New York Trend NYC: March 29 - April 4, 2018

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March 29th, 2018 - April 4th, 2018

VOLUME 28 ISSUE 9

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"MARCH FOR OUR LIVES" D.C. Rally Largest In Capital's History Exceeding expectations, a huge throng of peaceful but passionate demonstrators filled the streets around the U.S. Capitol for today's March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C. Addressed by teenage speakers from around the country who have been affected by gun violence, attendees rallied to demand legislative action.

While Washington, D.C. authorities have yet to give an official estimate, reports published by major news organizations put the crowd size at 850,000 people, which would make it the largest demonstration in the capital's history. Among the day's highlights: Andra Day and Common kicked off the rally with a performance of "Rise Up" backed by students from Baltimore's Cardinal Shehan School Choir. Other performances throughout the day included Demi Lovato singing "Skyscraper," LinManuel Miranda and Ben Platt performing "Found/Tonight," Vic Mensa performing "We Could Be Free," Miley Cyrus performing "The Climb" as she held onto a "Never Again" sign, and Ariana Grande singing "Be Alright."

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School junior Jaclyn Corin brought onstage Yolanda Renee King, the 9-year old granddaughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., who shouted to the assembled marchers, "I have a dream that enough is enough," and then got the crowd to chant, "Spread the word. Have you heard? All across the nation, we are going to be a great generation."

Parkland survivor Sam Fuentes read a poem she wrote called "Enough," and then led the crowd in a chorus of "Happy Birthday" for Parkland victim Nick Dworet, who would have turned 18 today.

Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for March For Our Lives

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior Emma Gonzalez sat onstage in silence for 6 minutes and 20 seconds, the time it took for the Parkland shooter to kill 17 people.

The crowd also heard powerful speeches from a group of students from Chicago—among them, Trevon Bosley (19), Alex King (18), D'Angelo McDade (18), and Mya Middleton (16)—about their experiences with gun violence in their communities.

Naomi Wadler, an 11-year-old from Virginia, proudly declared "Never Again!" on behalf of black women and girls who have been the victims of gun violence. 17-year-old Edna Chavez, of south Los Angeles,

lost her brother in a shooting and said she learned how to duck from bullets before learning how to read.

Students from Newtown High School in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, presented a sign of solidarity to Stoneman Douglas High School.

Stoneman Douglas High School students Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Pena performed "Shine," a song they wrote after the shooting.

Jennifer Hudson closed out the rally with a powerful performance of "The Times They Are A-Changin," backed by a D.C. choir. As the student speakers joined her onstage, she led the audience in a "We Want Change" chant.

March For Our Lives had secured

a permit for 500,000 people for Pennsylvania Avenue between 4th and 12th St NW. Law enforcement partners confirmed that the audience exceeded expectations with crowds extending well beyond 12th street and out further than Pennsylvania Avenue. The stage, located at 3rd and Constitution Streets, NW, served as the hub for the day's rally. The entire rally was streamed live on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. More than 800 sibling marches took place in cities around the world.

For additional information, please visit MarchForOurLives.com and join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using #MarchForOurLives.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

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PAGE 8 SEASON 5 ANNOUNCED

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CULTURE

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The 100 students were selected from thousands of applicants nationwide for this once-in-alifetime mentoring program that is designed to assist them in identifying and pursuing their dreams. The students, along with

a parent or guardian, received an all-expense-paid trip to Disney to participate in the program, which features a series of career-oriented workshops and leadership seminars. Celebrity participants include Sunny Hostin from ABC’s “The View,” television personality Steve Harvey, national recording artist Ne-Yo, former NFL great and “Dancing with the Stars’’ winner Emmitt Smith and actors Jussie Smollett (Fox’s “Empire’’), Miles Brown (ABC’s “Black-ish’’) and Marsai Martin (ABC’s “Blackish’’).

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One hundred teens from across the nation participated in Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence magazine -- a four-day, immersive and transformational mentoring program at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida which concluded this weekend.

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Students Participated in Prestigious DISNEY DREAMERS ACADEMY

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NE WS March Against Poverty to Commemorate the Legacy Of REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING In light of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination, the social justice advocacy organization Love Beyond Walls in partnership with the Center for Civil and Human Rights launched the second March Against Poverty.

Love Beyond Walls Founder and Executive Director Terence Lester will travel on foot from Dr. King’s birth city in Atlanta, GA to the historic Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN. The 386 mile journey commemorated Dr. King’s legacy and bring awareness to fight against systemic poverty, social injustice and the homeless epidemic still present in America today. Love Beyond Walls along with the NAACP, Georgia Alliance for Social Change, Wheat Street Baptist Church and Atlanta influencers will host an official send off and press conference at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on Saturday, March 3rd at 6:00pm.

Before Dr. King was killed, he

planned his next initiative, “The Poor People’s Campaign.” Dr. King believed that the next step towards equality was to eradicate a system that even today keeps members of society enslaved to poverty.

In 2016, Love Beyond Walls launched a national campaign to raise awareness for those fighting against systemic poverty.

Executive Director, Terence Lester walked from Atlanta, GA to Washington D.C, over 700 miles to bring attention to poverty in the U.S. The campaign, March Against Poverty 2016, gathered thousands together and videos of the campaign reached over 5 million views.

on the millions of people across the nation from all walks of life and nationalities who experience the harsh realities of homelessness and poverty. It is time for the next generation to pick up the baton and we are on the frontlines to leading the charge,” says Terence Lester, Founder and Executive Director of Love Beyond Walls.

The march kicks of on Saturday, March 3rd at 6:00pm at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and will feature remarks from city officials and civil rights leaders.

Love Beyond Walls is a 501c(3) nonprofit based in Atlanta, Georgia.

They’ve worked with hundreds of people transitioning out of homelessness and poverty.

For more information on the event and campaign please visit marchagainstpoverty.com.

From the campaign, Love Beyond Walls created a documentary entitled, “Voiceless” that has been viewed by thousands, aired on AIB network, and started a national conversation on systemic poverty.

“This march is a testament to the legacy of Dr. King and to shed light

NAACP DENOUNCES

FEDERAL COURT NOMINEE

Owner/Publisher Executive Editor Editor-In-Chief Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams Assistant to Publisher, Administrative Zoie Williams International Correspondent Ann Brown Travel Editor Jim Weaver Contributing Editor Justin Williams

The NAACP, the nation’s foremost civil rights organization, recently hosted a press conference in opposition to President Trump’s nomination of attorney, Thomas A. Farr, to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson; NAACP North Carolina State Conference President Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman; President of the Wendell Wake NAACP Charles Upchurch; President of the New Hanover County NAACP Deborah Maxwell; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Policy Director Todd Cox; Congresswoman

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Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and other members of Congress were joined by about 50 members from the NAACP North Carolina State Conference at the press conference to speak out against the egregious nomination.

The NAACP strongly opposed this nomination. Throughout his career, Mr. Farr has consistently stood on the wrong side of civil rights issues and worked to intimidate, misinform, or otherwise disenfranchise AfricanAmerican voters. Following the press conference, NAACP leadership took meetings with legislators on the Hill to continue to mobilize support against the nomination.

Circulation Manager Robert L. Taylor

Online Editorial Director Rachel Breton Hamlett Art Director Jessica R. Doughty Emeritus Office & Subscription Manager Sophie Taylor Social Media Zoie A. Williams Writers Ezra Mechaber Deardra Shuler Jim Weaver Anastasia Williams Justin Williams Teresa Williams

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VOLUME 28 ISSUE 9

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COMMENTARY FEWER WOULD DIE IF THEY HAD KNOWN

BY ADORA NWEZE

PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP FLORIDA AREA STATE CONFERENCE Floridians are getting sick, some more than others. For a long time now, the place people move to for retirement – to end their days in rest and leisure – is ending their days quicker. Their health is ailing faster in Florida and sometimes they’re dying faster, too. I’m not talking about the flu epidemic, but Lord, I do pray for those people. No, if what I was talking about was flu-like, Florida would have pneumonia.

Who is most impacted by this epidemic?

People who are already ill or have weak immune systems, people who cannot afford to leave the area and escape to better (for now) climates, and people of color who are at risk because of environmental racism. We call these groups frontline communities because they are the ones at the forefront of the problem but who are also taking action to get things done.

of climate change, they are also being left out of the information loop.

Emergency planners are not getting the voice and knowledge of the Black community, the low-income people, the elderly, and others before they do their evacuation plans and other kinds of climate change planning. So people are not only sick, but don’t have the information about how to escape circumstances like flooding, or what they need to do when there’s a hurricane or a tornado.

devices stop working. More asthma attacks and medical emergencies means more hospital visits that some Floridians cannot afford. So they won’t go.

And Florida is getting hotter. Make NO mistake about that. These high temperatures mean more fires, bigger hurricanes, more frequent tornadoes, and the list goes on. Climate change caused the sea level to rise and flooded the roads in Key Largo and Big Pine Keys. The flooding got so bad that the county officials are looking into raising the roads – one of the first road projects in the Keys in response to the future impacts of sea level rise from climate change.

out of the high waters.

And Floridians will die.

Think you’re safe? Climate change, while it impacts some people more than others, ultimately impacts absolutely everybody. No one, and I mean NO ONE, can escape it. No matter how many sandbags you can make or how many SUVs you can rent to get yourself

Why are Floridians getting sick? Because of the effects of climate change.

The health problems from climate change are real. So real that Florida doctors are seeing the effects every day and are taking it upon themselves to do something about it. The Miami Herald wrote about the Florida Clinicians on Climate Action, a group of doctors who realize that not everyone knows a climate scientist, but they do know a doctor. These doctors explain that “Heat worsens asthma, heart and lung disorders and even mental illnesses.

Rising seas push floodwater polluted by leaky sewage pipes into neighborhoods.

A changing climate helps spread mosquito-bourne diseases (think Zika), and research shows it makes hurricanes stronger and more common.”

They are working to make sure that “… everyone knows about the impacts of climate change and how to protect themselves, all the way from making sure high school coaches know how to teach their athletes the warning signs of heat exhaustion to explaining the benefit of community cooling centers in lowincome neighborhoods to politicians.”

At the same time Florida frontline communities are getting sicker because

These high temperatures also mean that people will get sicker faster and more often. People with asthma are going to suffer more and some won’t be able to afford to turn their air conditioning on to where it needs to be for their health so they’ll be having more asthma attacks.

And some who depend on electricity for life-saving oxygen and other medical devices will be more at risk for health emergencies when the storms come and knock out their electricity and their

Just the other day, Dahr Jamail at Truthout wrote an article about what climate change means for our kids and grandkids. “Many of the humans being born right now will be alive in 2100. They will live in the conditions we are creating for them today: In a world where it will likely be impossible to feed the majority of the projected 9 billion people on the planet by 2050, water wars will be the new oil wars (the US military has already been practicing for water wars for years), major coastal cities will have long since flooded, and droughts and wildfires will have become year-round events.”

This is not some apocalypse movie, this is real life. We cannot afford to debate about climate change for one more second. No. Climate change is real, it is making Floridians sicker faster, and it is destroying the potential for our future generations to thrive as we have done.

We have to act NOW. I am the President of the NAACP Florida Area State Conference and the Chair of the NAACP Emergency Management Taskforce. And, I am calling on everyone to get involved.

I am leading the environmental and climate justice work for Florida’s communities of color and low-income people. Just last month I organized a training with, FEMA, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), and Citizen Corp to train 57 representatives from 25 Florida NAACP branches to not only be Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members but to also be trained NAACP’s Human and Civil Rights in Emergency Management Monitoring. Now, every county in Florida has an NAACP representative who they can partner with so that they get their climate change emergency plans more in tune with the people they serve. Plus, more NAACP members can now provide basic medical care and attention to their neighbors and communities in a time of a hurricane or other event.

I’m calling on every other NAACP State Conference President nationwide to follow Florida’s lead. Because this isn’t just a Florida problem. Every state has environmental and climate change issues – whether its wildfires, blizzards, droughts, or flooding. We need to be prepared for more heat, less drinkable water, bigger hurricanes, more storms, more asthma attacks and cardiovascular diseases, etc.

But most importantly, we have got to take care of each other! We can’t be around destroying each other. We have to work together so that the next generation can profit just like how we profited from the last generation. If we join together NOW, we can make plans that will benefit everyone in the community, not just a few. We’ll get stronger, wiser, and safer as a family.

Fewer would have died if they had only known in time. We don’t want that to be our future as much as it has been our past. Join us.

P REV ENTING GUN VI OLE N C E

Gun violence is of a major concern to our nation, and especially to the communities served and represented by the NAACP. Curbing that violence, at every opportunity, is a major goal. Roughly 50% of gun-related deaths in our country in 2015 were African American men, despite the fact that we make up just 6% of the U.S. population.

The leading cause of death among African American teens, ages 15 to

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19 in 2008 and 2009 was gunrelated homicide. African American children and teens were less than 15% of the total child population in 2008 and 2009 but accounted for 45% of all child- and teen-related gun deaths.

Roughly 50% of gun-related deaths in our country in 2015 were African American men…

Given the disproportionate damage

gun violence is having on our communities, the NAACP has advocated for a number of sane, sensible laws which will help eliminate or decrease the damage and death caused by gun violence.

We strongly support several sensible proposals which together will do a lot to help keep dangerous firearms off our streets and out of the hands of those who should not have access to them.

March 29, 2018 - April 4, 2018

To review those proposals, please take a few minutes to read the Issue Brief (http://www.naacp.org/ wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ GUN-VIOLENCE.Issue-Brief.pdf), which provides a brief summary of the problem, outlines measures supported by the NAACP, and then goes on to describe the proposals in more depth.

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ENTER TAINMENT

V Y HI GGI NS E N I n ‘ L e t Th e M us ic P l ay. . . G o s p e l !’

The Mama Foundation for the Arts proudly announces the brand new production of their acclaimed musical, Let the Music Play... Gospel!. From the creators of Mama, I Want To Sing! – the worldwide musical sensation – Let the Music Play... Gospel! is a musical celebration of a generation, featuring an intergenerational company of performers comprised of both younger and older adults; at The Dempsey Theater in Harlem (127 West 127th Street, between Lenox and Seventh Avenues). After a long running hit

engagement in 1988, the joyous concert musical returns 30 years later, for an energized remounting; performances begin on April 7, 2018.

Conceived and written by Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro, this 30th Anniversary revival offers new direction by Mr. Wydro, Ahmaya Knoelle Higginson, Kevin McKoy, and choreographer Elijah Ahmad Lewis. The show features a new and fresh showcasing of a classic musical genre. Ms. Higginsen invites you to experience the floor-stomping and roof-shaking power of her legendary musical: “This show is guaranteed to warm your soul and lift your spirits. The story is in the sound of the music; the message is in the words of the song.”

Let the Music Play... Gospel! features Vy Higginsen returning to the stage with fellow cast members Deborah Bingham, Matthew Brown, Matthew Burke, Renee Connell, Carlton Ellen, Jessica Lyric Harp, Ahmaya Knoelle Higginson, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Gladys Mitchell, Kamal Morales, Jalana Potts, Kiara Ray, Michael Reid, Roberta Ross, and Chloe Thompson; with musicians Andre Cleghorn, Edward Cleghorn, Jr, David McKoy, and music director Kevin McKoy; lighting design by Earl Dolphy,

and sound design by Don Juan Holder.

Proceeds from the production benefit The Mama Foundation for the Arts, a cultural space in Harlem with a mission to present, preserve and promote the history and fundamentals of gospel, jazz, and rhythm & blues music for current and future generations, as well as to provide quality training and employment in the performing arts to both youths and adults. A non-profit 501(c)3, The Mama Foundation for the Arts was founded in 1998 by Vy Higginsen, inspired by her musical Mama, I Want To Sing!

Through the Foundation’s School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B and its Gospel for Teens program, instruction in these musical art forms has been offered to young people between the ages of 11 and 19 at no cost since 2006. The Gospel for Teens program has serviced hundreds of students in the past seven years, providing desperately needed support to musically gifted children and replacing arts programs taken out of many inner city schools.

Let the Music Play... Gospel! will perform Saturday afternoons from April 7th through to May 19th at 2:00

p.m. Tickets are available by calling The Mama Foundation for the Arts at (212) 280-1045 or through OvationTix at Mamafoundation.org. Tickets are $35 - $50 for general admission.

Special rates for seniors age 62 or over, and groups of 10 or more are also available when calling the box office.

For more information, please visit www. mamafoundation.org.

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Circle in the Square Theatre, 235 W. 50th Street

March 29, 2018 - April 4, 2018

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ENTER TAINMENT WA L M A RT F o cuse s o n

Afr i c a n -A merican Wo men’s Bu si n e sse s The second Quick Chat video in the three-part series Hidden Talent, sponsored by Walmart, highlights Restaurant Owner Leah Abraham as she shares how hiring locally in Harlem has helped her business grow from humble roots to an in-demand hotspot.

Through her dedication to her community and the desire to contribute to Harlem’s transformation into the bustling city it is today, Leah shares the methodology behind operating a successful restaurant, bakery and catering business, Settepani; which she regards as a true extension of her family.

By hiring locally and empowering

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her staff to be leaders, Leah has raised the bar on how AfricanAmerican women are shaping the future in business while giving back to their communities.

Join us in our Business Sanctuary as Leah takes us through the journey of building a successful brand in the heart of Harlem, what that means to the community and how it’s helped her bottom line.

Register & Watch https:// odysseymedia.com/programs/ business-sanctuary/?utm_ source=email&utm_ content=2018-walmart-2-leahabraham-business-sanctuary

March 29, 2018 - April 4, 2018

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ENTER TAINMENT

STARZ ANNOUNCES SEASON FIVE OF “POWER”

In advance of production wrapping on season five, Starz announced today the early renewal of hit STARZ Original series “Power” for an additional sixth season, with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson scheduled to direct the season six premiere episode. From creator and showrunner Courtney A. Kemp, “Power” has continued to perform for the network growing with each season and establishing several all-time high performances for STARZ viewership. The muchanticipated fifth season will return on Sunday, July 1st at 8PM ET/PT.

Tasha St. Patrick; and Lela Loren is his first love, Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Valdes.

The show is also produced by G-Unit Films and Television, the production company launched

by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, and Canton’s Atmosphere Entertainment MM. For more information on “Power” and

most influential deals in hip-hop with the sale of Vitaminwater, Jackson continues to break records. He currently has the #1 show on Starz, “Power,” in which he not only co-stars but also serves as executive producer.

Jackson has carved out a thriving television and film career. In 2005, he founded G-Unit Film

Starz President of Programming Carmi Zlotnik said, "As ‘Power’ wraps production on season five, we want to acknowledge and thank our spectacular ‘Power’ team for producing another great season. We are also pleased to announce a pick-up for season six.”

“Power” is the hugely successful New York-based crime drama created by Courtney A. Kemp who executive produces alongside Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Mark Canton, Randall Emmett, Gary Lennon and Shana Stein.

The critically-acclaimed fourth season averaged 9.3 million multiplatform viewers per episode and is the most-watched franchise for Starz, averaging 7.4 million multiplatform viewers for all four seasons. “Power” ranks number 3 among premium scripted series for viewers and was a top three Sunday night program on Nielsen Social Rankings nine out of 10 weeks. The series is the recent recipient of three 2018 NAACP Image Awards® including “Outstanding Drama Series” and “Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series,” and a 2017 People’s Choice Award® for “Favorite Premium Drama Series.”

About “Power”

“Power” is a visionary drama that straddles the glamorous Manhattan lifestyles of the rich and infamous and the underworld of the international drug trade.

The cast is led by Omari Hardwick as James “Ghost” St. Patrick, a man trying to escape his role as a drug kingpin for a legitimized life in the elite of NYC; Joseph Sikora as his brother in arms in the drug business, Tommy Egan; Naturi Naughton plays Ghost’s fierce wife

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access to press materials and show assets, please visit the new STARZ Media Room, compatible with iPad devices: https:// mediaroom.starz.com/ Check out “Power” online on their Facebook Page and follow @PowerSTARZ on Twitter and @PowerStarz on Instagram. Join the conversation with #PowerTV and #STARZ. Website: https://www.starz.com/ series/power/episodes

About Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson 50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, is an award-winning rapper, entrepreneur, actor and producer from Queens, New York.

Recognized as one of the most talented and prolific music artists of his time, the Grammy Award winner rose to fame with his record-shattering debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin' and has since sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and been awarded numerous prestigious accolades. Jackson has leveraged his star power to cross over with unparalleled success as an entrepreneur, actor and producer.

From Get Rich or DieTryin' being one of the fastest selling albums in history to creating one of the

& Television, Inc. which has produced a wide variety of content across numerous platforms and sold a myriad of shows to various networks. Among these is “Power,” which premiered in June 2014. Starz and Lionsgate extended Jackson & G-Unit Film & Television, Inc’s overall deal to develop new projects for the network, including “Tomorrow, Today,” based on a screenplay penned by Jackson and the “BMF” project. Additional credits include the variety show “50 Central” on BET and two dramas, “The Oath,” and "RPM” for Sony Pictures Television Networks and Crackle. Jackson’s successful film career has included roles in several blockbusters: most recently Den of Thieves costarring opposite Gerard Butler, Antoine Fuqua’s boxing drama Southpaw, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Spy with Melissa McCarthy. Jackson will also reprise his role in Escape Plan 2, set for release in spring 2018. The exceptional businessman serves as CEO of G-Unit Records, which he founded in 2003 and has since signed a host of multi-platinum artists. Jackson continues to

March 29, 2018 - April 4, 2018

dominate the charts with hits like the just-released “Still Think I’m Nothing,” and he is continuously recording new music.

Jackson continues to extend his brand, which encompasses a broad spectrum of businesses including: footwear and apparel, fragrance, video games, publishing, headphones, vodka, health drinks, Casper mattresses and supplements.

About Starz Starz (www.starz.com) a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), is a leading global media and entertainment company that provides premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television networks and produces and distributes content for worldwide audiences, including its investment in the STARZ PLAY Arabia OTT service. Starz is home to the flagship STARZ® brand and STARZ ENCORE channels and provides high-quality, entertaining premium subscription video programming with 17 premium pay TV channels and associated on-demand and online services, including the STARZ app. Sold through U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, telecommunications companies, and other online and digital platforms, Starz offers subscribers more than 5,000 distinct premium television episodes and feature films every year and up to 1,500 every month, including STARZ Original series, first-run movies and other popular movie and television programming.

Source: Based on Starz internal estimates of linear and non-linear / time shifted results from Nielsen (NPower) as well as internal analysis of broadband data.

Subject to further qualifications available upon request. Source: Nielsen NPower, Live +SD HH Projections (000s) for episodes premieres on premium. Source: Nieslen Social Content Ratings.

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HE ALTH

SECOND HAND SMOKE Affects Latino, Black and Young Adults The Health Department has released a new Vital Signs report on secondhand smoke exposure and smoke-free housing policies in New York City. Secondhand smoke exposure is the involuntary exposure to smoke from a burning cigarette or from another person exhaling smoke from a cigarette. According to the data, 44 percent of adult New Yorkers in 2016 reported being exposed to cigarette smoking while in their home – whether the source of smoke was from another apartment, house, or from the outside. The rate of secondhand smoke exposure was assessed by asking individuals if they smelled cigarette smoke. Secondhand smoke exposure was found to be more prevalent among Latino adults, Black adults and those in high-poverty neighborhoods.

Latino adults (56 percent) were more likely to report being exposed to secondhand smoke from the outside than other nonLatino racial/ethnic groups. Black adults reported exposure in their home at higher rates than White and Asian/Pacific Islander adults (44 percent versus 38 percent and 35 percent, respectively).

Additionally, New Yorkers living in medium-, high- and very-high poverty neighborhoods were more likely to report exposure to secondhand smoke at home than residents living in low-poverty neighborhoods. The Health Department’s annual Community Health Survey provided data for the report.

“There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and these troubling data show that too many New Yorkers are being exposed to that danger – especially in communities of color,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “Exposure to secondhand smoke can put families at higher risk of stroke and other tobaccorelated illnesses. We continue to encourage all New Yorkers to adopt smoke-free policies in their homes in order to protect their health and the health of their family.”

The Vital Signs report also examines smoke-free housing in New York City. Forty percent of New Yorkers living in multiunit housing reported living in a building that prohibits smoking,

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although White and Black adults were less likely than Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander adults to report they lived in a building with a smoke-free policy. In 2013, 77 percent of New Yorkers also had an “in-home smoke free policy,” meaning smoking was not allowed in their residence, up from 62 percent in 2002.

Additional Vital Signs data highlights: New Yorkers in multi-unit housing

(three or more units) were more likely to report being exposed to cigarette smoke from outside than those in one- or two-family homes.

Latino and Black adults and younger adult New York City residents were more likely to report being exposed to secondhand smoke than White and Asian/ Pacific Islander adults and those ages 65 and older.

In 2016, 40 percent of adult New Yorkers living in multi-unit buildings reported smoking was prohibited in all areas.

In 2013, three-quarters of adult New Yorkers (77 percent) reported they had a smoke-free policy at home – meaning smoking was not allowed anywhere inside. Nonsmokers were more likely than smokers to have such a policy (81 percent versus 55 percent).

Among smokers and nonsmokers, the percentage implementing in-home smoke-free policies has increased steadily

between 2002 and 2013 (from 29 percent to 55 percent for smokers; from 71 percent to 81 percent for non-smokers).

In addition to the Vital Signs report, the Health Department published a Health Bulletin this month, which educates New Yorkers on the harms of secondhand smoke at home. The Health Bulletin also provides information about making a home smoke-free, including tips on how to implement a smoke-free

policy in a building.

"It is troubling that so many New Yorkers are still being exposed to the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke in their homes and during their daily routines," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

"While we have implemented measures to curtail New Yorker's exposure, such as the laws I passed to prohibit smoking by school and after-school entrances, we still have to continue working to provide New Yorkers with the resources and support to protect themselves from secondhand smoke and help those who smoke to quit."

“Too many New Yorkers are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. DOHMH data illuminates a clear danger to public health, particularly in communities of color. More action must be taken to help New Yorkers curb smoking habits, especially in their homes,” said Council Member

March 29, 2018 - April 4, 2018

Ritchie Torres.

In August 2017, Mayor de Blasio signed a series of bills to help reduce the number of smokers in New York City. These bills put New York City at the forefront of smoking and tobacco control by: (1) raising the minimum prices for all tobacco products, including cigarettes, and imposing a new 10 percent local tax on tobacco products other than cigarettes; (2) capping and reducing through

attrition the number of tobacco retailers citywide; (3) creating a retail license for e-cigarettes and capping the number of e-cigarette retailers; (4) increasing the fee for a cigarette retail dealer license; (5) requiring all residential buildings to create a smoking policy and disclose it to both current and prospective tenants; (6) prohibiting smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in common areas in multiple dwellings with fewer than ten units; and (7) banning the sale of tobacco products at pharmacies.

In New York City, it is illegal to smoke in common areas in multiunit buildings. By August 2018, multi-unit buildings in New York City must also have a policy on smoking and disclose that policy to tenants and prospective tenants.

Although this does not mandate smoke-free housing, it empowers people to make informed decisions to live in smoke-free buildings. ok.com/nycquits.

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HUMAN RIGHT S

S U IT F IL E D AG A I N ST MY RT L E BE ACH FOR RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES

The National NAACP, the Myrtle Beach Branch of the NAACP and three individuals filed a complaint and motion for preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina alleging that the City of Myrtle Beach and the City of Myrtle Beach Police Department discriminate against AfricanAmerican tourists.

The complaint alleges that there are stark differences in the treatment of African-American bikers during Black Bike Week compared to the treatment of majority-White bikers during Harley Week. Both events occur in May with Black Bike Week held over the Memorial Day Weekend and with Harley Week ending a week before Black Bike Week starts. The two events attract a similar number of visitors to the Myrtle Beach area.

According to the complaint, the City of Myrtle Beach and its police department impose no formal traffic plan during Harley Week. However, during Black Bike Week they restrict the main two-way thoroughfare, Ocean Boulevard, to a single lane of southbound traffic. All vehicles

entering Ocean Boulevard at night are forced to travel through a 23-mile loop with just one exit.

On Saturday night of Black Bike Week, it could take over six hours to complete the loop.

The complaint also alleges that the City deploys far more police officers during Black Bike Week than Harley Week and that the police officers utilize overly aggressive policing tactics against African Americans. As described in the complaint, the City seeks to make Black Bike Week sufficiently unpleasant for the mostly African-American motorcyclists, hoping that they stop attending the event and that it ceases to exist. The NAACP believes the city and police are attempting to deter African Americans tourists and bikers from visiting Myrtle Beach.

“All citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law and have the rights of expression, assembly and association,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “The City’s traffic plan and overly aggressive policing tactics during Black Bike Week violate those fundamental constitutional rights. The

Anson Asaka, NAACP National Office Associate General Counsel, speaking at a news conference in Myrtle Beach on Tuesday about the lawsuit.

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Association will continue to use the courts to fight such blatant discrimination.”

In 2003, the NAACP successfully challenged the City’s previous traffic plan for Black Bike Week. In 2005, the district court granted the NAACP’s motion for preliminary injunction, finding that differences in the traffic plans between Black Bike Week and Harley Week were likely motivated by race and in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Shortly after this decision, a settlement agreement was entered requiring the City to impose the same traffic plans for Black Bike Week and Harley Week. However, in 2015, after that agreement expired, the City imposed a new traffic plan even more restrictive than the 2003 plan.

“The Court found that the earlier plan was likely motivated by race and now just a few years after the consent order expired, the City has come back with an even more restrictive plan; it is clear that the City is once again discriminating against the African Americans who attend Black Bike Week,” said Reed Colfax of Relman, Dane & Colfax PLLC, which represents the Plaintiffs.

“During annual Black Bike Week, the City of Myrtle Beach and its Police Department resort to behavior that subjects African Americans to rules and restrictions that are clearly racially motivated,” said Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights

March 29, 2018 - April 4, 2018

Under Law. “This draconian set of rules and restrictions don’t apply during Harley Week, the Country Music Festival or during other major public events. By subjecting African Americans who travel to Myrtle Beach for Black Bike Week to second-class treatment, officials are resorting to conduct from a bygone era.

With our lawsuit, we are turning to the courts to protect the rights and dignity of those seeking equal treatment under the law.”

Black Bike Week is the one time of the year when the majority of the tourists in Myrtle Beach are African American. It is also the only time of the year when the city and police impose such an obtrusive traffic plan for tourists.

Such tactics are noticeably absent during the weeks of Spring Break, or Fourth of July celebrations.

“The City’s traffic plan does not facilitate traffic,” said Myrtle Beach Branch NAACP President Mickey James. “It does not promote public safety.

Unfortunately, it is designed to discourage African-Americans from attending Black Bike Week.”

“White bikers do not have to go through that, so why should we?” said individual plaintiff Simuel Jones, a Black Bike Week attendee and former U.S. Marine.

Relman, Dane & Colfax, PLLC, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Law Office of Peter Wilborn, and the NAACP Office of the General Counsel represent the plaintiffs. www.newyorktrendnyc.com

END NO TE S

JASON TAYLOR FOUNDATION To Host Poetry Fe stival For the fourth consecutive year, the Jason Taylor Foundation is giving the South Florida community the chance to witness the top youth poets in the state compete during a cutting edge event – the Louder Than A Bomb Florida Poetry Festival presented by Nova Southeastern University and UPS. This highly anticipated event takes place from March 26 – April 21, 2018.

Dubbed the “Super Bowl of poetry,” Louder Than A Bomb Florida (LTABFLA), a Jason Taylor Foundation arts and education project, features a friendly spokenword competition between schoolbased poetry teams representing high schools from across the state.

Funding from Nova Southeastern University, UPS and a host of other community partners has assisted the Jason Taylor Foundation support the schools’ efforts by providing year-round, in-class and after-school instruction, which will culminate in this 27-day festival.

For the first time in LTABFLA history, a Central Florida preliminary round has been added to the competition and will feature schools representing Brevard, Columbia, Duval, Hillsborough, Orange and St. Lucie counties, while the South Florida regional bracket will be comprised of more than 30 schools from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

“This is without a doubt one of my favorite times of the year,” said Pro Football Hall of Famer, Jason Taylor. “Each and every day we are witness to the power of young voices and Louder Than A Bomb Florida showcases this power on dynamic stages and in spectacular venues.

I love that our reach continues to expand and that LTABFLA can bring so many youth from different backgrounds together to celebrate their stories, strengthen their schools and transform communities.”

The schedule of events for Louder Than A Bomb Florida is as follows: Event: Central Florida Preliminary Bouts Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2018 Time: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Universal Studios Event: South Florida Preliminary Bouts – Day One Date: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 Time: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Little Haiti Cultural Complex

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Miramar Cultural Center PlugIN Ted’s at YoungArts Event: Town Hall Meeting Safe Spaces; Safe Schools Date: Monday, April 9, 2018 Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Knight Auditorium, Nova Southeastern University Event: Amp’d Up – bluapple Teaching Artist Showcase Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Sunrise Civic Center Amphitheater Event: South Florida Preliminary Bouts – Day Two Date: Thursday, April 12, 2018 Time: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: ArtServe, Ft. Lauderdale City of Sunrise Civic Center Delray Beach Arts Garage Savor Cinema Event: Coaches Slam/Youth Poet Laureate Book Release Date: Thursday, April 12, 2018 Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Location: Ella Cafe, Plantation Event: Firecracker/Dynamite Slam Date: Friday, April 13, 2018 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: African-American Research Library & Cultural Center Event: Semifinals Date: Saturday, April 14, 2018 Time: 10 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 4 p.m.; 7 p.m.

Location: PVA Theater, Don Taft Center Nova Southeastern University Event: LTABFLA Block Party & Art Slam Presented by Hoffman’s Chocolates & LIME Fresh Mexican Grill Date: Sunday, April 15, 2018 Time: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Location: The Fountains, Plantation Event: College Open Mic Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Flight Deck, Nova Southeastern University Event: College Slam Date: Thursday, April 19, 2018 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, Nova Southeastern University Event: The Ultimate Software Individual Finals Date: Friday, April 20, 2018 Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Location: Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, Nova Southeastern University Event: Writing Workshop with Nate Marshall Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Alvin Sherman Library – gallery, Nova Southeastern University The StevenDouglas Event: Team Finals Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 Time: 6:30– 9:30 p.m.

Location: Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, Nova Southeastern University Since founding the bluapple Poetry Network with actor and poet Omari Hardwick in 2012, the Foundation has helped more than 65 schools activate this program, with more than 1,200 participants inspiring their communities with poetry.

Louder Than A Bomb Florida is a festival featuring poetry bouts, workshops, exhibits, and ultimately the crowning of Florida’s top youth poetry team. The most critical component, however, is the yearround, meaningful instruction inside the classroom and after-school clubs, with teachers and teaching artists who create and facilitate a safe space for individual and collective expression.

In addition to Nova Southeastern University and UPS, other supporters of Louder Than A Bomb Florida include 99 JAMZ, Arts Garage, ArtServe, BBX Capital Foundation, Best Buy of Davie, Broward Schools, Carnival Foundation, City of Miramar, City of Sunrise, Commissioner Keon Hardemon, DeBartolo Family Foundation, Ella Café, Florida Panthers Foundation, Goldman Properties, Heroes of Hip Hop, Hits 97.3, Hoffman’s Chocolates, Invicta Watch Group, Jax Youth Poetry Slam, LIME Fresh Mexican Grill, Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Miami Dolphins Foundation, Minuteman Press of Hollywood, Miramar Cultural

March 29, 2018 - April 4, 2018

Center, MOD Pizza, NBC-6, Pavlov’s Ring The Bell Management, PlugIN Private Kareoke Rooms, Publix, Savor Cinema, Sonshine Communications, Sports & Activities Directory, StevenDouglas, The Fountains, The Performers Academy, Thunderous Genius Creative House, Ultimate Software, Urban Word, Wizard Creations, YoungArts Foundation, and Young Chicago Authors.

For more information, or to purchase tickets for Louder Than A Bomb Florida events, visit www. bluapplepoetry.org or call (954) 424-0799.

About the Jason Taylor Foundation:

In July 2004, Miami Dolphins legendary Defensive End and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Jason Taylor, established the Jason Taylor Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization. The Foundation’s mission is to support and create programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.

Since opening its doors, the Jason Taylor Foundation has impacted tens of thousands of children through innovative programming including The Jason Taylor Reading Room, Cool Gear for the School Year, the Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center, Jason Taylor Scholars and the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, among others. For more information on the Jason Taylor Foundation, please visit www.

JasonTaylorFoundation.org or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ jasontaylorfoundation or Twitter and Instagram: @jtfoundation99 or @ bluapplepoetry #LTABFLA.

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