| From the Villa ge of Brook ly n |
OUR TIME PRESS THE L OCAL PAPER WITH THE G LOBAL VIEW
| VOL. 22 NO. 36
Randy Weston,
View From Here ■■
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Septmber 6 – 12, 2018 |
Since 1996
David Mark Greaves
Randy Weston
efore we get to the smallest of men, we want to talk about the biggest, master musician and Africanist, Randy Weston, who passed on September 1st at the age of 92. World-renowned for his musicianship, Randy was an educator and thought leader. Whenever he spoke, he made the connections between African rhythms, jazz and the expression of the essence of African people, wherever they are in the world. A larger-than-life figure, a generous spirit, he is remembered as a friend on pages 10-11. Funeral arrangements on page 11.
A Small Spirit Getting More Dangerous Smaller and smaller this president becomes, whether he opens his mouth or keeps it shut. Asked multiple times to comment on the death of Sen. John McCain, he sat with his arms tightly crossed, with a facial expression and body posture that revealed an emotionally disturbed individual for all to see. He is a strange and very frightened man. Speaking to his white evangelical idol-worshippers, he warns that if the Republicans lose in November, the winning Democrats will turn to violence. When he says that, he’s really the one calling for violence. He wants what he once called
“my second amendment people” to follow their paranoia. And when Trump’s “base” hears his endorsee for Florida governor Ron DeSantis saying, “Let’s not monkey this up,” speaking of the governorship and the African American Democratic Primary winner Andrew Gillum, they know they are with kindred spirits. So it’s okay if their blood runs hot.
Master Musician and Brooklyn Icon, Passes
If you’re not frightened, you’re not paying attention It is unfortunate that the baby boomers will not outlive the damage Trump is doing to the federal judiciary with his appointments of lifetime judges. Also, we will not outlive the damage to the environment or acceleration of climate change or the affect on the young lives ruined and twisted by separations from their parents at the U.S.Mexico border. All of this done on our watch and it’s sad. What we thought was an ever-brightening future of freedom has been changed into something dark and foreboding. This man has lashed out at the Attorney General for indicting a Republican congressman, therefore hurting Republican chances in the midterm elections. Excerpts from the forthcoming book by two-time Pulitzer winner Bob Woodward paints a portrait of a mean-spirited man-child holding the Office of President of the United States. And now comes an anonymous New York Times op-ed by a senior White House
Photo: Chester Higgins, Jr.
Randy Weston April 6, 1926- September 1, 2018 official that tells of presidential aides working to save the president from himself and the country from the president. This is past “not normal.” This is a wide-awake
nightmare that will shake the nation to the core. This is why ALL VOTES MATTER. Use it Primary Day, September 13 and in the general election November 6.
Waving Good-By to Summer
“The people closest to the pain should be closest to the power.” Ayanna Pressley
In Mass., Ayanna Pressley Ousts 20-Year Incumbent in Democratic Congressional Primary Page 2
The Co-naming Ceremony for Frank and Doris Bell Way Page 8
Democratic Primary Thursday, September 13. ➔➔Page 2
Attorney General Candidates James & Eve ➔➔Page 6
Josanah Cruel, in 2016 at age 7, returns for her "View," at the Hudson River in Troy, NY. Page 19
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VOL. 22 NO. 36
Go to the polls, September 13 Statements from Candidates in Key Local Races
he Democratic primary elections are a week from today and the importance of voter participation cannot be overstated. The New York City Campaign Finance Board hosts an NYC Votes section on its website that “engages and educates voters through community outreach, its Voter Guide and Debate Program, empowering New Yorkers to make informed choices at the polls.” Our Time Press shares the statements on the site from candidates in key races.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Incumbent. I’ve
been helping elect Democrats my entire life. My passion for public service brought me to Washington, where I worked for Rep. LaFalce and Senator Moynihan. I moved back to Buffalo to raise my family, I found myself gravitating towards politics again. I’ve had the opportunity to rise through the ranks – county office, Congress and now statewide – I never lost my understanding for what happens at the local level and I’ve always worked to elevate more women. Now more than ever, we must use state government to set an example for the rest of the nation. From $15 minimum wage to Paid Family Leave, and from protecting health care to safeguarding a woman’s reproductive health, Governor Cuomo and I have been on the frontlines making state government work for the people. We still have so much more to do, and with your vote we can continue to move. Previous Occupation: Congresswoman, County Clerk, Legislative Counsel to Sen. Moynihan
Jumaane Williams. For too long, New Yorkers have not had an adequate voice at the DBG MEDIA Publishers of Our Time Press, Inc. 358 Classon Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 599-6828 Web site: www.ourtimepress.com e-mail: editors@ourtimepress.com Publisher DBG MEDIA Editor-in-Chief David Mark Greaves Copy Editor Maitefa Angaza
highest level of State Government—especially when it comes to the Lt. Governor’s office, which has historically served as a rubber stamp to the Governor by simply echoing their agenda. But that’s not the type of Lt. Governor our state needs at this moment in time. I will be a Lt. Governor for the people, who serves as an independent voice for all New Yorkers— similar to the Public Advocate position in New York City, and can ensure that our elected officials in Albany uphold their promises and are held accountable for the actions they take. We also need a leader who has effectively navigated challenging waters to produce positive change and won’t sway with whichever way the political winds blow. I will be that leader. I will hold the Governor and the State Legislature accountable to the people of New York. Previous Occupation: Executive Director, New York State Tenants and Neighbors; Housing Director, Flatbush Development Corporation; Interim Executive Director, East Flatbush Community Development Corporation; Assistant Director, Greater Flatbush Beacon School
Jessica Ramos, Opponent. I am running to bring real, progressive change to Albany. While our current state senator works with Republicans to keep Democrats from power, I will work in lockstep with the Democratic caucus to fix our subways, reform rent laws and fund our public schools. Current Occupation: Running for Elected Office Previous Occupation: Director of Latino Media for the City of New York, Communications Advisor to Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives: Build Up NYC, 32BJ SEIU
District 13
District 20
Jose Peralta
State Senator, Incumbent. “I am
seeking reelection to the NYS Senate to ensure that working families, immigrants, school kids, seniors and all of my constituents continue to have a strong, experienced, tireless advocate for the 13th District. As a public servant, I have dedicated my life to improving the district by helping to create better schools, safer streets and creating (as well as protecting) good-paying union jobs. The 13th Senate District is home to the nation’s most diverse immigrant population, many of whom are currently in
Stunning Win in Massachusetts Primary
Web Editor www.ourtimepress.com Liani Greaves Contributors Victoria Horsford Abigail Rosen McGrath Fern Gillespie Akosua Albritton Margo McKenzie Ellis Jordan Lewis Yaasantawa Mensah Marlon Rice Sports Eddie Castro Office Manager Joanna Williams Consultant Bernice Elizabeth Green © 2015, DBG MEDIA Publishers of Our Time Press, Inc., printed in New York City. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publishers. Publishers are not responsible for any ad claims. MBE Certified in NYC, NYS and the Port Authority of NY & NJ Member: New York State Press Association
Ayanna Pressley “It’s a new day.” That’s how one activist described Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley’s upset victory over Rep. Michael Capuano, a 10-term incumbent, in yesterday’s Democratic primary. Pressley, 44, described the vote as one for “the soul of our party and the future of our democracy.” Observers say she successfully drew people of color and young voters to the polls in her district— the only one in Massachusetts that’s not majority white. With no Republicans on the ballot, Pressley’s set to become the first Black woman to represent her state in Congress. (www. ozy.com)
the crosshairs of dangerous, anti-immigrant and anti-American policies coming from Washington. I have and will continue to fight for the NYS DREAM Act as well as a codified Sanctuary State designation. With the help of my Democratic colleagues and community leaders, I will continue to be a strong advocate for affordable housing, stronger rent protections and much-needed capital funding to fix our subways.” Previous Occupation: Member of the tighten sentences
Jesse E. Hamilton, Incumbent.
His entry reads only, “Running as candidate for Senate District 20” and “Democratic.” He is the incumbent.
Zellnor Y. Myrie, Opponent. Myrie says he’s running for State Senate to give back to the Brooklyn community that raised him. Zellnor grew up in a rent-stabilized apartment, the son of Costa Rican immigrants and a proud product of public schools. The fights to defend immigrant rights, fully fund public education and expand affordable housing are personal for
him. The Trump agenda is a dangerous affront to our values and well-being, yet lawmakers in Albany have not done enough to advance affordable housing, public education funding and immigrant rights. When his state senator broke away from the Democrats and began to vote for Republicans in 2016, Zellnor knew his community needed a representative who would take a stand for working families like his own. With our Central Brooklyn communities under attack from Washington, Zellnor believes the stakes are too high to reelect representatives who are motivated more by self-interest than the public good. Current Occupation: Lawyer Previous Occupation: Director of Legislation and Press, New York City Council
State Senate District 23 Jasmine Robinson. My name is Jasmine Robinson and I am running for New York State Senate of District 23. My motivation to run was a vigil I attended for Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner. At this vigil, I witnessed many people who felt angry and lost. Some said politics are a pile of tricks and that elected officials only come around during election time. I entered this race to inspire hope for all communities, especially our most vulnerable. More importantly, I wanted women of color to enter the political arena. As a community activist, I can bring a different perspective. I understand the struggles and plight of the working-class community. It is long overdue that District 23 has a state senator who will show up for all of you. Mark Twain said it best: “politicians and diapers must be changed often and for the same reason.” Current Occupation: Legal Secretary ➔➔ Continued on page 4
Statement from Chair of the Public Service Commission John B. Rhodes on the Removal of Misleading Charter Ads “The PSC continues its action against Charter/Spectrum for failing to adhere to its original franchise agreement committing them to bring high speed Internet access to underserved areas in the state. As a related issue, Charter started running television ads on their news and regular programming touting Charter’s public service contribution to the people of the
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state. This was in direct contradiction to the PSC findings and facts, and Charter agreed to pull the ads. Several weeks ago, Charter started to run similar advertisements touting their “investment in the community.” The PSC found these ads were also misleading and contacted Charter, and the company has also agreed to remove these advertisements.”
NAACP Mourns Passing of Jazz Great Randy Weston
ALTIMORE (September 5, 2018)—The nation’s foremost civil rights organization mourns the passing of jazz great Randy Weston, a modern-griot and powerful unifier of African culture in the Diaspora. Pianist Randy Weston was a literal jazz giant-towering above others at 6’8,” while his music reached even higher and influenced jazz music for decades. Inspired by artists including Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington, his cousin Wynton Kelly, and Thelonious Monk; Weston constantly evolved his music to incorporate sounds from throughout the African Diaspora and particularly the African continent itself. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Weston’s mother was from Virginia and his father was Panamanian/ Jamaican and a follower of Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association
(UNIA). His father’s knowledge of African history and culture heavily influenced Weston’s work and musical pursuits. Weston released his first album in 1954 and his last in 2016. He recorded 50 albums in total, with two of his albums “The Splendid Master Gnawa Musicians of Morocco” and “Tanjah” being nominated for Grammys. He worked with many jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie and Pharaoh Sanders. In 2001, Weston received the Jazz Masters award from the National Endowment for the Arts- the highest honor for jazz artists in America. Weston considered himself a storyteller utilizing jazz as his writing instrument. A veteran of World War II, he will be sorely missed. The NAACP send condolences to his family, friends and supporters.
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WHAT’S GOING ON ■■
By Victoria Horsford
SEPTEMBER 2018 America is still the land where wonders never cease. Last week, WGO reported about Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum’s upset victory over three white millionaire rivals in his quest for the Florida Governor’s Mansion. On September 4, Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley defeated 10-term Congressman Michael Capuano in a primary race. Like other progressives, Pressley, 44, got little respect from
Ayanna Pressley the Black political establishment – like the Congressional Black Caucus, Representative John Lewis, nor former MA Governor Deval Patrick - who supported Capuano, himself a progressive. Her platform is Medicare for all, stricter gun control, expanding subsidies to low-income families. She won 58.9% of the vote. She runs unopposed in November, becoming Massachusetts’ first Black congresswoman. The Collective PAC supports Black elected officials with Black agendas. Why Pressley? The Chicago-born firebrand was raised by her mother, attended Boston University before getting a job as an aide to Congressman Joseph Kennedy and as a political director to Senator John Kerry. She talked candidly about dysfunction, her
absent father and as the survivor of sexual assault, which she believes better prepares her to help people who lived through trauma and other struggles. She argues: “The people closest to the pain should be closest to the power.” Her campaign mantra was: “In the Age of Trump, change can’t wait.” Her supporters are Blacks, women and college students.
ARTS CORNER MUSIC: Pianist extraordinaire Randy Weston, 92, died on September 1 at his home. The Brooklyn-born music virtuoso, son of a Virginia mother and a Panamanian father, Frank Edward Weston, who was a ardent follower of Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey and his Universal Negro Improvement Association. His dad donned his walls with pictures of ancient African kings and talked obsessively about Africa. Weston studied classical piano and was an accomplished composer. Categorized as a bebop pianist, he displayed his music depth and range with his first CD, “Cole Porter in a Modern Mood.” Weston underscored the connections between American jazz and blues and the music of Africa with his memoir, “African Rhythms.” One friend lamented: “Randy was the last of the great jazz pianists. He
Portrait of Randy Weston by Chester Higgins, Jr.
traveled to 18 African countries, then moved his music career from NY to Morocco in the 60s. His music mentors included men like Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins and Billy Strayhorn. The NY Times obit headline reads: “Randy Weston, Pianist Who Emphasized the African Roots of Jazz is Dead.” Funeral Arrangements: Wake September 9, Frank Bell Funeral Home 536 Sterling Place, Brooklyn. Homegoing Service, September 10: View 3-4 pm, Service 4-7 pm Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, 112 Street, Harlem. FINE ARTS: The Skoto Gallery presents CIRCULAR JOURNEY III, an exhibition of recent works by Jamaican-born fine artist Bryan McFarlane, from September 6 to October 20. His work displays his “commitment to the exploration of color, form and abstraction as means to expand the boundaries between art and consciousness.” Born in Portland, Jamaica, a descendent of Maroons, he earned an MFA at the Massachusetts College of Fine Art. He is a Professor of Painting and Drawing at the University of Massachusetts. The gallery is located at 529 West 20th Street, Manhattan. [Visit skotogallery.com] The June Kelly Gallery presents “Lisa Mackie, Here, Then and Now Installation,” which opens September 6 and runs through October 9. She earned her MFA in Painting and Printmaking at the University of Wisconsin. Her works are included in public and corporate collections at the Baltimore Museum, Brooklyn Museum, National Museum (Botswana), National Museum (Poland), Citibank (NY) and PepsiCo (NY). Located at 166 Mercer Street in Manhattan, the gallery is open 11 am to 6 pm, Tuesday to Saturday. [Visit Junekellygallery.com] The DORSEY Gallery’s new exhibit, COLOR SENSATION, showcasing works by Emmet Wigglesworth, Jerry Barry and Jide Ogo, runs from September 9-23. Gallery is located at 553 Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn. [Visit lpdbrooklynarts@gmail.com]
NEWSMAKERS RIP: Ozro Thaddeus (O.T.) Wyoming Wells, 87, died last week. Born in Jim Crow North Carolina, he was the son of Mary and Bishop Wyoming Wells. A Class of 1953 Morehouse man, he earned a law degree from Boston University. After serving in the US Army Signal Corps, he relocated to NY, where his storied life unfolded. A formidable litigator, he was recognized as one of America’s leading
VOL. 22 NO. 36 attorneys in civil rights and in criminal defense. The former president of the National Bar Association was admitted to the bar in NY, Massachusetts and the US Supreme Court. His clients included Miles Davis, Bumpy Johnson and CORE, a civil rights organization. He was a Watergate advisor and a Richard Nixon military delegate to Germany, an Omega Psi Phi member, and a Guardsman. A memorial service is scheduled on September 22 at 10 am at the Abyssinian Baptist Church.
FALL PREVIEWS CEMOTAP (Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People) hosts a Donald Trump discussion, moderated by Dr. James McIntosh, with legal scholar Dr. Gloria Brown Marshall who will evaluate him from a constitutional perspective, and media pundit Playthell Benjamin who evaluates him from a psycho-historical perspective on September 22 at 2 pm at the CEMOTAP Center, located at 135-05 Rockaway Boulevard, South Ozone Park, Queens, NY. Admission is free. [Call 347.907.0629] The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation will host its 48th Annual Legislative Conference, September 12-16 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. The CBCF Conference is the leading policy conference with a focus on issues pertinent to African-Americans and the global Black community. More than 70 public policy forums are scheduled. [Visit CBCFINC.ORG] The American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) will host its first Anchor Awards Benefit Gala, under the patronage of Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, at the NY Yacht Club on October 18. Distinguished honorees are three leaders in the global maritime industry: Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International; Roland Malins-Smith, Seafreight Line, Ltd; and Rick Murrell, Saltchuk Resources and Tropical Shipping. Gala proceeds will support Jamaican-based Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) scholarships and infrastructure development. Founded in 2016 by Geneive Brown Metzger, former Jamaica Consul General in New York, the
Andrew Holness
OT WELLS.
New York-based ACMF is a nonprofit which combats poverty and joblessness by tapping into the unlimited resources of the maritime industry. [Visit ACMFDN.ORG] A Harlem-based management consultant, Victoria is reachable at Victoria.horsford@ gmail.com.
Candidate Statements from NYC Votes ➔➔ Continued from page 2 Previous Occupation: Paralegal
Diane J. Savino. Her entry reads only, “Running as candidate for Senate District 23” and “Democratic.” Brandon P. Stradford.
I am NOT a career politician, but I am a lifelong Advocate, Community Liaison, Mentor and Voice for the Voiceless. I’ve worked to uplift the marginalized, disenfranchised, unemployed and the castaway. I believe that everyone deserves a seat at the table and to have their voices heard. I truly represent the 23rd Senate District; I am African-American,
born of working-class parents, and a former resident of NYCHA. Current Occupation: Human Resources Professional Previous Occupation: Adjunct Professor, Community Liaison
Assembly District 60 Charles Barron, Incumbent. Previous Occupation: NYC Council member; Founder/CEO of Dynamics of Leadership; Exec. Dir., Project Prevention
Jaytee Spurgeon, Opponent. His entry reads only, “Running as candidate for State Assembly District 60” and “Democratic.”
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Below are interviews with two of the four candidates for New York State Attorney General, Leecia Eve and Letitia James. Note: Prof. Zephyr Teachout canceled two appointments and we have not received a return call from Stephen Maloney’s campaign. We asked each candidates the same questions and have edited the responses for space. The entire interviews are available at: www.ourtimepress.com
Letitia James Attorney General Candidate Our Time Press: All four of the candidates in the primary for AG have strong progressive credentials. What evidence can you cite showing that you’ll be more effective than your opponents? Letitia James: I have 20 years experience representing the interests of vulnerable, marginalized communities as a former public defender representing individuals in the criminal justice system who were at their lowest and needed a champion. Serving as an assistant attorney general initiating litigation against a mortgage company that defrauded Brooklyn homeowners, part of an investigation into the “stop-andfrisk” abuses of the NYPD, represented individuals in consumer fraud cases here in the Borough of Brooklyn. And then, as a City Council member, I championed and joined with community groups as we challenged special interests in Brooklyn, stood up on behalf of tenants, uncovered one of the biggest scandals in the City of New York, known as CityTime, recovering over $500 million for taxpayers. And then as the Public Advocate for the City of New York, passing more legislation than all previous Public Advocates combined, including groundbreaking legislation to ban salary history. Because I believe that equal pay for equal work should be more than just a slogan. I’ve held landlords accountable as part of the “Worst Landlords” list. And working with former District Attorney Ken Thompson, had some arrested. Have challenged the NRA and have put pressure upon the banks that finance the NRA and have notified the SEC with regard to investors who invest in these banks that these products of death are causing destruction and carnage in communities of color. Led
the way as a trustee on the Pension Board for the City of New York to divest from gun retailers and fossil fuels and hedge funds that invest in underutilized property with the purpose of evicting and harassing tenants. And lastly, as Public Advocate for the City of New York, have filed more litigation against the mayor, the City of New York, this governor, than previous Public Advocates. Legislation to protect disabled children, parents at school leadership meetings, tenants and senior citizens. And so, given all of that body of work and that experience and that legal knowledge, given the challenges that we face against the federal administration, we need a champion. Right after the Muslim ban, we filed amicus briefs against the federal government. We filed amicus briefs in opposition to the detention and possible deportation of an activist. We stood up on behalf of the LGBTQ community when this administration wanted to ban them from the military. And I’ve represented a child who came to this country seeking asylum from Honduras whose parents--one was murdered and the other had abandoned him. He could not return to his country. He sought asylum in this country and I represented him pro bono. That application was granted and he now is a proud graduate of a Brooklyn high school. Our Time Press: Explain the loophole allowing the presidential pardon to cover state crimes absent new legislation. Is it possible to work around presidential pardons in NYS? LJ: In the event that President Trump pardons Manafort, who as you know has been convicted for federal crimes.
Primarily evading taxes and bank fraud. If the President of the United States were to pardon him, we could still convict him and he would not be pardoned for state crimes. So, it’s critically important that we pass legislation to close this pardon loophole so that the attorney general can pursue charges against Manafort and others for the violations of state crimes here in New York State. I’ve already begun discussions with members of the state legislature to move that bill forward and I’ve called for a special session for that purpose. OTP: As Public Advocate, you’ve tested the envelope of your powers using the courts. On education, there is a wide disparity between money spent on education in rich vs. poor neighborhoods. Is there anything the AG office can do in that area? LJ: It’s important that individuals understand the role of the attorney general. There is an advocacy role in the Office of Attorney General and we will use our activism and the ability to introduce program bills to the state legislature to address the disparities that exist in terms of public education all around the State of New York. As someone who has worked in the state legislature as an attorney who recognizes the funding streams and the budget process and the legislative role of the Office of Attorney General, we will use that bully
Letitia James pulpit to address the wide disparities that currently exist. OTP: Along that same line, the W/ MBE expenditures in NYC are very transparent, and we see that about 90% of dollars go to Asians and women and the balance to Latinos and African-Americans. The state, despite its aggressive goals, does not break down how those goals are reached. Is there a role for the AG to play in increasing transparency at the state level? LJ: Yes. In the Attorney General’s Office, there is the ability to introduce legislation and work with members of the state legislature. One of the things I would like to focus on is all of the public authorities in the State of New York and making sure those authorities which house economic development money, that they be more transparent and accountable. And that we have a spotlight or some sunshine on how much state resources are being awarded ➔➔ Continued on page 14
Leecia Eve Attorney General Candidate Our Time Press: I’m just going to go through a series of questions here, the same questions for everyone. Leecia Eve: Sure. OTP: All four of the candidates in the primary for AG have strong progressive credentials. What evidence can you cite showing that you’ll be more effective than your opponents? LE: Well, I am proud that I have a long history of fighting in the trenches for social justice and I’m glad you asked that question because it’s not just about our positions, but, as you said, it’s our effectiveness, right? Our ability to fight and ability to win. I have more courtroom experience than any candidate across the state, than any other candidate, by far. Starting with when I graduated from Harvard Law School 28 years ago and served as a law clerk to the first AfricanAmerican to serve a full term on the states’ highest court. So, right out of the gate, almost three decades ago, I’m having conversations with jurors on the states’ highest court for two years about the most fundamental legal issues of our time based upon state statutes and the constitution and the federal constitution. As I mentioned, more
courtroom experience from the Western District of New York federal court to the Southern District of New York than any other candidate. The breadth and depth of my background in terms of federal and state policy issues. As a counsel to Joe Biden, helping him advance positive immigration reforms and fight bad ones. It was my primary role when I served as his Judiciary Committee counsel to help him implement the Violence Against Women Act. It was the first civic counsel and Homeland Security advisor to Hillary Clinton fighting in the trenches for four-and-a-half years to advance civil rights, voting rights, women’s rights, immigrants’ rights and then, more recently, as the first woman and the first person of color to serve as a Chief Economic Development Advisor to a governor in the state’s history overseeing 11 agencies and state governments from tax and finance to Empire State development to agriculture markets and that’s important because the challenges that our communities are facing, it’s a two-front war we’re dealing with. OTP: We understand there’s a loophole that allows the presidential pardon to cover state crimes without some new legislation, is that true?
LE: No. There is something called the Pardon Loophole, which I have urged publicly, including on MSNBC weeks ago. I’ve urged the governor to call a special session of the state Assembly and the state Senate to address this issue. The bottom line is that right now, as has always been the case, the President of the United States has the ability only to pardon for convictions of federal crimes, but the way that the New York current law is written, it doesn’t make it impossible, but it makes it unnecessarily challenging for the current Attorney General, Barbara Underwood, or the future Attorney General and I’m working hard for that person to be me. OTP: If he pardoned Manafort tomorrow, would that make action by the legislature too late? LE: No, it wouldn’t make it too late. But the urgency is now. The urgency is
Leecia Eve now to get this legislation enacted so you ideally don’t want to have to have the sitting Attorney General prosecuting state crimes if the legislation that I’ve talked about is passed in October. OTP: On education, there’s a wide disparity between the money spent on education in rich versus poor neighborhoods in New York State. Is there anything the Attorney General can do in that area? ➔➔ Continued on page 14
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Community Calendar
Friday, September 7 –9
th
NOVA FRONTIER FILM FESTIVAL at The Billie Holiday Theater, 1368 Fulton St., Various times, Free on Fri, $10 Sat & Sun. A lineup of compelling films, panels and virtual reality media about and from the African Diaspora, the Middle East and Latin America, presented with RestorationART. This year focuses on immigration, identity and culture, with over 22 shorts, features, documentaries, and panels. For info: 866-811-4111 or restorationart.org.
Saturday, September 8th AFRO-AEROBICS at New Lots Library, 665 New Lots Ave at Barbey St., 10-11AM FREE. Join in for fun, effective exercise led by instruc-
La Bodega Studios, 695 Fifth Ave., 7PM FREE A Brooklyn Book Festival Bookend Event featuring award-winning poets Denice Frohman (2013 Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion), Yesenia Montilla (The Pink Box), Raquel Salas Rivera (The Tertiary/ Lo Terciario), Christopher Soto (Sad Girl Poems), Angela Maria Spring (Duende District Bookstore founder and owner), and David Tomas Martinez (Hustle).
Monday, September 10th
Thursday, September 13th
BOOKEND EVENTS FOR THE BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL
STANDING ON THE SQUARE: PHOTOS BY JAMEL SHABAZZ FiveMyles Gallery, 558 St. John’s Place, 6-9PM FREE Attend a magnificent opening reception of an interdisciplin-
at The Music Pagoda (next to the Boathouse) Prospect Park – enter at Ocean Ave. & Lincoln Road. 12-7PM Admission: Positive Energy. DJs Spinna, Jeannie Hopper, Ray Vazquez, Kim Lightfoot, Mark Francis and a special performing artist to be announced. Dance, grill, hang out and enjoy the last days of summer. The event is free, but to donate, visit gofundme.com/25th-annual-clubhouse-jamboree
Starting today events take place at libraries, bookstores, colleges, cafes, and bars citywide. One event happens on a bridge while poets read from canoes! It all leads up to the main 2018 Festival Day on Sunday. Bookend events feature Tayari Jones, Tracie Morris, Walter Mosley, Paul Coates, Mukoma Wa Ngugi, Tiphanie Yanique and many, many others. They’ll participate in book and poetry readings, panels, a pitch contest, a game show, parties, comedy showcases, karaoke, and more. Info at brooklynbookfestival.org.
Sunday, September 9th
Wednesday, September 12th
BALDWIN'S IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
LATINX IN PUBLISHING PRESENTS: A NIGHT OF SPOKEN WORD POETRY
Nova Film Festival th
(Part of the 56th Annual New York Film Festival). Based on James Baldwin's novel and written and directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), this is the story of Tish, a newly engaged Harlem woman racing the clock to prove her love’s innocence while carrying their child. Be among the first to see this Harlem love story where Baldwin’s characters live. Get tickets online or at the box office.
tor Rubens. Participate every Saturday at this library as part of ShapeUpNYC.
25TH ANNUAL CLUBHOUSE JAMBOREE
Apollo Theater on Tuesday, October 9th
ary installation curated by Dr. Myrah Green. It includes almost 40 years of Shabazz’ iconic photos. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Shabazz’s had over two dozen solo exhibitions around the world in the last 10 years, including work from his “Pieces of A Man,” “A Time Before Crack,” “When Two Worlds Meet,” etc. Call 718-783-4438 for info. ➔➔ Continued on page 13
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The Co-naming Ceremony for Frank and Doris Bell Way ■■
By Akosua K. Albritton
State Committee District Leader Olanike or their steadfast business acumen Alabi said of the Bells, and community service, funeral “We can celebrate Frank homeowners Frank and Doris Bell and Doris for investing posthumously received the gift of a street their resources into the co-naming ceremony on Saturday, Septemcommunity. When the ber 1, 2018. Public Advocate Letitia James, other businesses left the who is running for New York State Attorney area, the Bells stayed. General, said, “Honor the life and legacy of They have been very supportive of many community institutions, especially houses of worship. Alabi went on to discuss that it is the people who came before us that bolster us. They are the ones whose shoulders we stand on. “I am proud that now I stand on the shoulders of Doris and Frank Bell.” Celebrants at street co-naming: Eric Garnes, Caralyn Civil Court Judge Bell Percy, Benard Percy, Robin Shears followed Frances Bell Henry, Robert Henry District Leader Alabi. Shears remarked on how expansive the Bells them—the Kings County community—for Frank & Doris Bell Way were in serving the community. “We thank their legacy as defined as a gift.” Shears thanked Frances Bell Henry for continuing the legacy. Judge Shears The Community Council for Medgar Evers College, Inc. closed by admonishing the audience to, “Get your affairs in order to have and the last word.” By this, she meant for Medgar Evers College, City University of New York each person in attendance to prepare Present for death by establishing a will. NYC Council member Laurie Cumbo (35th CD) came to the stage and stated, “Yes, we did this!” What Cumbo is referring to are the many actors involved in making the street co-naming ceremony a reality which is a testament to the Frank R. Bell Funeral Home’s warmth and generosity to the community. It is also a testament to over 60 years of Black In Tribute to her Acclaimed Work business ingenuity and goodwill. The Honoring the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (50 years) Council member profusely praised 77th Precinct Community Council President Lighting the Fires of Freedom: James Caldwell and Public Advocate Letitia James. The Council member African-American Women in the Civil Rights Movement took a moment to heartily support James’ run for NYS Attorney General. Reverend Craig Gaddy followed after Council member Cumbo. Gaddy praised the business acumen and service of the funeral home and stated the funeral home’s patrons were met “with hope and with integrity.” Assuming 1638 Bedford Ave. the reigns of the business is Francis MEC. Edison Jackson Auditorium, 1st Fl. Charlene Bell-Henry, who graciously Brooklyn, NY 11225 – corner of Crown Street thanked all in attendance for their presMistress of Ceremonies: Dr. Marcella Maxwell ence and assured the continuance of Educator and Former Chair & Commissioner, fine management and the acknowledgNYC Commission on Human Rights. ment of the dignity of the grieving family members who choose to patronize Moderator: Dr. Brenda M. Greene Frank R. Bell Funeral Home. The other Chair, English Department and daughter, Karen Bell-Gursey, traveled Executive Director, Center for Black Literature, MEC with her family from California to take This event includes a Reception, Program & Book-Signing part in the auspicious occasion. Mrs. Barnes & Noble will be on site at 4:00 pm to sell the book Bell-Gursey read from “The Way to Happiness, A Common-Sense Guide RSVP: meccommunitycouncil@yahoo.com to Better Living,” a booklet that was later distributed to the audience. Rev. Dr. Johnny R. Youngblood quipped, ABOUT THE AUTHOR: “Remember that you still have to go JANET DEWART BELL is a social justice activist with a doctorate in leadership to church tomorrow though you have and change from Antioch University. She founded the Derrick Bell Lecture on attended this event.” Race in American Society series at the New York University School of Law. An Staying on schedule, the crowd, award-winning television and radio producer, she lives in New York City. which appeared to be at least 250 people, was directed to the corner of Sterling Place and Classon Avenue for MANY THANKS TO OUR CO-SPONSORS! the ceremonial unveiling of the street sign “Frank & Doris Bell Way” and PUBLISHERS CIRCLE: Black Veterans for Social Justice ⚫ Eda F. Harris-Hastick, Ed.D, MSW, the release of the doves. The guests LCSW, Medgar Evers College and Roy A. Hastick, Sr., President & CEO, Caribbean American were directed back to the front of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. funeral home for a lunch consisting of EDITORS CIRCLE: Center for Black Literature, MEC ⚫ Center for Law and Social Justice, MEC ⚫ Central vegetable salad, hamburgers and hot Brooklyn MLK Commission ⚫ Church Women United in Brooklyn ⚫ Janet Dewart Bell, Ph.D. ⚫ National dogs. The program ended after over Allotment Insurance Agency, Inc. ⚫ National Association of University Women-Brooklyn Branch ⚫ Strong Power Business Consulting, Inc.. two hours of live and recorded singing and music.
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Frank and Doris Bell. For more than half a century, this funeral home has been a staple of this community.” The Public Advocate explained the many times she went to the Bells requesting funeral services on behalf of a deceased veteran or homeless person. The Bells would always agree to do so. “The Bells so graciously gave of their time. This important family business has lasted so long due to good business acumen and their goodwill.” In fact, when the Bells gave James an award for her community service, the Public Advocate did not believe she deserved it. There is concern for the funeral home in terms of its particular work and for being Black-owned in the Crown Heights community. Many community leaders express their support of the business and wanting to keep the funeral home in this location. James Caldwell, President of the 77th Precinct Community Council, explained how one day he came to collect the Doris D. Bell Award on behalf of another person but “got word from the Lord that my other task was to get Sterling Place co-named after Frank and Doris Bell.”
A Conversation and Book-Signing Event With JANET DEWART BELL, PH.D.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 21. 2018 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Thinkers Notebook ■■
Foxes in The Queen’s House
By Marlon Rice
Charles Ellis is a 60-year-old man. Ariana Grande is a 25-year-old was going to title this article The Pulpit woman. After her performance at the Was Toxic, but I definitely did not want funeral, Charles Ellis called her to to allow for the indiscretions of two the podium. As she approached, he preachers to mitigate the excellence that put his arm around her upper body, was our Queen Aretha Franklin, nor muddle his hand landing along the side of her the homegoing services even worse than the breast. He grabs her in that manner both of these so-called holy men literally while telling some stupid joke about attempted to do while presiding over the thinking her name was an entree at funeral of one of the most important cultural Taco Bell. The whole thing lasted less innovators of the 20th century. Because than a minute, and in the context of Aretha really meant that much to our expea 9-hour funeral, many might have missed rience. More than the music, more than the it. But as a father of two daughters and the style, the energy she gave this world created brother of two sisters, I did not miss it. His sonic influences that will continue to touch actions were predatory, simple and plain. us into the next era. I was listening to her He does not know Ariana Grande, and he’s catalog and heard at least a half-dozen songs old enough to be her grandfather. Grabbing that were sampled by hip-hop artists, and I her in the way that he did, placing his hand hadn’t known that those artists where he did, and attempting to got those sounds from Aretha. misdirect the whole thing with She has influenced my life in some stupid and offensive joke, ways that I am still discovering. these things are telltale predatory As extravagant, as over-themarkers. Oftentimes, the predator top, and as long as this funeral will use his authority or position service was, Aretha deserved to elicit unnecessary touching every minute of it. She deserved from his prey. Did Charles Ellis the wardrobe changes and the really need to grab her body like 150 pink Cadillacs. She deserved he did, pulling her close to him having dignitaries from across the and rubbing her breast in the nation forced to sit in their seats process? Of course, he didn’t, and be a part of this homegoing but he did it because that’s what all day long. I don’t think Louis predators do. This is probably Farrakhan, Al Sharpton, Jesse second nature to him. Even worse, Jackson and Bill Clinton have this is probably second nature to ever had to sit in a room together many of the young women in his T:10” for 9 hours. Aretha did that. congregation, who Sunday after Fantasia singing on that stage Sunday have to deal with this guy barefoot and blowing from her pulling them too close, grabbing gut out into the ether with praise Bishop Charles Ellis III pulling in singer Ariana Grande. them in ways they don’t want
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and worship, Aretha did that. Michael Eric Dyson’s magnificent wordplay and stirring dedication, Aretha did that. She was worthy of all of it and even more. What Aretha didn’t deserve is the obnoxious, predatory, disillusioned and misogynistic actions of so-called Bishop Charles Ellis III and so-called Reverend Jasper Williams, Jr. I use the term “so-called” because I know bishops and reverends who are upstanding and reverent, and disciplined and respectful, and quite honestly based on what I witnessed, I don’t think either of these men are deserving of those titles without my chosen prefix. To act in a manner anyway other than in the highest regard, during such an important cultural event, speaks directly to a man’s character. These two have holes in their buckets.
Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr. to be grabbed, all while saying something obnoxious and crude. Just the thought of that bothers me. How are you chosen to eulogize Aretha Franklin and you spend an hour talking down to Black folk, and you never even properly eulogized Aretha Franklin? I dunno, ask Jasper Williams, Jr., because that is exactly what he did. A eulogy is a speech designed to give praise and high honor to someone who has recently passed away. Jasper’s speech did a lot of things, but it didn’t honor or give praise to Aretha Franklin at all. Case in point, Jasper went on for a few minutes about how 70% of Black households are led by Black women, but Black women can’t raise a boy to be a man. Two things wrong with that. First, he’s wrong about the number. 100% of Black households are run by Black women and they should be. Secondly, how do you make it a point to criticize the Black woman’s ability to raise sons when the woman you are eulogizing was a single mother of four sons? Either you were too lazy to have done your research or you know that Aretha had sons and you’re throwing shade at them and her. Either way, ➔➔ Continued on page 18
IT’S MORE THAN A CALL
It’s a way to keep you and your community safe. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and call 911 or 1-800-75-CONED (26633). Learn more about gas safety at coned.com/gassafety
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“When Randy Weston plays / a combination of strength and gentleness / virility and velvet emerges from the keys in an ebb and flow of sound / seemingly as natural as the waves of the sea.” – Langston Hughes
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Randy Weston Honored Africa
by Fern Gillespie
aster Sunday, April 8, 2012, was a resurrection observance of another sort for New Yorkers who loved Randy Weston. The lifelong Brooklyn resident observed his birthday weekend with the premiere of “An African Nubian Suite,” featuring his African Rhythms Orchestra at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the internationally acclaimed pianist, composer, bandleader and cultural ambassador celebrated his 86th birthday that Friday, April 6. The innovator and visionary, at that time, was also celebrating more than 60 years of active work, informing and inspiring musicians and music lovers all over the world. This includes living in Africa and traveling throughout the continent. Way before it was popular to do it, Weston’s compositions encompassed the vast rhythmic heritage of Africa. “When you trace where African people had been taken--whether it’s Brazil or Cuba
or Venezuela or Puerto Rico or Jamaica or New Orleans or wherever--you find that they got their music from Africa,” Weston explained. “So, I had to go to Africa and spend time with the traditional people. By doing that, I discovered that this is where we come from. It’s our source.” Through “An African Nubian Suite,” Weston honors the Nubians who were the first human race on earth and the oldest of the great civilizations in Africa. The suite was inspired by Weston’s relationship with the traditional peoples of Aswan where he married his wife (name). “You have to go back to Africa, where music was created as a spiritual force,” he said. “Music was created to bring human beings together. Music is the creation of the Creator.” Weston lived through 20th century music history. His childhood friends were Max Roach and Cecil Payne. When Eubie Blake was 100, Weston was hanging out with the centenarian. The period of the early 20’s and 30’s was royalty. “We will never surpass Ellington or Tatum or Billie Holiday. That’s our royalty. From them, they taught
us how to make music in a different way. Each one of them is completely unique,” he explained. “They were in a period where they were segregated. They couldn’t go to hotels. They couldn’t go to restaurants. Still, they made this incredible music.” While his travels took him on musical journeys throughout the globe, Brooklyn was still the home base. It’s where his father owned a barber shop and later a restaurant. It’s where Weston studied classical piano as a child and graduated from Boys High School. Weston’s musical impact is reflected in his induction into the ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame, designated a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, and named Jazz Composer of the Year three times by DownBeat magazine. He was the recipient of many other honors and awards, including France’s Order of Arts and Letters, the Black Star Award from the Arts Critics and Reviewers Association of Ghana, and a fivenight tribute at the Montreal Jazz Festival. “An African Nubian Suite” was developed with support from the Guggenheim Foundation. Audiences experienced the spirituality of
Randy Weston Honored Our Home A Magical Day with Weston, Billy Harper and Friends ■■
By Bernice Elizabeth Green
All Photos by Winston Wharton
(Remembering a remarkable Sunday afternoon 5 years ago) Randy was one of the geniuses living in the neighborhood and when Senegalese Chef Pierre Thiam and I ran into him one afternoon we offered to host a small gathering to celebrate this new CD. He said sure and, “How about next week?” And so, the owners of Our Time Press and Legacy Ventures collaborated with Pierre to spread our wings, to fly high, and to open the doors on December 29, 2013 to friends and family of Randy Weston, a music king who was part of our extended family.
The idea was to promote within our community of one of the greatest musicians who ever lived there. “A Conversation with Randy Weston and Billy Harper” (in celebration of the new Weston/Harper album, “The Roots of the Blues”). We thought that pulling this off in just five days would be the highlight of a routine Christmas. We thought wrong. In fact, to put it in terms of a music movement, that Sunday afternoon was the sweetest of suites! We decorated the house with Sunnyside Recording posters of Randy. The first guests to arrive were gifts, unto themselves: they were percussionist Candido de Guerra Camero
(“Candido”), then 92, and Billy Harper, arguably the greatest sax player to ever come out of Houston. They were on time at 4:00pm. Other music luminaries flowed in, one after the other, to the beat and the sweep of African Rhythms. We were too in awe to even think about what had been accomplished in so short a time. Randy, Billy and Randy’s wife, the gracious Fatoumata, put out the clarion call, sans social media backup, and nearly 50 superstar musicians, blues impresarios and fans showed up. Dexter Gordon’s wife assisted Thiam and Romare Bearden’s daughter washed dishes, while Salif Cisse, the originator of the New York African food movement with his much-missed Keur N Deye restuarant, served homemade appetizers. Viola Plummer and Collette Pean came by. Writers, photographers, community leaders and activists, were there. Bedford Stuyvesant’s master drummer Neil Clarke of Decatur Street was among those who braved the sheets of rain and blustery winds to attend. ➔➔ Continued on page 20
Africa with music and poetry at the NYU concert. It featured special appearances by poet Jayne Cortez and historian Robin D. G. Kelley. Special books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors: “African Rhythms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston and Africa Speaks,” “America Answers: Modern Jazz in Revolutionary Times” by Robin D. G. Kelley. The African Rhythms Orchestra musicians performing included: T. K. Blue (Sax & Flute), Alex Blake (Bass), Billy Harper (Tenor Sax), Candido (Percussion), Cecil Bridgewater (Trumpet), Howard Johnson (Tuba), Lewis Nash (Drums), Martin Obeng (Balafon), Neil Clarke (African Percussion), Robert Trowers (Trombone), Ayodele Maakheru (Banjo), Salieu Suso (Kora), Min Xiao Feng (Pipa), Tanpani Demda Cissoko (Singer), L’houssine Bouhamidy (Ganawa). “When you go back to Charlie Parker and all these people, they are like musical prophets. They came on the planet, they gave us music in a certain way to inspire us to make us happy and forget our problems,” Weston reflected. “Music is magic.”
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Pianist Randy Weston, Spokesman for Jazz’s Bond with African Culture, Dies at 92 ■■ By Nate Chinen • WBGO Sept. 1, 2018
R
andy Weston, a pianist and composer who devoted more than half a century to the exploration of jazz’s deep connection with Africa, died on Saturday at his home in Brooklyn. He was 92. His death was announced by his wife and business partner, Fatoumata Weston. Over the course of an extraordinarily long and distinguished career, Weston carried on the pianistic and composerly tradition of Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk before him. But he was steadfast in a specific sense of mission: he regarded jazz as an extension of African music, from its foundational essence to its living expression. He made this argument not only in eloquent conversation but also in powerful musical terms, often in recent years with his band African Rhythms. An imposingly tall but soft-spoken man, Weston embodied the connections he espoused. His touch at the piano was emphatically percussive, but also elegant, resonant and clear. He worked with a sophisticated harmonic language often shaded in blue, and in his compositions — like “Hi-Fly” and “Little Niles,” which have become standards — he drew an unmistakable line from the
Photo: Courtesy Magnolia Tree Earth Center.
Randy Weston at a community fundraiser. African continent to the swinging verities of hard-bop and other strains of modern jazz. “When you go to Africa, you become very humble,” Weston told Sheila Anderson last year in a Salon Session interview at WBGO. “You realize that you are from thousands and thousands of years of civilization,
Remembering Randy Weston "This hurts. I just saw Randy & Fatoumata at a BMCC/TriBeCa Artist’s Talk in June, and went later to hear him play in concert celebrating his 92nd Birth Day. I was working on a proposal to bring him to Oberlin College to conduct a Master Class and to repeat that wonderful South African Concert with him, Hugh Masekela (also gone too soon), Gregory Porter and Vanesa Rubin. This trip was put together by Jitu Weusi and representatives of the South African Government and the Central Brooklyn Jazz Coalition. There was this one breathtaking moment when Randy walked over to the beautiful baby grand piano in this wonderfully constructed famous South African music studio where they produced the music for The Lion King --I think they said. Randy started playing and after a little bit, Gregory walked down to the piano and effortlessly sang while Randy effortlessly played. These two artists transported all of us to a very special place where the power of music heals and restores. The South African Government invited Randy to come back and to produce his next album at this studio. Quiet tears of sadness that flow. Irreplaceable. And Fatoumata: how she did love and protect him." Dr. Olivia Cousins, Professor, Health Education and Ethnic Studies, BMCC “Randy Weston is a towering jazz master - both figuratively and physically - who inspired folks across the globe with his tireless pursuit of The Spirits of Our Ancestors. His exemplary insistence and certainty of the African roots of jazz and related 20th century musics was achieved and expounded through a 60+ year career that found him performing his music and inspiring audiences across the globe in both traditional venues, and perhaps even more singularly in non-traditional venues as well, examples of the latter being performances for the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Moroccan monarchy, Buddhist shrines in Kyoto, Japan, and numerous musical collaborations with the Gnawa Master Musicians of Morroco spirit music brotherhood."
Peace, Willard Jenkins "Randy Weston illuminated, he celebrated and he helped us all to remember the African aesthetic that sits at the very center of the many forms of blues and jazz. He was as comfortable sitting and sharing a story as he was sitting at the piano and sharing a jazz work. A true gentleman of jazz." Dr. Indira Etwaroo, Executive Director, RestorationART "Dr. Randy Weston, revered by fellow musicians and residents of central Brooklyn is a symbol of the African origins of the music known as Jazz. Randy was introduced to Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium by CBJC founders, Voila Plummer; Alma Carroll and then chairperson Jitu Weusi. Weston is a member of the Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame, he was an honorary chair for the hall’s 2018 induction ceremony. Randy Weston traveled overseas with Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium. His first performance in the Republic of South Africa happened on the occasion of CBJC’s twelve-day Jazz Africa Heritage Pilgrimage to the nation. Produced by the North West Parks & Tourism Board and Gauteng Tourism for Black History Month 2007 for the purpose of bonding with the people of Brooklyn. Randy, along with others, became icons for this African diasporic cultural bridge known by the acronym JAH. He toured World Heritage sites throughout the region with aficionados, educators and performed on the same stage as Brooklyn and southern African musicians. Dr. Weston loaned his name to many programs spearheaded by Brooklyn’s vanguards of “The Music,” Sistas’ Place; Jazz966, International African Arts Festival, and CBJC. Randy’s participation in Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival’s early days gave credence to this long-running cultural event. Randy Weston’s presence and teaching will be remembered! Brooklyn’s jazz community will ensure his spirit lives on, as we pay tribute to his life in the years to come." Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium Communications Section comm@cbjcjazz.org
and how much we have to learn from these people.” Weston made his first visit to the African continent in 1961 as part of a tour for the U.S. State Department. He visited Lagos, Nigeria on that trip, and returned there under the same auspices two years later. After a third visit in 1967, he decided to move to Morocco, finding deep spiritual resonance in the traditional music of the Gnawa. In Tangier, he opened and operated a popular jazz club, also called African Rhythms, from the late ‘60s into the ‘70s. But it would be an oversimplification to imply that Weston had an awakening during his trips abroad. Born in Brooklyn, New York on April 6, 1926, he came up in a household conversant in African culture. His mother, Vivian, was born in Virginia; his father, Frank, was Panamanian and a strong admirer of Marcus Garvey, whose Pan-African message made a formative impression. Weston studied classical piano before his professional career began after the Second World War, with bluesmen like Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Bullmoose Jackson. He encountered some important encouragement when, in 1951, he took a summer job as a breakfast chef at the Music Inn in the Berkshires. There, he met the scholar and historian Marshall Stearns, who eventually asked Weston to accompany his lectures, some of which drew a decisive musicological lineage between jazz and the folkloric music of West Africa. That connection gradually became more legible to Weston. “My good friend, the bassist Ahmad Abdul-Malik’s people were from the Sudan and he played the oud, which
has this thing of playing notes between the notes,” he recalled roughly a decade ago in an appearance on NPR’s Piano Jazz. “I couldn’t get that sound on the piano. But when I heard Thelonious Monk play, I heard this same magic on the piano; even his way of swinging had that same element.” Weston released his debut album, Cole Porter in a Modern Mood, on Riverside Records in 1954. The following year, he was named New Star Pianist in the Down Beat International Critics’ Poll. When he then released The Randy Weston Trio, featuring Sam Gill on bass and Art Blakey on drums, it notably opened with a composition titled “Zulu.” During the ‘60s, Weston released a succession of boldly realized albums, including Uhuru Africa, which featured African hand-drumming front and center, alongside a big band stacked with talent: Clark Terry, Yusef Lateef, Max Roach and Gigi Gryce, just for starters. The arrangements were by Melba Liston, a close collaborator who also worked with Weston on albums like Highlif e (1963), Tanjah (1973) and The Spirits of Our Ancestors (1991). But Uhuru Africa, which also incorporates lyrics and poetry by Langston Hughes, belongs in a category of its own. As Robin D.G. Kelley has observed, the album “acknowledged Africa’s cultural ties to its descendants, honored African womanhood and promoted the idea of a modern Africa, a beacon for a new future.” Weston had some more commercial outings in the ‘70s, none more so than Blue Moses, released on CTI Records. It features Freddie Hubbard in peak swashbuckling form and a rhythm team that often features bassist Ron Carter and drummer Billy Cobham, along with several percussionists. In African Rhythms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston, a book written with Willard Jenkins and published in 2010, Weston recalls being unpleasantly surprised by the slick production of Blue Moses, but appreciative of the fact that it was the biggest hit of his career. By and large, Weston’s success was less a matter of commercial performance than cultural influence. He was a 2001 NEA Jazz Master, a 2011 Guggenheim Fellow and a 2016 inductee in the DownBeat Critics’ Poll Hall of Fame. He won a Doris Duke Impact Award and received several honorary doctorate degrees. Two years ago, his personal trove of musical scores, correspondence, recordings and other materials were acquired by Harvard Library, in collaboration with the ➔➔ Continued on page 13
Randy Weston
April 6, 1926 - September 1, 2018
Please share: Arrangements for Homegoing Service
WAKE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 VISITATION: 1:00 -7:00 pm WAKE SERVICE: 4:00 -7:00 pm FRANK BELL FUNERAL HOME 536 STERLING PLACE, BROOKLYN, NY 11238
HOMEGOING SERVICE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 VIEWING: 3:00 - 4:00 pm SERVICE: 4:00 -7:00 pm CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE 1047 AMSTERDAM AVENUE NEW YORK, NY 10025
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VOL. 22 NO. 36
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OUR TIME PRESS Septmber 6 – 12, 2018
➔➔ Continued from page 7
Friday, September 14th CLOSING EVENT/ARTIST TALK FOR THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St., 6-9PM FREE. RestorationART and the Fulton Art Fair present the artists of the FAF commenting through art on social, economic and political conditions of the past and present. The show closes 9/16. The Last Dragon – Free Outdoor Screening, The Parade Grounds at Governor’s Island, 7-10PM FREE (Bring a blanket.) Pre-show at 7, film at dusk, accompanied by a short by a local filmmaker.
Saturday, September 15th BQLT 7TH ANNUAL BIKE & WALKING TOUR Departing from Concerned Citizens of Grove Street Community Garden, 72 Grove St. 1:30-5PM FREE. Join the Brooklyn Queens Land Trust for a guided walking and biking tour of select community gardens in Bushwick and Central Brooklyn! See what’s going on in your neighborhood gardens! Watch chickens and beehives up close! Hear the stories behind these green spaces and connect with your community!
CHILDREN’S DAY AT THE BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL! Events take place at Metrotech Commons, Metrotech Center and NYU’s Brooklyn campus, Flatbush Ave at Myrtle Ave., 10 AM to 4PM., FREE. Book-focused events include: readings, a writing workshop, Haitian art workshop, sketch-comedy musical, live-action drawing competition, dance performance, etc. Gordon C. James reads from his Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut, a salute to barbershops and the humanity of Black boys. Visit brooklynbookfestival.org for details on all events.
Sunday, September 16
evening’s community conversation. Childcare will be provided.
th
THE BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL, Brooklyn Borough Hall, 208 Joralomen St., and various venues, (indoor & outdoor) in the vicinity. 10AM-6PM. FREE. One of the nation’s blockbuster book events and NYC’s largest. More than 300 national and international authors will participate and 250 booksellers will set up. The offerings are vast and varied. Review them at brooklynbookfestival. com to plan your day. Be prepared to line up for entry to events featuring celebrity authors.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Wednesday, September 19th RADICAL BLACK MOTHERING Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Ave. 6-8PM FREE Brooklyn-based writer Ashley Simpo’s story on Huffington Post about co-mothering with her best friend inspired this event. She will be the moderator of the
Friday, September 21st LIGHTING THE FIRES OF FREEDOM: AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT Medgar Evers College, 1638 Bedford Ave., 5-8PM FREE Join author and social justice activist Janet Dewart Bell, Ph.D for an enlightening conversation, book-signing and celebratory reception for her latest book, written in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Mistress of ceremonies is former NYC Commissioner on Human Rights, Dr. Marcella Maxwell.
Tuesday, September 25th BOOK TALK: UPENDING THE IVORY TOWER: CIVIL RIGHTS, BLACK POWER, AND THE IVY LEAGUE 128 Pierrepoint St., 6:30 PM $5 The story of pioneering Black students, staff, and faculty that reshaped the
hallowed halls of Ivy League institutions. Stefan Bradley, Chair of African American Studies at Loyola Marymount, shares the history of the Black Power movement taking hold in university halls, forever changing curricula, narratives, and opportunities for empowerment through education. Tickets at Eventbrite.
Friday, September 28th BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER, FILMS ON COURAGE AND HEALING The Stoop at BRIC 647 Fulton St., 7-9PM, Doors at 6:30 FREE In tribute to the legendary Aretha Franklin’s transforming musical talents, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series presents a pre-festival evening of shorts honoring the power of self-care, wellness and healing in times of trouble and challenge. Including Blaque, a visual essay set to Nikki Giovanni’s “Ego Trippin’ ”, The Perfect Sacrifice, on the courage and pain of Emmett Till’s mother and The Blue Line, documenting outrage and conflict when a blue line in support of the police is painted on a small town road.
Pianist Randy Weston ➔➔ Continued from page 11
Jazz Research Initiative at the Hutchins Center for African and African-American Research. Along with his wife, Weston is survived by three of his four children: Cheryl, Pamela and Kim; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Last year, Weston released The African Nubian Suite — his 50th album and the first on his own African Rhythms label--supported by a Guggenheim Fellowship. Recorded in concert in 2012 at New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, it features narration by the scholar Wayne Chandler and poetry by the late Jayne Cortez. Weston was planning to tour and record when he died; his fall calendar was to include an Oct. 17 concert for the World Music Institute at the New School. His message now lives on in his recordings and concert footage, and will continue to exert influence by personal example. “When I touch the piano,” he said in an All Things Considered profile last year, “it becomes an African instrument. It’s no longer a European instrument. I say that in a positive way, not a negative way.”
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Leecia Eve, NYS Attorney General Candidate ➔➔ Continued from page 6 LE: Yes, and David, I am so glad you asked it because I am the only candidate that in every single forum, regardless of where I am in the state, that is talking about education but I am a candidate for AG for three reasons: (1) I have extraordinary parents who are two of the greatest public servants this state has ever known who instilled in me seeking to do the best that I can do. (2) My faith has been critically important and the foundation for me being able to graduate from Harvard Law School is that I had a quality public school education and I knew instinctively as a child that the public school education I had at that point was in Buffalo, I lived in New York City and have for many years but I’m a product of the Buffalo public schools and I knew at the time that the public school education I had with great teachers was not the experience that all of my friends were having. And (3) the state’s highest court, the New York State Court of Appeals, the court that I work for, almost thirty years ago for the first African-American to serve on that court, that court held that every single child in this state, no matter what their zip code, no matter what their circumstances, is entitled to a sound, basic, quality education and that all of our children are not receiving it. OTP: Well, you know along that same line of the roles of the AGs office, the W/ MBE expenditures in NY City are very transparent, that is, we can see about 90% of the dollars go to Asians and women, and the balance to Latinos and AfricanAmericans. The state, despite its aggressive goals, does not break down how those goals are reached. Is there a role for the AG to play in increasing transparency at the state level? LE: Well, certainly I would encourage greater transparency and I will tell you that I am proud as the Chief Economic Development Advisor to the governor five years ago, that I played a central role in implanting the governor’s goals. The prior
governors had goals that were in the 10% range. We moved it up to 20%. I remember dealing with one of the agencies in my portfolio was Agriculture and Markets, so I know about the agriculture industry and the farming industry across the state and overseeing the work on the disparity study which provided unequivocal additional factual evidence for increasing the W/ MBE goals and holding agencies accountable. I’m not sure to what extent is public but Ag and Markets had a very, very low participation rate. And I remember having a conversation with the commissioner of Ag and Markets, saying we got to do a lot better than this. This may be rural NY but there’s no reason why you can’t have exponentially more W/MBE’s getting this work OTP: Governor Cuomo formed and abruptly disbanded the Moreland Commission because, as reported by the Times, it was looking at things with ties to the governor. President Trump wishes he could do the same with the special counsel. How would you approach corruption in the legislature? LE: Well, first of all, let me be clear, I have stated many times on the record, and I will state on the record with you right now, David, the governor made a big mistake shutting down the Moreland Commission. That should never have happened. So that’s unfortunate, but I just want to be clear that I disagree with the governor’s decision to have closed the commission. But as to how I would prosecute corruption, there’s been all this discussion about well, how much power does the AG have to prosecute corruption. The power and the jurisdiction the AG of the state to prosecute corruption is broad. Now it can be even more expansive but as the AG and as the person with the most legislative experience, I will fight to increase the statutory authority for the AG to prosecute corruption but the existing authority to prosecute corruption is broad… An elected official who is using state taxpayer funds to engage in corrupt activities. That is now squarely within the
jurisdiction because of this memorandum of the AGs office. A corporation who may misuse state taxpayers’ funds, there’s already a wide jurisdiction for the AG to go after corrupt corporations or corrupt corporations that mislead or are seeking to scam New Yorkers, but this particular memorandum really did expand the breadth of the office and so that’s the legal basis that I would rely upon, not in whole but in large part, to go after corruption. But let me also say this, you didn’t ask this question but I’m going to ask it and answer it for you. OTP: Sure. LE: Because some people have asked all the candidates would you be independent? Absolutely I would. I will investigate and prosecute corruption wherever I find it. One person asked me, was kind of suggesting, well, would you be afraid to do so? Absolutely not. I am 54 years of age, when I was 7 years old in 1971 during the Attica prison uprising, you’ll remember this, my father, who had corresponded with inmates in Attica who were telling him about the conditions they were living in, he was corresponding with them, one of the few legislators in all of the state that was responding to the concerns of prisoners. So, when Attica riots broke out, my father was one of a very small number of people that the inmates asked to come to the prison during the riots to help negotiate on their behalf. My father went into that prison not knowing whether he would come out alive. That is what I am made of. That is what I am made of. So, the notion of being politically independent? Oh my God, that’s light stuff compared to what my family and I have done as we do what we can fighting in the trenches for social justice and to make the lives of people in this state. OTP: As you travel around the state, what do you see as the biggest challenges? LE: Communities all across the state, in Brooklyn, across the city, across the New York Metro region, all the way to Buffalo, people are still struggling economically. Yes, the national economy is better, but I still hear from so many New Yorkers, and
not just African-American people: Black, brown, white, a lot of people are still struggling economically. Jobs are still an issue. Educational opportunity is an issue. It’s an issue in our community, in communities of color, but it’s an issue in rural communities. The opioid crisis is ravaging communities across the state and we didn’t do what we should have done as a state, as a nation to address the crack crisis when it was ravaging Black communities in particular; that’s a black mark on our state and our nation’s history that we didn’t provide the kind of resources that help people get off crack and make the investments in our communities, but in addressing the opioid crisis, we have a chance to address the crisis in the way that we should have addressed the crack crisis many years ago. Housing, housing is a crisis all across the state. Affordability, it’s a crisis in Brooklyn, it’s a crisis in Syracuse, too. Quality housing, slum landlords, they’re in Brooklyn, they’re in Harlem, they’re in Queens, they’re in Staten Island, they’re in the Bronx. But they’re all across this state including in rural NY. People being evicted from their homes unfairly, happening across the city, happening across the state. OTP: Is there anything you’d like to add? LE: One of the things that I did want to add and it’s not New York-specific but it’s something that I’m very proud of the opportunity I’ve been given to serve and to transform lives across the state and I will, hopefully as the next AG, if I’m elected and I’m working really hard to be elected, we’ll build upon that work. Because at the end of the day, it’s the job of the AG. People say what does the AG do and so I describe the office and the authority is very broad, the powers are very broad, but I say at the end of the day it’s the job of the AG to make sure everybody is treated justly and fairly. OTP: Well, listen, thank you so much, I appreciate your time and remembering your father, reminding me of what he had done, too. Thank you very much, I appreciate it. LE: Oh, thank you, it was my pleasure.
Letitia James, NYS Attorney General Candidate ➔➔ Continued from page 6 and spent on minority and women-owned businesses in the State of New York. OTP: Governor Cuomo formed and then abruptly disbanded the Moreland Commission because, as reported in the NY Times, because it was looking at things with ties to the governor. President Trump wishes he could do the same with the Special Counsel. Given your support from the governor as well as a lot of Democratic leaders across the state, how would you approach corruption in the legislature. Would you recuse yourself, how would that work? LJ: Obviously, corruption continues to be a problem, not only in Washington but also in Albany. It’s a sad commentary when 30 elected officials, state elected officials, have been convicted over the past decade. What we need to do is root out corruption and restore public confidence in integrity and public confidence in government, period. Be it in Washington, Albany or City Hall. So, it’s important that the attorney general be an independent check on state government and that we leverage the powers both civilly and criminally to root out corruption wherever we find it. So, wherever the facts and evidence lead me, we will not hesitate, working with the comptroller’s office, working with district attorneys, to prosecute either civilly and/
or criminally individuals who betray the public trust. And that is critically important to me, because I entered public service years ago because I thought it was an honorable profession and because it’s transformed my life. And I have an obligation and duty to transform the lives of others and that’s why I’ve committed myself to public service in the government. And will also urge the state legislature to give me original jurisdiction over corruption in the State of New York. OTP: What does “Original Jurisdiction” mean? LJ: As opposed to asking the Governor of the State of New York to refer and to allow me to initiate another Moreland Commission if you will, I would like to do it independent of the governor. It’s an inherent conflict of interest for the governor to have the ability to refer investigations to the Office of the Attorney General. The attorney general should be able to do it on their own. They should have the ability to convene a commission on their own without seeking referral from the Governor of the State of New York as was done with the Moreland Commission. OTP: So, the attorney general would actually convene the commission. LJ: Yes, the attorney general, assuming the legislature gives me that power; the attorney general would have original
jurisdiction, as opposed to the governor. OTP: I had not heard that before, thank you. LJ: Yes. OTP: As you go around the state, what do you see as the greatest challenges, should you assume the office? LJ: Right now, everyone is focused on the president. And we will continue the investigations now under the leadership of Barbara Underwood, the current attorney general. We will continue to investigate his business transactions and holdings. We will also focus on corruption wherever we find it, whether on the federal, state or local level. I’ve been to Buffalo, where we’ve got lead poisoning and high asthma rates, as we do here in Brooklyn. I’ve been to Newburgh, where individuals are dealing with water and soil that need remediation. And the federal EPA is unfortunately closed for business. They are not enforcing the Clean Air Act or the Clean Water Act so we can protect our environment. In Long Island, where they are dumping. There’s Dix Hills. So, there are environmental justice issues. I’ve been to Albany where 8 young Black men have been murdered. So, we need to again take on the NRA, which holds itself out as a charitable organization. But, in fact, they are not. They are nothing more than a criminal enterprise. We are waiting to take on all of the banks that finance them, their investors.
Consumer fraud is a major issue all over the State of New York. We have to stand up for immigrants who are afraid of ICE. Who are afraid of going into courthouses because they are afraid of being detained by ICE. Immigrants who are seeking justice and cooperating with the district attorney’s office and/or seeking “orders of protection.” We need to stand up for reproductive rights and women’s rights. Women who are paid less than men for doing the same job. Women who are discriminated against simply because they want to have children. We need to defend “Net neutrality” for many tech companies that exist in Brooklyn and all the start-up companies and freelancers. We need to make sure we codify Roe v. Wade, and last but not least, foreclosures and zombie houses. We need to go after the banks who charge outrageous interest rates and who saddle homeowners and young people with debt at a time when wages are stagnant and individuals are having a hard time making ends meet. OTP: That’s it for me. Anything you’d like to add? LJ: Only that I look forward to serving as the next attorney general and continue to make history; we’ve done it before and we’ll do it again and what moves me each and every day is my commitment to justice. And what we need now, more than ever, is someone who understands that. Thank you for the interview.
VOL. 22 NO. 34
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NEW BUSINESS FORMATIONS 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. 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
LEGAL NOTICES SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF KINGS INDEX NO. 501561/2018 Plaintiff designates KINGS as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Mortgaged Premises: 103 A COOPER STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11207 District: Section: Block: 3434 Lot: 62 CIT BANK, N.A., Plaintiff ,vs. MAURY M. RICHARDSON, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PEGGY A. RICHARDSON; CASSANDRA RICHARDSON, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PEGGY A. RICHARDSON; ANGELA GAYDEN, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PEGGY A. RICHARDSON; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF PEGGY A. RICHARDSON; any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; ‘’JOHN DOE #1’’ through ‘’JOHN DOE #12,’’ the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.___ To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within 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 $544,185.00 and
interest, recorded on February 23, 2006, at Liber 2006000104378 Page , of the Public Records of KINGS County, New York, covering premises known as 103 A COOPER STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11207. 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. 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. RAS BORISKIN, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff BY: DANIEL GREENBAUM, ESQ. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 106 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC AUCTION Supreme Court of New York, KINGS County. SRMOF II 2012-1 TRUST, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, -against- CLEO CHARLESPHILLIPS; ROBERT PHILLIPS; CITY OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; CITY OF NEW YORK TRANSIT AUTHORITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION & FINANCE; SOPHIA JOHNSON, Index No. 2713/2013. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated, February 21, 2017 and entered with the Kings County Clerk on April 6, 2017, Gregory M. Laspina, Esq., the Appointed Referee, will sell the premises known as 553 Lenox Road, Brooklyn, New York 11203 at public auction at Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Room 224, Brooklyn, New York 11201, on October 11, 2017 at 2:30 P.M. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings and State of New York known as Block: 4845; Lot: 28 will be sold subject to the provisions of filed Judgment, Index No. 2713/2013. The approximate amount of judgment is $1,047,226.32 plus interest and costs. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO LLP 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, FOR NEW CENTURY HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2006-2, Plaintiff, vs. JOYCE SMITH, ET
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 AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly filed on April 20, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, Room 224, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on October 11, 2018 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 388 Christopher Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. 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 3811 and Lot 128. Approximate amount of judgment is $494,049.57 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 7527/12. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. Dana L. Jenkins, Esq., Referee Peter T. Roach & Associates, P.C., 6901 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 240, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County Of Kings MIDFIRST BANK, Plaintiff AGAINST TANYA T. BROWN, DELORES BROWN, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 7/3/2014 and entered on 7/14/2014, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on September 27, 2018 at 02:30 PM premises known as 849 Madison Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Kings, City and State of New York, BLOCK: 1481, LOT: 52. Approximate amount of judgment is $399,821.50 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 24545/08. Jeffrey R. Miller, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706 NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County Of Kings Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Successor by Merger to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Chaudry Riasat Ali, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 8/17/2017 and entered on 10/12/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on September 27, 2018 at 02:30 PM premises known as 845 Bay Ridge Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Kings, City and State of New York, BLOCK: 5770, LOT: 60. Approximate amount of judgment is $639,510.92 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 21273/2009. Steven H Richman, Esq., Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF
VOL. 22 NO. 36 to: Cultivate Fit & Well, LLC, 654 St. Marks Ave., Apt. 2D, Brooklyn, NY 11216. Purpose: To engage in any and all business activities. 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. NEW YORK - COUNTY OF KINGS U.S. BANK N.A. AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE ACQUISITION CORP. 2006-FRE2 ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-FRE2, V. GILBERT MOORE JR; ET. AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated May 08, 2018, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Kings, wherein U.S. BANK N.A. AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE ACQUISITION CORP. 2006FRE2 ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-FRE2 is the Plaintiff and GILBERT MOORE JR; ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the KINGS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 360 ADAMS STREET, ROOM 224, BROOKLYN, NY 11201, on October 4, 2018 at 2:30PM, premises known as 511 HEMLOCK STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11208: Block 4217, Lot 13: 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 Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 515120/2015. Steven Z. Naiman, Esq. Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS HSBC Bank USA, National Association as Trustee for Nomura Asset Acceptance Corporation, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1, Plaintiff AGAINST Luan Dzafa; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated November 24, 2014 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Room 224, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on September 27, 2018 at 2:30PM, premises known as 18 Brighton 4th Terrace, Brooklyn, NY 11235. 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: 7262 Lot: 30. Approximate amount of judgment $788,195.69 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 2136/2013. Steven Cohn, Esq., Referee Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 759-1835 Dated: August 3, 2018 56530 NOTICE OF SALESUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST Anasha Howard and Samuel Howard, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated November 30, 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 27, 2018 at 2:30PM, ➔➔ Continued on page 17
VOL. 22 NO. 34
LEGAL NOTICES ➔➔ Continued from page 16 premises known as 432 EAST 48TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11203. 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 4695, LOT 13. Approximate amount of judgment $322,559.41 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment for Index# 2600/2010. Mark A. Longo, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 56751 NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County Of Kings U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for the Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust, 2006-3, Plaintiff AGAINST Cecilia Boodhoo, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 11/7/2014 and entered on 11/12/2014, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on September 27, 2018 at 02:30 PM premises known as 293 Schenck Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Kings, City and State of New York, BLOCK: 3996, LOT: 104. Approximate amount of judgment is $793,304.94 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 4390/08. Steve Cohn, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County Of Kings U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for the Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust, 2006-3, Plaintiff AGAINST Cecilia Boodhoo, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 11/7/2014 and entered on 11/12/2014, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on September 27, 2018 at 02:30 PM premises known as 293 Schenck Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Kings, City and State of New York, BLOCK: 3996, LOT: 104. Approximate amount of judgment is $793,304.94 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 4390/08. Steve Cohn, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706 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
17
OUR TIME PRESS Septmber 6 – 12, 2018 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 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: (518) 786-9069 57030 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 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, ➔➔ Continued on page 18
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OUR TIME PRESS Septmber 6 – 12, 2018
VOL. 22 NO. 36
O.T. Wells, Renowned Civil Rights Attorney and Watergate Advisor, has Died
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Public Memorial on Saturday, September 22 at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem
ew York, NY (August 31, 2018)Ozro Thaddeus (O.T.) Wyoming Wells, Esq., 87, former president of the National Bar Association and recognized as one of America’s leading civil rights and defense lawyers, died on August 25th of natural causes. Renowned as O.T. Wells, his landmark legal career spanned roles as a civil rights sit-in attorney, Richard Nixon military delegate, Watergate advisor, Harlem gangster «Bumpy» Elsworth Johnson’s attorney, Miles Davis’ counselor, member of H. Rap Brown’s legal team, legal advocate for Black military personnel in Germany, and the official legal representative for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Wells grew up in North Carolina during the Jim Crow era, the son of Mary E. Wells and Bishop Wyoming Wells, an original member of the General Board of the Church of God in Christ. He earned a BA from Morehouse College in 1953 and a law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1956. After law school, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, then moved to New York City to embark upon his trailblazing career. By 1959, he co-founded Chance, Mitchell & Wells with William C. Chance, Jr. and Nathan Mitchell. It was one of the first minority law firms in lower Manhattan to focus on criminal defense work. In 1962, he joined with colleagues to form Wells, Brown, Mason, Burns & Hall, one of the largest African-American law firms in New York handling criminal defense, personal injury, civil rights and a variety of other legal services. At the height of the Civil Rights era, Wells was co-counsel, along with Attorneys Percy Sutton and Mark Lane, in the first sit-in cases, which strangely enough, occurred in New York City. His list of clients included notorious Harlem crime bosses Elsworth “Bumpy”
Johnson and “Red” Dillard Morrison; the “Five Percenters” splinter group of the Black Muslims; William Kunstler’s legal team for H. Rap Brown’s Manhattan shooting case; and various attorneys, judges and elected officials. From the 1960s through the 1980s, he represented one of the country’s leading civil rights organizations, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and its president, Roy Innis. During the 1970s, Wells was pressed into service for the Department of Defense by President Richard Nixon. “Operation Awareness” sent Wells to Germany with a delegation of three attorneys on a fact-finding mission with a mandate to investigate problems between Black United States military personnel and German nationals. President Nixon’s appointment gave a temporary GS rating to Wells’ equivalent to a Major General. While president of the National Bar Association during the turbulent Watergate era, he served as one of Attorney General Elliot Richardson’s five-man advisory group for the selection of the first Watergate Prosecutor, Archibald Cox. “O.T. Wells was the consummate leader, advocate and trial lawyer. He possessed the bona fides —wit, humor, intelligence, knowledge and oration—to have every lawyer who crossed his path want to emulate some aspect of his being,” said Joseph Drayton, president of the National Bar Association. “As an active past president for five decades, O.T. Wells groomed our leaders and our lawyers to be our best in service to our clients and community. His impact on the National Bar Association, its leaders and members is unprecedented and unparalleled and will last for quite some time.” Sadly, Wells died just two weeks after attending the National Bar Association’s Convention in New Orleans. His legacy continues as a former national president of the National Association of Guardsmen, a
Queen’s House
➔➔ Continued from page 9
you are out of line. If throwing shade at a dead woman wasn’t enough, Jasper decided to shade an entire movement when he said, “Black lives must not matter until Black people start respecting Black lives and stop killing ourselves.” The comment lacked intellectual depth or sensitivity, and it also showed a lack of awareness for where he was and what he was doing. You’re at the funeral of Aretha Franklin talking about Black lives won’t matter until Black people
LEGAL NOTICES ➔➔ Continued from page 17 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 SUPREME COURT – COUNTY
stop killing each other? Jasper, have you lost your mind? This week saw both men taken to task for their actions. The so-called bishop apologized for his actions, claiming that he didn’t realize how far up his hand was and admitting that he might have “crossed some borders,” which kinda sounded like part two of the Taco Bell joke. He seems to be used to apologizing for things like this. But even as Charles Ellis was giving a packaged apology, good ole Jasper doubled down on his rhetoric. On Labor Day, 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 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
social group; a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; and a founding member of the National Negro Golf Association, the oldest African-American golf association in the world. Instead of retiring, Wells served “of Counsel” to the prestigious Manhattan law firm Donaldson & Chilliest. He was a member of the bars of the State of New York, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Fifth Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. For the last 18 years, he served as a guest faculty member in the Trial Advocacy Program for the New York County District Attorney at the request of past District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and current District Attorney Cyrus Vance. In recent years, Wells was the lead trial attorney for the historical litigation to resolve the leadership of The Church of God in Christ, the largest African-American Pentecostal denomination in the world. He was instrumental in setting up the first constitutional convention for the church, which resulted in the establishment of the General Board and Presiding Bishop. Wells served as General Counsel for the church, to the Presiding Bishop and the General Board of the Church of God in Christ. Beyond his legal stature, Wells was well-known in social circles throughout the country and around the globe. His talent for cooking and reputation as a raconteur buttressed his love of entertaining. His parties were legendary. “O.T. was generous and hospitable,” remarked his sister, Claudia. “He was a soul food chef of distinction who would prepare delicacies to watch you eat them. ‘Is it good?’ he would ask. And you’d better say, ‘Yes.’” Wells loved to laugh and could spin stories —more often than not, true— that
would continue to evoke laughter years later when remembered. He was known to give nicknames that stuck so well people were often unrecognizable by their given names. He never met a stranger, he simply made new friends. His family and friends seemed engaged in a perpetual game of six degrees of separation as they moved through life meeting people who knew or knew of O.T., and everyone had a story to share involving his legal prowess, his hospitality or his larger-than-life adventures. “My father was a giant among men. He loved his community,” said his son, O.T. Wells II. “He was ardent in his pursuit of justice and had an unwavering love for his family and friends. Our hearts are heavy, but our memories of him are joyful. The legacy he has left is one of which we are proud.” Wells is survived by his one true love and former wife, Jean Nash Wells of East Orange, NJ; four children: O.T. II (Angela) of Washington, DC; Roland Witter of Atlanta, GA; Rachel Manns (Corey) of Tucson, AZ; and Tandi Laguerre (Ronald) of Boston, MA; three grandchildren: Ghage, Autumn and Nazir; siblings: Claudia Wells Hamilton (Ed) of Novi, MI; Deola Wells Johnson of Memphis TN; and Lucian Wells of Greensboro, NC; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and people upon whom he left his indelible mark. A memorial service in celebration of Mr. Wells’ life will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 22 at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 West 138th Street, Harlem, NY.
the Franklin family released a statement calling Jasper’s comments “offensive” and “distasteful.” Instead of copping to a lesser charge, Jasper went on record as standing by his statements, which proves that toxic masculinity isn’t a surface-level disease. It’s terminal, and many of us have it our whole lives and eventually die with it. One of the biggest issues that the younger generation has with the Black church is that they can see through a lot of the dogma and maxims and they don’t see any truthful reconciliation on the other side. You can pontificate on the story of David and Goliath for an entire summer Sunday but
if you can’t show through your own ways and actions the respect and the love that you preach about on the pulpit, millennials will see right through you. Your sleight of hand won’t work on them. As long as men like Ellis and Williams represent the Black church on a public stage, the next generation will find no reason at all to be a part of something so judgmental and predatory. And they shouldn’t, because men like that are counterproductive to our growth and development as a community, as a race and as a nation. I know for a fact if Queen Aretha was sitting in the pews, she would’ve been offended by their actions. Shame on them.
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
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.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF KINGS, AJ PARTNERS, LLC, PLAIN T IFF, against, SUZIE BLACKSTOCK, et al., DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and
O.T. Wells
VOL. 22 NO. 34
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OUR TIME PRESS Septmber 6 – 12, 2018
Summer on the Hudson
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■■ By Jasanah Cruel
ig boats, little boat, tug boats and motor boats. Up and down the Hudson, I see you everyday. You wave and blow your horns as I wave to you and that makes my day. Big deer, little deer and groundhogs, I see you when I walk the bike path with my
mom and brother. You are not scared you let me look at you and not run away. I just want to pet you. We go to the Locks and watch the big boats, little boats, tug boats and motor boats go on their way to whereever they are going. I love living near the Hudson. So much to see and do. It’s in my backyard. There’s no better place I would rather be.
West Indian Labor Day Parade
Photo: Nathaniel Adams
Photo: Jodi Stariknok
Jasanah, age 9, summer 2018
Photo: Nathaniel Adams
Jets/Giants Preview
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By Eddie Castro
A
round this time last year, I had written a piece about what the 2017-18 New York football teams will look like. The Giants were expected to make some serious noise in the NFC, but key injuries suffered to both the offense and defense made it a very long season. In fact, the team just won 2 games and benched starting quarterback Eli Manning for the final two games. Meanwhile, the Jets, who were expected to have a rough 2017-18 campaign ended up winning an impressive 5 games with a very inexperienced roster. One year later, as far as the expectations go for both teams for the 2018-19 season, the projections are slightly different between the Jets and Giants. For “Big Blue,” the team will have star
receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. back after he signed a new 5-year extension, making him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. Not to mention the team added another offensive weapon in drafting Penn State’s Saquon Barkley. Quarterback Eli Manning did take a beating filled with sacks. To assure the 37-year-old QB will take less shots from opposing defenses, the team upgraded their offensive line by adding former Super Bowl champion offensive tackle Nate Solder. Solder will go from protecting one Super Bowl-winning quarterback (Tom Brady) to another (Manning). A refreshed Manning and offense should help the Giants break through this year (regarding any injuries) and compete for the NFC East crown, which was won by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. As for the New York Jets, it’s always quite a difficult topic of conversation to have when talking about the Jets winning the AFC East when you are in the same division as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The team ended last season on a good note and showed some “true grit” down the stretch and perhaps saving Head Coach Todd Bowles’ job.
The team has had a few swings and misses when it comes to securing a franchise quarterback but “Gang Green” hopes they have struck gold when the Jets drafted USC’s Sam Darnold. Now you would think why draft another California quarterback to come play in New York where, in December, the weather can get as frigid as a polar bear’s toenail. Have we not seen this scenario before? (Mark Sanchez was drafted out of USC by the Jets in 2009) However, Darnold is built quite different than Sanchez. He has a bigger arm and throws the ball with more accuracy. He also moves quite well in moving out of the pocket and extending plays. Although his last year in college he threw a lot of interceptions. With that said, it will take some time for Darnold to get a hang of the NFL’s pace. The organization thinks he’s ready to play now, naming him the starting quarterback for Week 1 when the Jets head to Detroit to play the Lions this Monday night. There has been mixed emotions about coach Bowles going with Darnold over an experienced veteran quarterback in Josh McCown. I guess the Jets hope that Darnold can be the Cinderella story
that quarterback Carson Wentz was for the Eagles last year. Nevertheless, coach Bowles feels like Darnold impressed him enough with his play in the preseason to give the Jets the “best chance to win.” It should be an exciting football season for both New York teams. Both teams will be playing with huge chips on their shoulders. This could very well be “the year” for New York football. One team having revamped in hopes of making a strong playoff push (Giants), the other team is hoping they have a franchise quarterback that will lead them to much success towards the present and future! Sports Notes: (Baseball) After a hot start towards the end of July into the middle of August, the Yankees have struggled often of late. The team is in the beginning of a 9-game road trip which will define who they will play and if they will host the onegame win or go home American League Wild Card game. What do Jets fans think about the Jets starting rookie Sam Darnold? Is it the right time for throwing him to the “Wolves.” Well, in this case, the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. E-mail me at Castroeddie714@gmail.com.
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OUR TIME PRESS Septmber 6 – 12, 2018
VOL. 22 NO. 36
Randy Weston Honored
Photo: Winston Wharton
Kim Weston, foreground right, with Sista's Place family. ➔➔ Continued from page 10
Aretha Franklin recorded her first album Aretha with The Ray Bryant Combo for Columbia Records at age 18 in 1960 -- one year after writer Abigail McGrath met her. The album was released in 1961 as the singer was turning 19. The album cover reads: “A magnetic new artist… saucy, teasing … rocking, shouting … she doesn’t knock at the door – she breaks it down!”
My Aretha Moment, 1959
I
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By Abigail McGrath
n 1959, I was a student at Bard College. My boyfriend Lenny and I ran away to Detroit to get married because my mother was afraid we might be sleeping together. In those days, there was no such thing as premarital sex for “good” girls like myself--one bought a pig in a poke and you stuck with it no matter how distasteful it may turn out to be. My unwitting father drove us. He thought we were going to be interviewed for jobs in a summer stock company. While we were there, Lenny and I went to a nightclub. I don’t know why, but they sat us at the VIP table. Maybe it was because Lenny was white and nobody else was. He looked like Dr. Livingston in a pith helmet with no presumptions. Nobody at the table introduced themselves. So, since I had been to Europe and since these were obviously working-class people, I took it upon myself to show them East Coast etiquette. I stood up, stuck out my hand and shook each and every person’s hand while giving them mine. I thought that was a gentle way of getting their names. “Hello, I’m Abigail Hubbell, how do you do?” Only one person gave his name back, “How do you do, I'm Emmel, Emmel King.” Soon, a young lady came on to sing. The child was so plain it was pitiful. That was before she opened her mouth. Once she started to sing, it was like love and pain and goodness and authenticity and butterflies came out of her mouth. I got so excited that I stood on my chair and started to whistle (I am from Brooklyn, after all). There was no applause, just screaming, stomping and whistling. By the time she finished singing, she was the most beautiful person in the world. After it was over, the men started to talk: “... talking about Black power only separates us more,” said a man they called Dr. Franklin. “I heard Malcolm talk in New York City and was standing as close to him as you and I are right now,” said Lenny. “I knew Malcolm, he was a good man.” said Emmel. Lenny, whose parents were commies, continued: “Well, what he said was, you’ll
get your freedom but you gotta let your enemy know that you will do anything to get it, anything.” “That’s a little seditious, don’t you think? There are other ways,” said Emmel. “Not according to Brother Malcolm. Said Lenny, “If you’re effective, they will call you an extremist or a subversive or a red or a radical. It is only when you stay radical long enough or get enough people to join you, that you will get your freedom” “I don’t want to be no damn radical,” said Dr. Franklin. “I just want to be able to support my family and this recession hits the Negro far deeper than the white man. The Negro has to have two or three jobs just to try to stay even, plus his wife has to work. I don’t want to be a sellout, but if I had some out, I would sell it. Ha, ha, ha.” “That is exactly how I feel about the singer tonight,” I said, trying to butt in on the “man talk” and let everyone see how smart I was. “Oh?” “Yes, she was a wonderful singer, but at what cost? Basically, she was singing Gospel. Tricked-out Gospel and that is how tragic the Negro’s position has become. We have to sell out our sacred music in order to survive.” “Young lady, that is exactly how I feel,” said Dr. Franklin. Lenny kept pinching me under the table, but I thought he was flirting so I put my hand on top of his. “She should be ashamed of herself, shaking her behind like that.” At that moment, the young singer was at the table. “Hi daddy.” Dr. Franklin said: “Allow me to introduce my daughter, Aretha.” This is my kinda, sorta, recollection of our meeting. A few years later in June of 1963, he and Dr. M.L. King lead a freedom march down Woodward Ave. in Detroit. This march preceded the March on Washington, which was held that August. Franklin was shot in 1979 in what police said was a robbery gone bad. ...I forgot to say that Emmel turned out to be Dr. M. L. King (who knew?)
Seated in front of a tall oak mantle, the musicians orchestrated the afternoon, hitting perfect notes with stories about their lives and their love for the music, fielding questions and pitching their own. Mr. Weston returned often to his roots -- his father, his mother, the training he received, and the home his parents purchased in 1946 on Lafayette Avenue, and so it was fitting that great food was cooking in the host’s kitchen. The appetizers prepared by chef Pierre Thiam were superb. And he was greeted with a round of applause when he emerged from the kitchen. Randy was beaming, holding court in a big chair by the fireplace and surveying the fertile landscape of great minds, talents and hearts. He rose and went up to greet each person and made his appreciation known to the kitchen crew. It was palpable in our home just how much he was valued, and he was nourished by it. The music masters talked about classical blues, traversing the world from Brooklyn to Africa to their hometowns of Brooklyn & Houston, and back. It still flows through the arterial connection of our home and distinct heritages. As Harper said, it’s in the DNA, in the atmosphere. Just waiting to be sounded out. Gnawan musicians, introduced by Mr. Weston, performed sensational music cross-legged on the floor. Their playing never clashing with the soft sounds of The Roots of the Blues CD in the background. It was more than a memorable experience. It was like opening the door to all the music, the classics of the cultures, that ever was. It was like being in the presence of all the musicians of the Diaspora that ever existed. When Candido, the great Cuban-born percussionist– one of the first to use congas in jazz music—first walked through that basement gate, we were opening the door for our return to childhood jazz-based roots. Everyone the master percussionist had ever performed with: Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton, Billy Taylor, Babatunde Olatunji, Machito,
Photo: Winston Wharton
Randy and Ollie McClean
Photo of Chester Higgins, Jr. By Winston Wharton
Fatoumata Mbengue-Weston Gene Ammons and so many more with whom he walked when they lived, entered in spirit with him. I was reminded that the Sunday celebration marked the 40th Anniversary year of Candido performing with Weston on the album Tanjah. The two musicians, great friends, first recorded together on Randy’s 1960 groundbreaking Uhuru Afrika classic album. The soundtrack of The Roots of the Blues played throughout the afternoon and the conversations conjured the spirits of Billie Holiday and Mahalia Jackson – the only two women singers who brought Randy to tears. Guests communed in the presence of the likes of the late scholar and jazz aficionado William Mackey as well as the hosts’ own ancestors -- with images, notes, diaries, journals, mementos scattered in corners of the parlor, on the piano and in “Pierre’s kitchen” when he used certain utensils. Only thing missing were the children, peeking from the bannisters, in awe of grown people grooving and the presence of something colorful, great and grand, something for them to tell, to read, to sing. And to pass on. But author Carol Friedman remembered them, leaving on the piano two gifts in her Nicky the Jazz Cat series. From beginning to end, four hours later, too cool and kind of blue, it was: all that jazz and classic blues, African food fragrances, good words and vibes. And pride.