LOCAL FOOD DESERT DEEPENS
By Shannon Yvonne Moreau
With last year’s closing of the Walmart on San Mateo Blvd. and Zuni Rd., access to fresh, affordable foods has become even sparser in the neighborhood. The old John Brooks Food Town and farmers’ markets at Caravan East (now a library!) are remnants of a bygone era. Albuquerque’s International District is becoming a food desert.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines a food desert as a low-income community lacking stores that sell healthy and affordable food. A significant chunk of the International District (Zuni from Louisiana to Wyoming) was categorized as a food desert by the USDA in 2019. With recent supermarket closings, this condition is spreading and worsening. The loss of sources for healthy food is a blow to a neighborhood already plagued by challenges such as lack of housing and access to medical care.
The need for fresh food is why farmers’ market manager Carlos Flores decided to bring his farm-grown produce to the neighborhood. Flores and his partner, Cesar Gonzalez, started the Mesa Verde Community Growers Market in the International District. Located at the Mesa Verde Community Center park on Marquette Ave. and Tennessee St. (nearest major cross streets Copper and Lomas), the market enters its third year of operation this summer.
“The key to health is good nutrition,” says Flores. “Fresh fruit and vegetables are a huge part of that.”
The Mesa Verde market is a small operation, running from August to the beginning of October. Flores and Gonzalez are farmers, co-managers of the growers market, members of the New Mexico Farmers Market Association, and both have other lines of work. Flores is a musician in Latin folk music band Mezcla Latina and a counselor and Gonzalez is a Community Health Worker at
THE KEY TO HEALTH IS GOOD NUTRITION. FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES ARE A HUGE PART OF THAT.
CARLOS FLORES •
UNM. Between the two of them, they bring fresh, pesticide-free, and reasonably priced garden vegetables and fruits to market. A third vendor, Rommy Joyce, sells fresh-baked bread and pastries as well as eggs from the family poultry farm. (There’s nothing like farm-fresh eggs!)
Flores and Gonzalez have future plans for the Mesa Verde market. They’d like to bring in more farmers and vendors, which has proved to be a challenge. “A lot of the farmers are established and they have one market. And being a farmer, I understand how much work it is to try it at another market space,” Flores says. They’d also like to set up a space where seniors can get help applying for food assistance programs on site.
Fill your shopping bags with farm fresh produce at the Mesa Verde market starting in August.
MESA VERDE COMMUNITY GROWERS MARKET
7900 Marquette Ave. SE, 87108
Parking lot of Mesa Verde Community Center and Park
Saturday, August 24 through Saturday, October 5, 2024 • 11am to 2pm
Payment methods accepted: SNAP, EBT, Double Up Bucks, WIC, cash, debit card, credit card
If you’re interested in being a vendor at the market, contact Carlos Flores at carlosmezcla@gmail.com or 505-804-1411.
OTHER FARMERS MARKETS IN ALBUQUERQUE
Rail Yards Market: 777 1st St. SW Albuquerque 87102
Downtown Growers Market: 810 Copper Ave. NW Albuquerque 87102
Los Ranchos Growers’ Market: 6718 Rio Grande Blvd. NW Los Ranchos 87107
South Valley Growers’ Market: 3907 Isleta Blvd. SW Albuquerque 87105
Mesa Verde Growers Market on FB
CC by Pixabay via Pexels
UpLift Chronicles’ mission is to provide essential information and perspectives, amplify Black and multicultural voices and narratives, and empower connection and engagement among BIPOC affinity groups in New Mexico. Founded in August 2022, print and digital monthly newspaper UpLift Chronicles enhances the visibility of Black people, businesses, nonprofits, civic leaders, and issues within New Mexico’s prevailing news ecosystem while actively pushing back against the state’s tricultural myth.
Inspired by a wide swath of Black media in America, UpLift Chronicles follows in the footsteps of Black media ranging from Antebellum Southera newspapers Freedom’s Journal and The North Star through publications of the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement to contemporary outlets like Ebony, Jet and TheGrio. In addition to news and culture coverage that intersects with New Mexico Black Leadership Council’s areas of impact—cultural vibrancy; advocacy and civic engagement; physical, mental, and financial health and wellness; workforce and leadership development; and positive youth development—UpLift Chronicles’ mission includes shedding light on longstanding, ongoing inequities; elevating discourse on equity, race, and justice in the American Southwest; and promoting true multiculturalism by sharing stories from our local communities.
Our overarching vision is to establish UpLift Chronicles as a trusted source of news and arts and culture coverage for New Mexico’s Black community
and allied individuals and organizations throughout the state and region. Check out and bookmark our publication’s new, dedicated website: www.upliftnewmexico.org. Email UpLift Chronicles at info@nmblc.org. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter on our website or at bit.ly/signuplift. Express interest in joining our community advisory board at bit.ly/upliftedboard.
JOIN UPLIFT CHRONICLES’ EDITORIAL BOARD
FOR THE CULTURE: BLACK ARTS HUB CALLS ON COMMUNITY
By Shannon Yvonne Moreau
Since 2007, the African American Performing Arts Center (AAPAC) has been a cultural fixture on the corner of Copper and San Pedro. Constructed as part of Expo New Mexico from legislative funding secured by former Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton and late Governor Bill Richardson, the sleek, airy, colorful space in the heart of Albuquerque’s International District has hosted many arts and educational events over the years.
Now AAPAC, the only space of its kind in the Southwest, is in danger of being shut down. AAPAC’s leadership received notice that the New Mexico Department of Finance (NMDFA) is cutting funding for all administrative and programmatic contracts at AAPAC effective immediately. This decision pretty much puts an end to events the AAPAC board had planned for the rest of year, unless the foundation can raise the money pronto.
This isn’t the first time AAPAC’s existence has been jeopardized. Since 2011, with the election of Susanna Martinez as governor, AAPAC has withstood funding cuts in conjunction with superimposed fees. AAPAC’s focus shifted to renting the facility, says Secretary-Treasurer Donna Owens. “But renting is not what this place was set up to do,” says former AAPAC president Tracey Whitney. “It’s to bring African American performing arts for our community and the greater community at large.”
State funding kicked in for AAPAC again around three years ago, during Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s first term. The new board was excited about their plans for the coming year. Highlights included the Afriquerque live music series, a local independent filmmakers showcase, and a free summer program for kids.
Then came the letter from NMDFA in late April 2024. That letter states that Section 4 of the General Appropriations Act pertaining to the State Fair is earmarked for building operations only. Additionally, for the state to give money to a corporation (which includes AAPAC’s 501(c)(3) status) is a violation of New Mexico’s 2022 Anti-Donation clause.
As of print time, AAPAC has secured money from the City of Albuquerque to cover its summer youth program. The July and August Afriquerque performances are being underwritten by Whitney. Everything else is up in the air.
Interim AAPAC Foundation President John Smith and Owens laid out a short-term plan for raising money: renting the facility, submitting grant applications, reaching out to state legislators, and recruiting for community donations, memberships, and sponsorships. The board figures they have a month to raise enough money to keep AAPAC from shutting down.
When asked what Albuquerque and the Black community would lose, Owens said, “The preservation of our arts. In other states, they’re trying to get rid of our history. [AAPAC] holds our history here.”
Interim AAPAC Foundation President John Smith says, “Imagine a 12-year-old walking into the AAPAC exhibit hall and looking at all of the Black art that they’ve never seen, not even on TV.”
Whitney explains how the planned film festival would give African American filmmakers in New Mexico exposure and validity: “We were looking at ‘how do we actually make a difference in the life of Black performers, writers, artists.’ ”
The Rodney Bowe Experience: Friday, July 12, 7pm Zenobia: Friday, August 9, 7pm Tickets are $25 each (includes parking) nmaapac.com/events
Become a member: nmaapac.com/membership
Donate: nmaapac.com/donate
Visit the AAPAC’s website: nmaapac.com
(L-R) AAPAC board members Donna Owens and John W. Smith
UPLIFTING WELLNESS:
ON PREVENTING MEASLES, PROTECTING AGAINST HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS AND PRACTICING SELF-CARE FOR OPTIMAL WELLNESS
By Samantha Anne Carrillo
MEASLES DIAGNOSED IN TAOS COUNT y CHILDREN
On May 31, the New Mexico Department of Health announced that two children in New Mexico had tested positive for measles. The state health department notes that these measles cases are the first two infections identified in New Mexico since 2021. According to the department, the affected children are both under 10 years of age, live in the same household in Taos County and recently returned from international travel. Measles, a.k.a. rubeola, is a highly contagious virus that can be prevented with timely vaccination.
According to the department, these local measles infections highlight how essential it is for New Mexicans of all ages to check their immunization records to ensure that they and their families are up to date on the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. One or more doses of MMR vaccine are recommended for preschool-aged children and adults who are not at high risk. Two MMR vaccine doses are recommended for school-aged children and adults at high risk, including healthcare workers, college students, and international travelers. Vaccines are available without charge for any child in New Mexico, regardless of insurance coverage, under the Vaccines for Children program. Children without insurance can receive the vaccine from their own health care provider or at their local public health office. Learn more at nmhealth.org.
STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUES HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS ADVISOR y
On June 12—eight days before summer’s official start—the New Mexico Department of Health issued an advisory about the rising prevalence of heat-related illness across the state as temperatures rose above 100 degrees throughout New Mexico. According to Dr. Miranda Durham, Chief Medical Officer for NMHealth, “We continue to see an increase in heat illnesses in New Mexico. Since April 1 there have been at least 224 heat-related visits to emergency departments around New Mexico. Protect yourself and others when it’s hot outside by staying cool, staying hydrated and knowing the symptoms.”
Symptoms of heat-related illness include: cold, pale and clammy skin; a fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache; fainting (passing out); and heavy sweating. Precautions that everyone—especially people at high risk, such as outdoor workers, young children and infants, adults over 65, people with chronic health conditions or without access to air conditioning—include: staying inside or in shade where possible; keeping shades drawn during the day; drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol; wearing lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing; scheduling outdoor activities for cooler times of day; pacing yourself; never leaving children or pets in the car; having a plan to get somewhere with air conditioning for older adults and people with medical needs; and helping people who have limited capacity understand how to avoid heat-related illness. Learn more at t.ly/rTd03.
PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE DURING BIPOC MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month so UpLift Chronicles reached out to Dr. Ndidiamaka Okpareke, PharmD, RPh, of Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy (1713 Wellspring Ave. SE, Ste. A, Rio Rancho) for tips on how to optimize mental health. According to Okpareke, the best healthy activities to support mental health are exercise and meditation. “Exercise is amazing for the body. It causes the brain to release the body’s own natural endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These chemicals mitigate stress and improve the sense of well-being.” Okpareke recommends resistance and weight training and meditation to control anxiety and enhance sleep balance.
A poor, unbalanced diet also contributes to mental health challenges. Okpareke said, “Processed and ultra-processed foods lack essential nutrients, and instead are full of chemicals that lead to metabolic disorders at the cellular level, which in turn, make it difficult for the brain and body to function properly.” Okpareke notes that vitamins and minerals can support mental wellness and she recommends pharmaceutical-grade Vitamin D, ashwagandha, Omega-3s, and probiotics. Okpareke says that she begins client evaluations by testing hormone levels for insight into clients’ health: “Many times, clients present with depression, immune dysfunction, and metabolic disorders, which all weigh heavy on their sense of well being and mental health.” Poor quality sleep can also trigger depression, anxiety, uncontrollable emotions, and an inability to make good decisions, according to Okpareke.
Additionally, Okpareke recommends positive lifestyle choices to improve mental health, such as eating nutrient-dense foods, doing weight bearing exercises 3 times per week, sleeping 8 hours per night, taking pharmaceutical-grade vitamins and supplements, balancing hormones as early as age 35, and practicing meditation, breathing, and relaxation techniques every morning. Learn more about Okpareke’s work and Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy by calling 505-738-3328 or visiting olivetreecompounding.com.
CC by Samson Katt via Pexels
A VIEW TOWARD UPLIFT EDITORIAL
KIDS COUNT DATA DROPS: NEW MEXICO STAYS LAST PLACE
School may be out for summer but the latest KIDS COUNT Data Book just dropped, and New Mexico’s child well-being and primary education rankings remain abysmal. The state scored 50th in the nation on both counts and the causes of these last-place New Mexican crises are interdependent. To enact meaningful, long-term improvements in our state’s educational outcomes, policy solutions must prioritize holistic wellness, empowering children as students while also supporting the overarching health of families and communities in New Mexico.
Published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the annual KIDS COUNT Data Book tracks overall child well-being by focusing on four areas: economic well-being; education; health; and family and community. This year’s Data Book highlights numerous challenges to New Mexico’s education system across multiple indicators. Understanding these challenges is crucial to the task of developing and instituting effective policies to improve our state’s educational outcomes and overall child well-being.
On both macro (statewide systems) and micro (individual student) levels, poverty and economic insecurity comprise major barriers to achieving educational success in New Mexico. Both historically and presently, New Mexico suffers one of the highest child poverty rates in the nation. The federal government’s pandemic-era expansion of the Child Tax Credit program significantly but temporarily reduced child poverty here and elsewhere, prompting incremental improvements to child well-being. That expansion broadened eligibility criteria and sent out monthly payments before sunsetting in 2021 due to the political failure of Pres. Biden’s Build Back Better initiative.
experiences may be deemed, the well-being and education of children and communities of color matters.
Alongside systemic underfunding, New Mexico’s educational system has failed to be adequately responsive to its multicultural, multilingual student body. This lack of culturally responsive education leaves students of color on a path toward lower educational outcomes. Echoed by the judicial ruling in the consolidated Martínez/Yazzie v. State of New Mexico lawsuit, the fact is that “no education system can be sufficient for the education of all children unless it is founded on the sound principle that every child can learn and succeed[.]”
According to KIDS COUNT Coordinator Emily Wildau,“New Mexico’s ranking in the education domain is heavily impacted by national standardized test scores, including fourth grade reading proficiency. Reading proficiency is critical for students to succeed academically and as adults. These scores do not reflect the ability of our children, but rather an education system that is not designed with our multicultural, multilingual students in mind.”
Disparities in child poverty rates remain stark in New Mexico, especially among children of color. Economic instability negatively impacts children’s ability to focus on education, as their families struggle to afford food and housing and access healthcare. Data Book reporting on the status of Black and Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian (AAPINH) children and parents in New Mexico is incomplete, with demographic data for these groups suppressed in a number of areas. Nationally, the percentage of African American / Black children living in poverty in 2022 was 30 percent.
One of UpLift Chronicles’ editorial mandates is pushing back against New Mexico’s tricultural myth—the false notion that our state’s Indigenous, Latine, and White populations exist in relative harmony—largely because this utopian, myopic fairytale ignores the lived experiences of Black and AAPINH children, families and communities. However statistically insignificant these
While formulaic suppression of data for Black and AAPINH children and families does a disservice to multicultural communities, the UpLift Chronicles Editorial Board agrees with many of KIDS COUNT’s recommended policy solutions, such as: providing
economic support via expansion of state-level tax credits like the Child Tax Credit and Working Families Tax Credit; making a significant, statewide investment in culturally and linguistically responsive instruction; increasing access to healthcare, including mental health services and support; strengthening community-based support systems, including community schools, to mitigate the impact of poverty and adverse childhood experiences; and diversifying New Mexico’s revenue sources while implementing progressive tax policies that increase contributions from corporations and high-income individuals to provide stable funding for essential services.
While the latest KIDS COUNT data provides limited representation for Black and AAPINH children in New Mexico, the Data Book nevertheless underscores the urgency of fostering an environment where the well-being and educational outcomes of all children count. If you’re waiting for a sign to manifest the political will to prioritize our state’s children and families, this is it. Explore the KIDS COUNT Data Book in an interactive format at www.aecf.org.
A View Toward UpLift reflects the opinions of the UpLift Chronicles Editorial Board. Our newspaper’s contributors hold diverse perspectives and viewpoints. This opinion column aims to discuss news and issues and pose questions that are relevant to local communities and our overarching readership.
CC by Andy Barbour via Pexels
ASK WHAT COMMUNIT y CENTERS CAN DO FOR yOU WHAT’S THE DEAL?
By Kristin Satterlee
Have you ever passed a community center or maybe voted at one, and wondered what else you can do at these places? Us, too. We’ve heard that they are important community resources, even “the heart of our community.” But what does that really mean? Is this a resource that can work for you and me? We set about finding out the answers to our most pressing questions.
What can you do at a community center?
All kinds of things! Centers host activities ranging from meditation to martial arts, ukulele to yoga, and from hiking and birdwatching to GED classes. Basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and other sports are common offerings. Some are voting centers. Community centers strive to be inclusive, so you may also find activities like wheelchair open gym and ESL classes. And they are air-conditioned, an important feature during the sizzling summer season.
Do they have programs for kids?
They do. Most community centers offer after-school programs, often including pickup from nearby schools. Many offer before-school and/or summer programs, too. These programs generally offer art, games, sports, and field trips. Demand is high, so a “lottery-style” method is used to select participants.
What facilities do community centers have?
This is a surprisingly hard question: Albuquerque has more than 20 community centers, and each is unique. In general, though, expect some combination of a gym/fitness room, computer lab, art/ceramics studio, kitchen, game room
with foosball or ping-pong tables, and multipurpose room for classes and meetings—including low-cost rentals for meetings and other events.They may also have outdoor facilities like sport courts, play equipment, and associated parks.
Who runs them?
Albuquerque’s community centers are run by the Community Recreation & Educational Initiatives (CREI) division of the Department of Youth & Family Services. But their offerings are definitely not just for youth. Community centers are run with the whole community in mind, from little kids to elders.
Are they the same as senior and multigenerational centers?
No. Albuquerque’s eight senior and multigenerational centers are run by the Department of Senior Affairs, and their services are focused toward seniors. Senior center facilities are available for folks 50 and up, though some programs are only available when you reach 60 years of age. Multigenerational centers also offer membership and summer programming for youth up to 17.
Where is the community center nearest me?
The city maintains a list and map of all its community centers at cabq.gov/family/crei/community-centers, so you can find the one most convenient for you. The page also includes a table showing which centers have which amenities. The internet can give you an overview, but once you’ve decided what center to try, it’s worth calling or dropping by to learn more about their specific offerings.
What does it cost?
It’s free! Just register for a no-cost membership. (There is a $10 one-time fee for youth programs.) At that price, it’s definitely worth exploring how your local community center can enrich your life.
ABQ Community Centers
TURNIN’ UP SUMMER: NEW MEXICO’S OUTDOOR PARTY SCENE REPS VIBES & VIEWS
By Kristin Satterlee
Summer is here, with days so hot and bright they’ll scorch your eyeballs. But in the high desert, when the sun goes down, the mercury falls—and then it’s time to get outside and enjoy the gorgeous, sultry evenings. We’ve pulled together a few premier opportunities to get your summertime nightlife started.
MUSIC & MOVIES
Albuquerque Summerfest
The City of Albuquerque’s recurring (free!) summer party and music series is back! At Route 66 Summerfest (t.ly/S4Xcf) on July 20, food trucks, kids’ activities, adult beverages, vendors, and music will keep you entertained along a mile of Central Avenue through Nob Hill. Westside Summerfest (t.ly/qC1fq) follows on Aug. 3, at Ventana Ranch Community Park.
Music Under the Stars
This series at the Albuquerque Museum is now in its 33rd year! It features salsa, jazz, blues, and more from 7-10pm. Ticket prices vary, but are usually $20 or $25. Don’t miss the popular Ladies Sing the Blues show on Aug. 3! Tickets sell out fast, so check out the lineup at nmjazz.org/catch-a-show to get yours while you can.
BioPark Concerts—Zoo
Music and Garden Music
Spread a blanket on the lawn and chill to great music! The BioPark series features musical groups in styles ranging from Latin pop through jazz and R&B to reggae and rock. The botanical garden features local talent on Thursdays, while the zoo brings in national touring groups on Fridays. Check t.ly/03fER for a schedule and ticket prices.
Santa Fe’s Summer Scene
A gem! Santa Fe’s Summer Scene features tons of music and movies at the Railyards and Santa Fe Plaza throughout July and August. Check out La Dame Blanche, The Muppet Movie, Sir Woman, Fantastic Negrito, and much more—all for free! See t.ly/GbGSu for a full lineup.
PART y PATIOS
Nexus Blue Smokehouse
You may know Nexus Blue (1511 Broadway Blvd. SE) has some of the best ’cue in the Q, but did you know the building boasts a beautiful patio in back and even a small lawn? Stop in for a brew and some barbecue— and if you’re lucky, you might hear some live music, too.
Sixty-Six Acres
Across from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Sixty-Six Acres (2400 12th St. NW) boasts a big, pet-friendly patio and a daily happy hour, and supports local craft brewers and distillers.
Sawmill Market
The cavernous food hall at Sawmill Market (1909 Bellamah Ave. NW) caters to a kaleidoscope of tastes, from burgers to gyros to poke bowls and New Mexican food—plus stops for beer, cocktails, and dessert! Bring the whole crew to eat and hang out in the huge courtyard. There’s even entertainment on select nights.
Vara Winery Balloon Fiesta Park Tasting Room
At Vara Winery & Distillery’s Tasting Room at Balloon Fiesta Park (315 Alameda Blvd. NW), bring your own food or order locally made snacks as you hang out on Vara’s new lawn space and enjoy a craft cocktail or a glass of wine.
PROTECT YOURSELF THIS SUMMER
Staying up to date on vaccinations for COVID-19, the flu, Mpox, and RSV is the best way to protect yourself this summer. Vaccines are safe and effective and staying up to date lowers your risk of infection, hospitalization, and death. Scan the below QR code to access the New Mexico Department of Health’s interactive map to schedule vaccine appointments
THE UPLIFT INITIATIVE IS ALL ABOUT CONNECTING YOU WITH RESOURCES.
Using collective strategies, we are here to connect you to more resources like affordable internet, housing assistance, legal aid, and healthcare equity. Find out more at nmblc.org/ uplift or scan the QR code below.
Holla at us at uplift@nmblc.org or call (505) 407-6784.
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS!
Promote your Black-owned local business by submitting company info to New Mexico Black Leadership Council’s BLACK OWNED BUSINESS DIRECTOR y. Scan the QR code (or email info@nmblc.org) to share relevant details about your enterprise, including phone number, email address, website, location, specialty and social media accounts, for inclusion in our digital directory.
JOIN UPLIFT CHRONICLES’ EDITORIAL BOARD
UpLift Chronicles’ coverage of news and culture centers on our community and intersects with NMBLC’s nonprofit areas of impact: cultural vibrancy; advocacy and civic engagement; physical, mental and financial health and wellness; workforce and leadership development; and positive youth development. Inform our content by joining the UpLift Chronicles’ editorial advisory board.
UPLIFT CONTRIBUTORS
For inquiries, comments or ideas: uplift@nmblc.org or 505.407.6784
PUBLISHER
CATHRYN MCGILL
MANAGING EDITOR
SAMANTHA ANNE CARRILLO
DESIGN & LAYOUT
KEITH GILBERT
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
SAMANTHA ANNE CARRILLO
SHANNON YVONNE MOREAU
KRISTIN SATTERLEE
New Mexico Black Leadership Council 1314 Madeira Drive SE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 (505) 407-6784 nmblc.org, info@nmblc.org facebook.com/nmblc instagram.com/newmexicoblack