57030

foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process.

To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or visit the Department’s website at www.dfs.ny.gov. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. You have the right to stay in your home during the foreclosure process.

You are not required to leave your home unless and until your property is sold at auction pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale. Regardless of whether you choose to remain in your home, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY and pay property taxes in accordance with state and local law. Foreclosure rescue scams Be careful of people who approach you with offers to save your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. Noach Dear Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, signed on July 25, 2018 in Brooklyn, New York and to be duly entered in the KINGS County Clerk’s Office, in Brooklyn, New York. The Nature of this action pertains to a note and mortgage held by Plaintiff on real property owned by the above named defendants as specified in the complaint filed in this action. The above named defendants have failed to comply with the terms and provisions of the said mortgage and said instruments secured by said mortgage, by failing and omitting to pay the balance due and owing and the Plaintiff has commenced a foreclosure action. Plaintiff is seeking a judgment foreclosing its mortgage against the real property and premises which situates in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York and is commonly known as 411 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, New York 11217 and all other relief as to the Court may seem just and equitable. DATED: August 22, 2018 SCHILLER, KNAPP, LEFKOWITZ & HERTZEL, LLP BY: WILLIAM B. SCHILLER, ESQ. Attorneys for Plaintiff 950 New Loudon Road Latham, New York 12110 Telephone:

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF KINGS DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST, COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2007-HE1, M O RT G AG E PA S S - T H RO U G H CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-HE1, Plaintiff(s), against Index No.: 12779/2012 ESAU GIBSON, KELVIN RICHARDSON, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered on 8/10/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction in Room 224 of the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, on 9/27/2018 at 2:30 pm, premises known as 805 East 51st Street, Brooklyn, NY 11203, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York and designated on the tax maps of the Kings County Treasurer as Block 7927 and Lot 33. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $590,213.45 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 12779/2012. Gregory Cerchione, Esq., Referee. SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 Dated: 8/13/2018 File Number: 25320 JJL NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. JEAN ROBERT SELAMY, JEAN GUY SELAMY, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly filed on April 06, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, Room 224, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on September 20, 2018 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1315 Troy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, Block 4978 and Lot 64. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 13825/09. Deborah M. Marshall, Esq., Referee Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel, P.C., 100 Garden City Plaza, Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF KINGS U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, Against Index No.: 6482/08 RICHARD BUCKHEIT, ESQ. AS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF KINGS COUNTY ON BEHALF OF THE

ESTATE OF GREGORY BISCOMBE; et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered on 1/17/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, in Room 224 of the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, on 9/20/2018 at 2:30 pm premises known as 40 Weirfield Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221 and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in thein the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, and designated on the tax maps of the Kings County Treasurer as Block 3401 and Lot 24 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $723,250.09 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 6482/08.

Angelique Moreno, Esq., Referee. STIENE & ASSOCIATES, P.C. (Attorneys for Plaintiff), 167 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768 Dated: 7/31/2018 File Number: 201202875 TKS NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., CSMC Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-6, Plaintiff AGAINST Satya Kaur; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated April 8, 2016 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 224 of Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn NY 11201 on September 13, 2018 at 2:30PM, premises known as 52 Ashford Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207. 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 3923 Lot 39. Approximate amount of judgment $919,053.58 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 3530/14. Richard A. Klass, Esq., Referee Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 759-1835 Dated: July 16, 2018 56005 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT KINGS COUNTY JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff against MAXIME FLEURIMONT, et al Defendants Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614 Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale Entered August 17, 2017 I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Room ➔➔ Continued on page 14

14

LEGAL NOTICES ➔➔ Continued from page 13 224, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on September 20, 2018 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 1260 East 84th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11236. Block 8062 Lot 67. 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. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $507,700.22 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 501689/2014. Jeffrey L. Saltiel, Esq., Referee YCHC180 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS, EMIGRANT BANK AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO EMIGRANT SAVINGS BANKBROOKLYN/QUEENS AS ASSIGNEE OF EMIGRANT MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., Plaintiff, vs. GUSTAVO ALVAREZ, DORIS ALVAREZ, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly filed on September 25, 2017, and an Order dated July 18, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, Room 224, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on September 20, 2018 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 28 Schenck Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, Block 3919 and Lot 23. Approximate amount of judgment is $389,969.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 12679/2014. Jageshwar Sharma, Esq., Referee Borchert & LaSpina, P.C., 19-02 Whitestone Expressway, Suite 302, Whitestone, New York 11357, Attorneys for Plaintiff NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF KINGS U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, Against Index No.: 6482/08 RICHARD BUCKHEIT, ESQ. AS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF KINGS COUNTY ON BEHALF OF THE ESTATE OF GREGORY BISCOMBE; et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered on 1/17/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, in Room 224 of the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, on 9/20/2018 at 2:30 pm premises known as 40 Weirfield Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207 and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in thein the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, and designated on the tax maps of the Kings County Treasurer as Block 3401 and Lot 24 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $723,250.09 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 6482/08.

Angelique Moreno, Esq., Referee. STIENE & ASSOCIATES, P.C. (Attorneys for Plaintiff), 167 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768 Dated: 7/31/2018 File Number: 201202875 TKS SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF KINGS PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO NATIONAL CITY REAL ESTATE SERVICES, LLC, SUCCESSOR

BY MERGER TO NATIONAL CITY MORTGAGE, INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS NATIONAL CITY MORTGAGE CO. DOING BUSINESS AS COMMONWEALTH UNITED

OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018 MORTGAGE COMPANY, Plaintiff against MALKY KATZ, KATZ RAIZY KATZ, YOSEF KATZ, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on April 23, 2018. 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 6th day of September, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. premises described as follows: All that certain lot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York.

Said premises known as 150 South 8th Street a/k/a 150 S. 8th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11211.

(Block: 2138, Lot: 16). Approximate amount of lien $ 804,897.64 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 501441-13. Honorable M. Randolph Jackson, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 145 Huguenot Street – Suite 210, New Rochelle, New York 10801. (914) 636-8900 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF KINGS, AJ PARTNERS, LLC, PLAINTIFF, against, SUZIE BLACKSTOCK, et al., DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated December 11, 2017 and entered December 29, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at Room 224 of the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, on the 6th day of September, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. those certain premises being in the County of Kings and State of New York known as 1246 New York Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11203 and more particularly described as follows: Block 4949, Lot 23. Amount of judgment $196,071.63, plus interest, costs and attorneys fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of judgment, terms of sale and prior first mortgage. Index No. 602349/2016. Joel Elliot Abramson, Esq., Referee. Lawrence & Walsh, P.C., Attorneys for Plaintiff, 215 Hilton Avenue, Post Office Box 1200, Hempstead, New York 11551.

2015-1, Plaintiff, Against Index No.: 509325/14 CARLOS LIRIANO, JASSON LIRIANO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered in the Kings County Clerk’s Office on 2/22/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at Room 224 of Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on 9/13/2018 at 2:30 pm, premises known as 905 Belmont Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11208, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, and designated on the tax maps of the Kings County Treasurer as Block 4228 and Lot 40. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $506,616.14 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 509325/14. Dominic J. Famulari, Esq., Referee. STIENE & ASSOCIATES, P.C. (Attorneys for Plaintiff), 167 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768 Dated: 7/26/2018 File Number: 201401018 TKS

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF KINGS SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS INDEX NO. 507767/2016 ___U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, Plaintiff designates KINGS as the place of trial situs of the real property Mortgaged Premises: 420 EAST 57TH STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11203 Block: 4767 Lot: 29 vs. SAMANTHA STEWART, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF HURIC STEWART; any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, COURT: KINGS COUNTY. WEST COAST trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees SERVICING, INC., Pltf. vs. MILTON K. of such deceased, any and all persons derivWILSON, et al, Defts. Index #507742/2014. ing interest in or lien upon, or title to said Pursuant to order confirming a referee report real property by, through or under them, or and judgment of foreclosure and sale dated either of them, and their respective wives, July 25, 2018, I will sell at public auction widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, in Room 224 of the Kings County Supreme next of kin, descendants, executors, adminCourt, 360 Adams St., Brooklyn, NY on istrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustThursday, Sept. 13, 2018 at 2:30 p.m., ees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of prem. k/a 589 East 89th St., Brooklyn, NY whom and whose names, except as stated, a/k/a Block 7968, Lot 111. Said property are unknown to plaintiff; DONNA LINTON located at a point on the Northeasterly side A/K/A DONNA STEWART, AS HEIR of East 89th St. 31 ft. Northwesterly from AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE the corner formed by the intersection of OF HURIC STEWART; PORTFOLIO the Northwesterly side of Farragut Rd. and RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, LLC; NEW the Northeasterly side of East 89 Street; YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL Running thence Northwesterly along the CONTROL BOARD; MORTGAGE Northeasterly side of East 89th St. 29 feet; E L E C T RO N I C R E G I S T R AT I O N Thence Northeasterly parallel with Farragut SYSTEMS, INC.; BUDGET MORTGAGE Road, 100 feet; Thence Northwesterly BANKERS LTD; NANCY SUNSHINE, IN parallel with Remsen Avenue, 47.42 feet; HER CAPACITY AS KINGS COUNTY Thence Northeasterly parallel with Farragut CLERK; BRITTNEY STEWART; Rd. 4 feet; Thence Southeasterly parallel EBONY PITT; PEOPLE OF THE with Remsen Avenue, 75.42 feet; Thence STATE OF NEW YORK; NEW YORK Southwesterly and part of the distance STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION through a party wall, 104 ft. to the point or AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF place of beginning. Approx. amt. of judg- AMERICA, “JOHN DOE #4” through ment is $865,317.05 plus costs and interest. “JOHN DOE #12, “the last twelve names Sold subject to terms and conditions of being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff filed judgment and terms of sale. SHERYL the persons or parties intended being the MENKES Referee. THE MARGOLIN & tenants occupants persons or corporations WEINREB LAW GROUP LLP, Attys. for if any having or claiming an interest in or Pltf., 165 Eileen Way, Ste. 101, Syosset, NY. lien upon the premises described in the #95430 complaint, Defendants.__ To the abovenamed Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT SUMMONED to answer the complaint - COUNTY OF KINGS U.S. BANK in this action and to serve a copy of your NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS answer, or, if the complaint is not served INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY with this summons, to serve a notice of apAS TRUSTEE OF OWS REMIC TRUST pearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within

VOL. 22 NO. 34 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until (60) days after service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $383,000.00 and interest, recorded on August 10, 2007, at Instrument number 2007000415273, of the Public Records of KINGS County, New York, covering premises known as 420 EAST 57TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11203.The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

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

THIS SPACE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME, If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: January 18, 2018 RAS BORISKIN, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff BY Keesha C. Robinson-Roberts, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 106 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST NATACHA LARECE, JEAN LARECE, JEANNETTE LARECE, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated November 29, 2017 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Room 224 of Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201, on September 06, 2018 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2406 CORTELYOU ROAD, BROOKLYN, NY 11226. 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 New York, BLOCK 5168, LOT 57. Approximate amount of judgment $329,711.68 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment for Index# 511083/2014. Angelyn Johnson, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 55328 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT KINGS COUNTY PROF-2013 LEGAL TITLE TRUST II BY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE, Plaintiff against RONEN LEVY, et al Defendants Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614 Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s). Pursuant ➔➔ Continued on page 15

VOL. 22 NO. 34

15

OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

Friday, September 7th

Community Calendar Friday, August 24th

CHARLIE PARKER JAZZ FESTIVAL

featuring Charles Tolliver’s 50th Anniversary of “Paper Man.” Marcus Garvey Park, 124th St and Fifth Ave., Manh, 7-9PM, FREE. The great trumpeter’s debut album was praised for its explorative, avant-garde approach. Tonight, he’ll play with Gary Bartz, Jack DeJohnette and Buster Williams, with vocalist Brianna Thomas and a surprise guest.

Eventbrite or just arrive.

MOODS AND EXPRESSIONS: A CARIBBEAN SENSATION at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Ave., Queens, 10AM6PM, Mon-Sat., FREE.

Saturday, August 25th BK LOVES MJ HOSTED

BY SPIKE LEE, Do the Right Thing Way, Stuyvesant Ave. bet. Quincy & Lexington, 12-7PM, FREE. The 8th Annual Block Party celebrates Michael Jackson’s birthday (which is on 8/29) with a full day of his music, both the faves and the rare gems, expertly mixed by DJ Spinna. Dance (and dance some more), enjoy the giveaways and join the community sharing in sweet memories and poignant moments.

Sunday, August 26th MICHELLE OBAMA: PORTRAIT OF OUR FIRST LADY at Dwyer Cultural Center, 285 Saint Nicholas Ave. bet.

2-5PM, FREE. This is the last day to see an amazing piece of art by Lennox Commissiong, a pointillism portrait of Michelle Obama. This artist uses tiny paper squares that blend in the viewer’s eye to produce a brilliant whole.

Each piece takes about 300 hours to do. RSVP at

personal and artistic journey through interviews with his sisters, art dealers, friends, lovers and fellow artists. His art is at the heart of the film, which is followed by a talkback with the filmmakers.

Saturday, September 1st JUNIOR CARNIVAL PARADE

AFROPUNK SOLUTION SESSIONS at Roulette, 509 Atlantic Ave., 6:30-10PM, $10. Radical women leading innovative movements share their solutions to issues impacting people of color. Hosted by Bridget Todd and featuring: Ntozake Shange, Tarana Burke, Linda Sarsour, Joy Buolamwini, Shamell Bell, Yasmin Reis and Brittany Young. Tickets at Eventbrite.

9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

Paintings, mixed-media and sculpture by Jean D. Volcy, Ava Tomlinson, Nigel Pierre, Stanwyck Cromwell, Patricia Brintle, David Wilson, Lennox Warner and Carlton Murrell (curator), Celebrating Caribbean artists living in Metro New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. 718-6587400; Thru September 30th.

begins at Kingston Ave. & St. John’s Pl., continues along Franklin Ave. to President St. and ends at the Brooklyn Museum grounds.

9AM-4PM, FREE on parade route, $5 at the museum. The parade culminates with music and dance performances and a competition to name Junior King and Queen and the prize-winning bands of the parade. Colorful costumes, cutie-pies and high spirits abound.

Sunday, September 2nd FREE BACK-TOSCHOOL HAIRCUTS FOR BOYS

Thursday, August 30th RIDE THE WAVE at 61 Local, 61 Bergen St., 6:30-9PM, $18.

Join the Brooklyn Young Democrats at 61 Local in building coalitions and hearing from candidates it endorses for statewide and local office, including Cynthia Nixon for Governor, Jumaane Williams for Lieutenant Governor and Zellnor Myrie for State Senate (District 20). Entry fees help provide candidates with a final push before Election Day. https:// secure.actblue.com/donate/ ridethewave2018

at King Kutz, 55 Ralph Ave., 10AM-#PM. Using proceeds from speaking engagements and his book, “Suited for Success, “ Ty Brown of Brooklyn United Music and Arts Program partners with King Kutz to sponsor 100 free haircuts for boys in Grades Pre-K to Grade 8.

MUST REGISTER at https:// tinyurl.com/y9rc6qde.

BASQUIAT: RAGS TO RICHES,

Monday, September 3rd

Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy., 7PM, $16 (includes museum adm). U.S. premiere of this American Master/ BBC Studios documemtary chronicling the life and legacy of Brooklyn’s own Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The film relates Basquiat’s

LEGAL NOTICES ➔➔ Continued from page 14 to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale Entered June 20, 2018 I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Room 224, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on September 6, 2018 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 605 East New York Avenue Unit 605-4R, Brooklyn,

million people to celebrate Caribbean heritage, revel in the music, delight in the brilliantly colored costumes and enjoy the plentiful, delicious Caribbean offerings from food vendors. Bands and marchers hail from Trinidad, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Croix, Barbados, Haiti, Belize, Nevis, etc.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

at Brooklyn Borough Hall Rotunda, 209 Joralemon St., 9AM, FREE. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams hosts this third annual ceremony honoring Brooklynites lost that tragic day 16 years ago and to advocate for survivors receiving the necessary resources to combat ongoing physical and emotional repercussions of the attacks and recovery efforts. This year a new banner featuring the names of all 206 Brooklyn residents who lost their lives.

The banner will be displayed at the top of the Borough Hall steps through September 11th.

Wednesday, September 5th NOVA FRONTIER FILM BK DISTRIBUTION OF FREE TIX FOR THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS, Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza Distribution (2 per person) @Noon till they last, but line up early (like 10AM). Ticket vouchers are for the Delacorte Theater, Central Park performance that eve. & must be exchanged for tickets at the box office from 6-7:30pm.

Featuring more than 40 powerhouse voices including legends the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Legendary Soul Stirrers, this exuberant, Obie-winning retelling of Sophocles’ classic Oedipus at Colonus has a rousing gospel and blues score.

FESTIVAL

at The Billie Holiday Theater, 1368 Fulton St., Thru 9/9. Various times, Free on Fri, $10 on Sat & Sun. Enjoy a lineup of compelling films, panels and virtual reality media about and from the African Diaspora, the Middle East and Latin America, presented by RestorationART and the Nova Frontier Film Festival. This year’s festival focuses on themes of immigration, identity and interculturalism with a program of over 22 films (shorts, feature and documentary), a virtual reality experience and panels. For info call 866-811-4111 or visit www. restorationart.org.

Follow us on

WEST INDIANAMERICAN DAY PARADE, Eastern Parkway from Schenectady to Grand Army Plaza, 11AM-6PM, FREE. The massive annual moving carnival draws close to 2

NY 11203. Block 1333 Lot 1055. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of real property situated and being in the County of Kings, Borough of Brooklyn, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $497,143.77 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 36193/2007. Steven Z. Naiman, Esq., Referee AYSNC108 SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF KINGS VALLEY NATIONAL BANK,

and at www.ourtimepress.com

Plaintiff -against- IZIBO IZYAGUYEV, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated May 7, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Courthouse 360 Adams Street, Room 224, Brooklyn, NY on September 6, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, known as Unit No. 101 in the building known as “Tara Condominium” together with an

undivided 10.2752% interest as to Unit 101 in the common elements. Block: 5853 Lot: 1001. Said premises known as 231 68TH STREET, UNIT 101, BROOKLYN, NY Approximate amount of lien $229,373.43 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 519769/2016.

SHMUEL TAUB, ESQ., Referee KRISS & FEUERSTEIN LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 360 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10017

16

OUR TIME PRESS August 23 – 29, 2018

VOL. 22 NO. 34

Donate to Tech4Ghana

With Your Help Hundreds of Children in rural Ghana will go “Back to School” and Stay in School

H

elp rural Ghanaian children have access to learning technology and literacy. Some books were donated to Tech4Ghana by The Magnolia Tree Earth Center of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Spring 2010.

It is estimated that 90% of Ghanaian elementary and middle school students, especially from rural schools, have never had the opportunity to experience a computer, hands-on.

This is a crisis which has put these rural children at such a perilous disadvantage to their urban and privileged peers. These children are losing out on their potential and opportunities. The educational divide increases all the time and many are left behind, due solely to where they’re born and to the poverty that is endemic in the area.

Tech4Ghana USA is a Brooklyn, New York-based nonprofit organization registered in New York State and is a 501(c)3 public charity, as designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury/IRS. It was established in the US to raise money to support the work of Tech4Ghana in Wli (pron. Will-lee), which is a registered nonprofit in Ghana. Donations are tax-charitable deductions to the fullest extent of the law.

To date, Tech4Ghana USA has not received any funding from foundations, corporations or governments. We exist on the beneficence of individual charitable donors.

It’s an all-volunteer organization. Apart from bank account and wire fees, all donations are either transferred to Tech4Ghana or used to purchase items here and pay shipping fees and customs taxes.

We need $75,000 to: replace the aging and mismatched laptops in our Computer Lab with 35 new machines, acquire a set of instructional hardware (LCD projector, digital camera), five Internet-enabled laptops, a printer and literacy education materials for our soon-to-open Library/Media Center.

In September 2009, a Computer Center opened. We added a small library in 2011.

Books were donated, mostly lightly used children’s books and shipped in barrels from Brooklyn.

We still have only about a dozen working but aging and mismatched laptops. The students share. Our goal is to have enough laptops so that every child can touch and learn on one, a class set, as per One Laptop Per Child’s admirable mission, and as per international technology education standards.

This October, we will open our new Library/Media Center in a room of its own.

There will be English literacy instructional resources for teachers and access to printrich materials for their students.

Reading benches in waiting Library/Media Center and Environmental Science Center (under construction) Please visit the Tech4Ghana website to

view documentation of ten years of development in Wli 2009 to the present and for donation information: [www.tech4ghana. org]

Kofi Annan: A Model Statesman for the World

➔➔ Continued from page 2

the UN–Arab League Joint Special Envoy for Syria, mandated to seek a resolution to the conflict there.

Mr. Annan is the founding Chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), which works for a food-secure and prosperous Africa by promoting rapid, sustainable agricultural growth based on small-holder farmers. AGRA’s programs invest in soil regeneration and health, improved seeds, access to markets and building capacity and investment throughout the agricultural value chain.

He chairs the African Progress Panel, which advocates at the “highest level” for equitable and sustainable development in Africa.

The panel includes distinguished individuals from the public and private sector and publishes an annual Africa Progress Report.

He is an active member of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights, and in 2013 was appointed its chair.

Kofi Annan is currently Chancellor of the University of Ghana and has held a number of positions at universities around the world.

He is a board member, patron or honorary member of a number of organizations

including the United Nations Foundation. A complete list can be found here.

Kofi Annan’s widely acclaimed memoir, “Interventions: A Life in War and Peace,” was published in 2012.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was UN Secretary-General from January 1997 to December 2006. One of his main priorities during this period was a comprehensive program of reform that sought to revitalize the United Nations and make the international system more effective. He was a constant advocate for human rights, the rule of law, the Millennium Development Goals and Africa, and sought to bring the organization closer to the global public by forging ties with civil society, the private sector and other partners.

At Mr. Annan’s initiative, UN peacekeeping was strengthened in ways that enabled the United Nations to cope with a rapid rise in the number of operations and personnel.

It was also at Mr. Annan’s urging that, in 2005, Member States established two new intergovernmental bodies: The Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council.

Mr. Annan, likewise, played a central role in the creation of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, the adoption of the

UN’s first-ever counter-terrorism strategy, the acceptance by Member States of the “responsibility to protect” people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. His “Global Compact” initiative, launched in 1999, has become the world’s largest effort to promote corporate social responsibility.

Mr. Annan undertook wide-ranging diplomatic initiatives. In 1998, he helped to ease the transition to civilian rule in Nigeria. In the same year, he visited Iraq to resolve an impasse between Iraq and the Security Council over compliance with resolutions on weapons inspections and other matters; this effort helped to avoid an outbreak of hostilities which was imminent at that time.

In 1999, he was deeply involved in the diplomatic process that led to Timor-Leste’s independence from Indonesia. He was responsible for certifying Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, and in 2006 his efforts contributed to securing a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

Also in 2006, he mediated a settlement of the dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria over the Bakassi peninsula.

Mr. Annan’s efforts to strengthen the organization’s management, coherence and

accountability involved major investments in training and technology, the introduction of a new whistle-blower policy and financial disclosure requirements, and steps to improve coordination at country level.

Early career Kofi Annan joined the UN system in 1962 as an administrative and budget officer with the World Health Organization in Geneva. He later served with the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, the UN Emergency Force (UNEF II) in Ismailia, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, and in various senior posts in New York dealing with human resources, budget, finance and staff security. Immediately before becoming Secretary-General, he was UndersecretaryGeneral for Peacekeeping. Kofi Annan facilitated the repatriation from Iraq of more than 900 international staff and other non-Iraqi nationals (1990), and also served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the former Yugoslavia and Special Envoy to NATO (1995-1996).

Personal Kofi Annan was born in Kumasi, Ghana on April 8, 1938. He is married to Nane, and between them they have three children.