New York Trend NYC: June 27 - July 3, 2019

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NEWMAYOR YORK TREND DAVID DINKINS, REP. CHARLES RANGEL, Serving New York City, Nassau & Suffolk Counties

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THE ALTERNATIVE VOLUMEPERSPECTIVE 26 ISSUE 40

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HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

NYC Chancellor Make s HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT Of and a former chancellor of the The Black Stars News 2015 S oAnnual c i a l E m ot ion al Le arn in g In All Schools York Awards Dinner will honor Mayor New York public schools system.

Partnership with Sanford Harmony succeed,” said Schools Chancellor Richard David Dinkins, Rep. Charles program to expand Social-Emotional A. Carranza. “We’re doubling down on an Rangel, Rep. Yvette approach that we know works — giving Learning support to all NYC Clarke, R. Donahue our teachers the resources to support elementary schools; Peebles, 85 clinicalBarbara social Arnwine, Barron, Sabrina our students’ social-emotional skills and workers to provideInez earlier intervention Lamb,inDr. Rudy Crew, Stephen for students need; all high schools and middle to receive Byrd,schools Alia Jones, and the Central Restorative training;ofNYC Park Justice Five survivors gross injustice Schools to keep suspensions 20 – on December 18 frombelow 6:00pm days in10:00pm most cases except those that at MIST Harlem, 46 West involve116th seriousStreet. or violent incidents

change the school climate for all students and staff.”

“New York City has set a new standard for empowering youth,” said Patrick J. Kennedy,

our voices and moving in the right direction.

Now, wePioneering must move toproducers fully end racial Stephen disparities andand the criminalization young their Byrd Alia Jones,ofthrough people in our schools.

We still haveProduction, work to company Front Row do.” brought “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” “Through Sanford Harmony, the National and “A Streetcar Named Desire” University System is pleased to express with a multi-ethnic cast to our commitment to advancing this Broadway.

In 2016 they bring collaborative effort in support of safer schools “Eclipsed” and student success,” said Winner Dr. with Oscar MichaelLupita R. Cunningham, of Nyong Chancellor ’O to Broadway. the National University System. “SocialHonorees, the even so-called Central emotional learning helps the youngest Schools“Each Chancellor Richard A. Carranza honoree chosen for studentsPark to develop skills in communication 5, are collectively and has announced for thehas firstdemonstrated time in New recognition and collaboration, reducing conflict individually heroes.

Theyand are York City’s history that all students will have “It's common sense: exceptional leadership and vision in fostering positive school climates that survivors of one of the ugliest access to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) David Dinkins Charles Rangel encourage academic achievement. Today’s when we keep her or his respective profession and Restorative Justice (RJ) practices and, or miscarriage ofthat justice in New York’s announcement ensures all elementary students in the endeavor and in somefrom significant when needed, earlier intervention history; having been railroaded students in New York City have access to majority.

She now leads The was a member of the New York classroom and help clinical measure social workers. investmenttowards is has The contributed the powerful, evidence-based program, and unjustly convicted for a crime Transformative Justice Coalition.

City Council, representing designed to help school communities be in this them feel safe the and creating a more just society vision of philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, to th they did not commit and for which Arnwine was for 26 years executive 40 council district in Brooklyn, more proactive in changing school culture supported in their country,” says Black Star News encourage positive relationships from the they served long prison sentences and climate. The Department of Education director of the Lawyers’ Committee succeeding her mother, Una S. classroom to adulthood.” schools, they will founder and publisher will provide all elementary schools withMilton ranging from seven years to 13 years for Civil Rights Under the Law. In collaboration T. Clarke. In the succeed.” current 114th with the United Federation “Obviously much work access Allimadi. to an SEL curriculum in partnership before being exonerated when the Congress Clarke serves on Inez Barron, honoree, formerly aof Teachers, 50 middle schools will receive with National System’s Sanford needsUniversity to be done here and  Schools Chancellor actual rapist confessed. They are: the Energy and Commerce Harmony program.the It will also build RJ State Assembly member, is nowmore intensive programming through the around world.”

Richard A. Carranza.

Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond Positive Learning Collaborative model, a Committee, responsible for practices into all middle and high schools, a New York City council memberrestorative approach to changing school The gala starts attools 6:00pm with a Santana Jr., Antron McCray, Kevin providing students with the they need consumer protection, food and a champion of education for climate. This work will be enhanced, thanks to namecocktail their emotions, overcome conflicts hour to be followed by the Richardson, and Kharey Wise. safety, energy development, public our youth. to the New York City Council, with a new and repair relationships. dinner and awards ceremonies. There health, communications, the Thrive initiative of 85Star borough-based The Black News, which focuses well-being, and, as a result, driving down former Congressman and Founder of the “We’ve heard students, teachers and by Imhotep Gary will befrom musical entertainment environment, andoutcomes. I interstate and KennedyHonoree clinical social workers specificallyhas suspensions and improving Forum. “Social-Emotional skillsByrd is licensedon investigative journalism, parentsopera across singer our city,Cassandra and as a result, a legendary radioto talk show host designed to support teachers and directly Douglas thank Mayor de Blasio and First Lady are absolutely critical, both academic international commerce. been featured as a result of some if we’re revolutionizing our school system producer, radio DJ,help students facing emotional distress from successand and executive overall health and well-being. and from harmonica phenomenon McCray for their leadership, and I'm excited and giving our kids the social-emotional its news scoops, on CNN, The New Donahue Peebles, honoree, is Rather than to get toR. work on this next step of our relying on discipline to ‘treat poet, songwriter, music recordingthe point of crisis to a handoff to long-term William is tools they need to Galison. ensure theyDavid developDinkins into York Daily News, The New York a leading and founder ofthe symptoms’ children's agenda.” developer

of poor communication artist and producer, rapper, writercare, if necessary. forMayor Lifetime healthy honored adults,” said Bill deAchievement Blasio.

Post, The Village Voice, and Brill’s skills, disconnectedness, inability to manage The Peebles Co., the nation’s largest and community activist. He beganSEL has been proven to improve students’ “I’m proud thatwas New New York City is leading — he York City’sthe first “We are proud of the joint efforts between emotions, and more, these programs Content magazine. the Department Education and the New AfricanofAmerican-owned real way in our schools, using research-backed his career as a radio DJ in Buffaloacademic performance by prioritizing African American mayor and also Policefirm Department to keep our worthprioritize prevention strategies with longcommunication, empathy and problem methods that encourage the whole growth of York City estate with $3.5 billion Black Star News honorees at age Forwhat overwe30 years, he’s solving. Past term impact.

It’s15. exactly need, welcomed Nelson Mandela to theyoung people safe in schools,” said Police RJ builds on the SEL continuum by every student.” of properties under development especially as our country struggles with have included: Giltheir Noble (Like It been a talk show host at WBLS and city after his release in 1990.

Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “This training students to practice social“To prepare New York City students for or management — he was one mental health and addiction crises.

My hope Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad agreement memorializes best practices that WLIB radio in New York City. Heemotional learning skills in everyday life both the future we must do more to make sure Rep. Charles Rangel, also honored is that other cities will take notice of this of the pioneering developerswho the Police Department and the Department outside(CNN), the classroom.

The DOE O’Brien Ms. Camille Cosby, also has a Friday night radio talk inside and they arefor able to learn while they are in thehas of Education have developed over the leadership and follow suit.”

Lifetime Achievement, helped turn around and revitalize exemplary will now have an SEL continuum in grades Voza Rivers (New Heritage Theatre), show on WBAI. classroom.

We have a responsibility make He last years.

With reductions in both served in Congress since to1971. is twenty “For years, young people have fought to Pre-K-12. the once-blighted Anacostia Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel sure our young people have the life skills to index crime and enforcement action in New D.C. end theHonoree school-to-prison pipeline and make Sabrina Lamb, founderThe DOE also announced its revised recipient of The Bronze for neighborhood in Washington, navigatea their world inside and outside medal of Larrieux (Entertainer), Dr. William York City schools, the NYPD School Safety schoolsof more supportive and inclusive,” World of Money, is a champion Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) helping save soldiers behind enemy the classroom and continue developing into A champion of African-American Pollard (Medgar Evers College), Division continues to focus on supporting said Rikya Theresa Kee, Youth Leader with of financial literacy for youth-- shebetween the NYPD and DOE, updates to the healthy line adults,” said the FirstKorean Lady Chirlane during War. economic Peebles’ Urban is students’ success inempowerment every school building.”

Youth Collaborative. “Through most Herm Edwards (NYsignificantly Jets), Nayaba NYPD Patrol Guide that would McCray. “This new approach will help us teaches knowledge about handling contemplating a possible run for NYC of my school experience, I felt isolated.

My Rep. Yvette Clarke is a Democratic Arinde (Amsterdam News), “The time has come to stop reacting, to limit situations where in-school arrests forLa-Verna educate the whole child and create a more budgeting and planning. schoolsmoney, did not have the resources they mayor in 2017. stop having to scramble to help students out-of-school incidents are allowed, and member of the US House of Fountain (Columbia University), positive school climate with greater supports needed to support me, like restorative after the fact,” said Michael Mulgrew, changes to the DOE discipline Dr.Today’s Rudyannouncement Crew, honoree, is one ofproposed for our educators.”

Representatives from New Lillian Roberts (DC37), Desiree Dancy Honoree Barbara Arnwine, civil practices. to expand President of the United Federation of code to keep suspensions below 20 days in th “It's common sense: when we keepcovers students the nation’s leading educators.

He’s York whose 9 district (New York Times), Greg restorative justice, hire more social workers, rights is a champion Teachers.

“We lawyer, need a proactive approach,of most cases except those that involveFloyd serious(Local in the classroom help them feel safe and propose changing the discipline code much ofand central Brooklyn.

Before and hopefully 237), Rev. Al Sharpton (National president of Medgar Evers College protecting voting rights of ethnic today is the start of getting the and supported in their schools, they will gives me theUniversity city is listening entering Congress in 2007, she right resources -- cont'dand onmany Pageothers.

4 Action Network), to groups our educators so emerging we can ofhope Thethat City oftoNew minority — the

INSIDE T HIS ISSUE: IS SUE : INSIDE THIS

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PAGE 8 DONNY'S TRUE STORY

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NEWS

N AV Y S E A M A N A D VA N C E S C A R E E R W H I L E S E R V I N G C O U N T R Y Seaman Maleke Abbott, a native of Queens, New York, wanted to join the Navy to further his education.

Now, one year later and half a world away, Abbott serves aboard one of the Navy’s most dependable amphibious ships at Fleet Activities Sasebo, patrolling one of the world’s busiest maritime regions as part of U.S. 7th Fleet. “It’s like a regular job working on the ship, you just have to deal with tough people sometimes but you learn from them and move on,” said Abbott.

sailors.

“We get to go to all of these different countries so being deployed over here

“Growing up in New York and comparing it to the Navy, there is actually a lot in common.”

Seaman Maleke Abbott

Abbott, a 2014 graduate of Richmond Hill High School, is a quartermaster aboard the forward-deployed Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland in Sasebo, Japan. “Our job is to ensure the safe navigation of the ship in and out of port and in the open ocean,” said Abbott.

Abbott credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Queens.

“Growing up in New York and comparing it to the Navy, there is actually a lot in common,” said Abbott. “I was used to a lot of diversity so being in the Navy you’re exposed to so many different kinds of people and ethnicities. You learn to respect people and learn to work with them.”

U.S. 7th Fleet spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of operations encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000

Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward

gives you the opportunity to travel,” said Abbott.

With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this

part of the world. The Navy’s presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment.

“The Navy is forward-deployed to provide security and strengthen relationships in a free and open IndoPacific. It’s not just the ships and aircraft that have shown up to prevent conflict and promote peace,” said Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “It is, and will continue to be our people who define the role our Navy plays around the world. People who’ve made a choice, and have the will and strength of character to make a difference.”

USS Ashland is 610 feet long. The ship can travel at speeds in excess of 20 nautical miles per-hour. Ashland is one of eight Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships currently in service.

The ship’s primary purpose is to launch equipment and personnel for amphibious missions. Approximately 22 officers and 390 enlisted men and women make up the ship’s company.

Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the ship running smoothly. The jobs range from washing dishes and preparing meals to maintaining engines and handling weaponry. Serving in the Navy means Abbott is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans.

More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea. “Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Abbott is most proud of graduating Navy boot camp and quartermaster Navy “A” school.

“I’m glad that I was able to graduate from boot camp and after that, A school,” said Abbott. “They both were tough for me but I just fought through and finished. Finishing school was tough because it was a lot of studying and a lot of hours. If you don’t finish, then you become an undesignated seaman and they put you anywhere so there’s a lot of pressure.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Abbott and other Sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.

“When I first got here, when you finally start meeting everyone and learning your job, things get easier,” said Abbott.

“I feel proud to be able to finish the initial stages of my career and actually start doing my job. I feel like now I can focus on my work and do the best I can.”

Prison Inmates GRADUATE With MASTERS from NY Theological Seminary On Wednesday June 12th, a dozen incarcerated men from Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York graduated from New York Theological Seminary with a Master of Professional Studies. For almost 40 years, NYTS has provided higher education degrees in theology to incarcerated men and has transformed the lives of over 400 graduates to date. The graduate program prepares men who come from diverse religious backgrounds to become leaders in spiritual service.

“The Sing Sing Correctional Facility and New York Theological Seminary are defining a new model for higher education,” said Rev. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond, President of NYTS. “We are so grateful to the Sing Sing Correctional Facility for their continued commitment to reducing recidivism and incarceration. Today marks the beginning of a new era of opportunity, for NYTS, to be a leader in progressive education for the 21st Century.”

The graduate program, established by former NYTS President Dr. George Webber in 1982, is the only interfaith

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religious education program in the New York prison system that is exclusively available at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The curriculum encompasses both theology and ministry and also empowers inmates to develop leadership skills to provide pastoral care upon their release. Candidates considering the program must have attained an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, demonstrated an ongoing commitment of faith and satisfied the other admission requirements set forth by NYTS. Once accepted, inmates participate in the 36-credit program five days a week, which allows them to complete their degree in one year. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada and is also registered with the New York State Department of Education.

initiated service programs and several are teaching college-level courses offered through Hudson Link, a nonprofit educational program developed by NYTS alumni that offers an accredited college degree program in several prisons in Southeastern New York.

Established in 1900, NYTS has prepared women and men for faithbased ministries in New York and throughout the world for over a Century.

Among its distinctive attributes is its emphasis on ministry and mission, its openness to both women and men and

the diversity of denominational and cultural traditions represented in its student body and alumni.

“The Sing Sing Correctional Facility and New York Theological Seminary are defining a new model for higher education.”  Rev. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond, President of NYTS

Graduates often go on to successfully serve in facilities throughout the state as chaplain assistants, peer counselors, or teachers. A number have used their leadership skills to launch inmate-

June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

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N AT I O N A L M I N O R I T Y S U P P L I E R C O U N C I L N A M E S N E W C H A I R M A N

Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall has been elected

Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). She was elected to a new two-year term during the board’s spring meeting in New York on May 17. LewisHall is currently Chief Patient Officer and Executive Vice President of Pfizer, Inc. “It’s an honor to be elected Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Minority Supplier Development Council. I’ve long admired NMSDC’s work to certify, develop, connect, and advocate for minority businesses, and I look forward to continuing its mission supporting industries and corporations to embrace diversity,” said Dr. Freda LewisHall.

During her 35-year career in medicine, Lewis-Hall has been on the frontlines of health care as a clinician, a researcher, and a leader in the biopharmaceuticals and life sciences industries. The common thread throughout has been her passion to advocate for health equity and improved outcomes for all patients.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Freda LewisHall as our board chair,” Adrienne Trimble, President and CEO of NMSDC, said. “She brings extensive experience developing programs and initiatives to address barriers in communities of color. I’m sure she will bring that same passion to advance the inclusion of entrepreneurs of color in the corporate supply chaiqssn. I look forward to her leadership in steering the NMSDC Board of Directors in supporting the mission and strategic direction of our organization.”

“It’s an honor to be elected Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Minority Supplier Development Council.”  Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall Before joining Pfizer in 2009, Lewis-Hall held senior leadership positions with Vertex, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmacia, and Eli Lilly and Company. Prior to joining the biopharmaceuticals and life sciences industries, she served as Vice Chairperson

F O R MER N YC M AYO R H ON ORE D BY

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) held its annual gala at the spectacular Central Park Zoo where 600 guests celebrated WCS’s impact on protecting the planet’s most ecologically important wild places and the extraordinary species that call them home.

Gala 2019 honored entrepreneur, philanthropist and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his dedication to conservation, protecting the world’s oceans and coral reefs, and combatting climate change.

Said WCS Chair Alejandro Santo Domingo: “Mike Bloomberg has demonstrated that a global leader taking local action can change the world. His commitment to protecting the world’s oceans and coral reefs from the effects of climate change and other threats has led to a fruitful partnership with WCS through the Vibrant Oceans initiative. Mike Bloomberg’s strong focus on climate change has been truly inspirational.”

Said Michael R. Bloomberg: “We must do all we can to leave our planet healthier and stronger than we found it. The Wildlife Conservation Society has been committed to that work for over 100 years. Thank you for this honor, and to everyone who has been a part of this mission – because your work is important now more than ever.”

WCS President and CEO Cristian Samper said: “As we work together to tackle the causes and impacts of climate change, we must embrace nature-based solutions like wetlands and forests that help to store carbon and enhance resilience to today’s storms. We must also work together to preserve wild places—nature’s strongholds on land and sea—that provide animals and people with protection, food, and shelter. Here at WCS, that’s exactly what we’re doing. As we approach our 125th anniversary in 2020, we can point to decades of successful, science-driven, fieldbased conservation impact in 60 countries around the world.”

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and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Howard University College of Medicine and was an advisor to the National Institute of Mental Health. Lewis-Hall graduated from Johns Hopkins University and earned her medical doctorate at Howard University College of Medicine.

Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall appears regularly on

NMSDC advances business opportunities for certified minority business enterprises and connects them to corporate members.

To meet the growing need for supplier diversity, NMSDC matches its more than 12,000 certified minority-owned businesses to our network of more than 1,750 corporate members who wish to purchase their products, services and solutions. NMSDC, a unique and specialized player in the field of minority business enterprise, is proud of its unwavering commitment to advance Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American suppliers in a globalized corporate supply chain.

HSBC Bank Donate s To Nation’s First

AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS MONUMENT HSBC Bank USA, N.A., (HSBC) today announced a $50,000 grant to the African American Veterans Monument, the nation’s first-ever memorial dedicated solely to honoring the military service of AfricanAmerican veterans and service members.

“African Americans have fought for their country in every military conflict since the Revolutionary War, and too often their contributions are underappreciated, as are the hardships they faced,” said Jennifer Stryrbel, Chief Operations Officer, HSBC USA. “Their bravery and sacrifice deserve a national memorial, and HSBC is honored to support the construction of such a memorial in Buffalo where so many HSBC employees and customers live and work.”

“African Americans have fought for their country in every military conflict since the Revolutionary War, and too often their contributions are underappreciated, as are the hardships they faced.”  Jennifer Stryrbel, CEO, HSBC USA.

WCS Chair Alejandro Santo Domingo; Michael R. Bloomberg; WCS President and CEO Cristian Samper at Gala 2019 at the Central Park Zoo. Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

health-related television programs in major global markets, including The Doctors and Dr. Phil. She also shares health and medical information through GetHealthyStayHealthy. com. She currently serves on numerous boards including SpringWorks Therapeutics, Dell Medical School, Harvard Medical School, FasterCures, the Foundation for the NIH, and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Construction of the African American Veterans Monument will begin this summer at a waterfront site in the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park. The design symbolizes the contributions of African Americans who have served or are currently serving in all five branches of the military, during war and in times of peace. When completed, a dozen 10-foot-tall black concrete pillars will represent each of the country’s military conflicts. The spacing between the pillars represent peacetimes between each war.

“The committee has worked tirelessly to develop the plans for the African American Veterans Monument and in two years, we have nearly reached our goals,” said Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly and spearhead of the initiative. “This donation from HSBC is a huge step in closing the gap and will allow us to begin construction this summer. We urge the community and both private and public sectors to support its completion, as

June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

we are so close to the finish line.”

Since 2016, the African American Veterans Monument Committee has been raising funds for this first-of-its-kind monument.

Today’s news brings the fundraising total to more than $1.44 million, 93 per cent of the total needed.

The Monument is on track to open to the public by Memorial Day in May 2020.

Contributions to honor an individual veteran are available through the purchase of an engraved brick paver that will line the walkways of the monument for $250.

Additional information on the African American Veterans Monument can be found at AAVMWNY.org or by calling (716) 800-1137.

HSBC Bank USA, National Association (HSBC Bank USA, N.A.) serves customers through retail banking and wealth management, commercial banking, private banking, and global banking and markets segments. It operates bank branches in: California; Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; Florida; Maryland; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Virginia; and Washington.

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is a Member of FDIC. Investment and brokerage services are provided through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., (Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC) and insurance products are provided through HSBC Insurance Agency (USA) Inc.

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide across 66 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of $2,659bn at 31 March 2019, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.

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P O L I T I C A L C O M M E N TA R Y

Searching For A Pasttime Paradise To Win?  By Justin A. Williams Political Editor

When I was a high school senior, I dedicated myself to exploring music from bygone eras. I had heard from the older members of my family that the music of the 80’s, 70’s, 60’s and older was just so much better than the music of today. With its more violent and materialistic content, with its lack of political or consciousness expanding awareness and with vocal performances that seem inorganic and manipulated, the music of today, to my family and to a wide swath of revisionist and nostalgic critics of the early 2000’s, was simply a falling away from the good ole days.

Like a rat after cheese I went through every album I could find, I adopted the look of a Led Zeppelin fan, the lingo of a Eugene Wilde fan and the political machinations of as many 60’s hippie bands as possible. I thought I was doing my family proud, I thought I was becoming a better person and most of all I thought I was doing something useful for the modern man in me. But the past is prologue for a reason, it's always cherished and seen with rose colored glasses. People who couldn’t give two cents to listen to the Rolling Stones are now somehow their biggest fans, people who would never go to woodstock now pine for its innocence and people who couldn’t name one member of the Eagles obsess over their unfortunate breakup. This is all to say that people, myself included, have a problem with a pastime paradise and you don’t have to look any further than this past week's political news to see that a prominent 2020 presidential candidate is at the center of controversy because of it.

So if we are choosing a candidate, let's choose one that reminds us of that, of the hard won victories and who stands against evil men; unless we want to see the past turn the present into anything but a paradise.

A pastime paradise evokes Stevie Wonder, who titled his classic song with those two words. His message: most people spend their lives looking and living backwards because its finite and can be manipulated however we wish it to be. Joe Biden this week manipulated a scary past in which Segregationists, a legislative party that was a de facto wing of the old southern democrats/ dixiecrat party that hoped for the end of the negro race and oppossed any and all civil rights legilsation. Biden mentioned how he used to work with James O. Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia, two high ranking members of Congress. Now Joe states plainly that he disagreed with them about almost everything, but that he appreciated the civility they displayed when they simply had to work together. These two men, who would give no quarter to an entire race of their changing America, horrible in their disposition and fear mongering in the tongue, O well, at least despite their dangerous and hateful policies they were civil to a fellow white man. Now I get it, Joe often makes gaffs that show he’s out of touch and these comments reveal a man who because of his whiteness can appreciate an enemy who looks like him. But for many, comparing the past in this way to a present in which, to Joe, the republican party is so uncivil that democrats cannot find a way to work with them with civility is stating that somehow republicans, all of whom admittedly problematic in their policy positions, are somehow worse to deal with than two pastime paradise men who pined for a pre-civil war America.

No Joe, as much as Congress has transformed into a place for postering before a media that is so vindictive and vigilant that comradery seems like treachery and cooperation across the aisle seems more like a risk of bad press than a good idea and yes I understand that Joe is a member of a great multitude of people his age and who lived before him who said the past

was a place for two to become one in a way the present can never be, still I lament his comments. But not because I think Joe didn't know any better, because Joe certainly does. No I lament them because people are acting as if seemingly everyone isn’t guilty of the same pastime paradise foraging.

Republicans constantly forage through the past for the glory days, for a junkyard of values, policies and tid bits to justify themselves currently and critique the present, what do you think Make America Great Again even means? In fact that was a slogan from a Ronald Reagan Campaign. Republicans have jumped on a Trumpian train heading straight back to 1950, a time that Candace Owens and other black conservatives can enlighten us about how surprisingly good they were for blacks, even though blacks who lived through those times say the exact opposite. It's a time when whites who were born in the 1980’s remark as a white picket fence and cool glass of lemonade on the porch type of America that won two world wars and was right for being in Vietnam, that was stopping communism and treating blacks better than anywhere else in the world, that was segregated but surely equal , at least equal enough, right?

The problem with the pastime paradise thinking is that its a human thing, not a republican or democratic thing. Adults pine for college when their midlife crisis hits harder than their sons or daughters can hit a preschool soccer ball. Teenagers pine for childhood cartoons and recess when the SAT or ACT hits harder than a bad case of

acne. Politicians pine for days of civility when they want to remove the guilt from their record as modern critics dissect everyone they've ever worked for or worked with. Its revisionism and it's not going anywhere. We are a memory making race and many memories require revisionism simply because, well, we don’t remember them enough/ correctly.

But Joe’s lack of care for how it would sound to laud any aspect of two politicians who wanted to manipulate the federal government to utterly crush all blacks is an example of Biden being far to comfortable being in the leader in the polls for the democratic nomination.

It's a mistake that comes with leeway, and a long rope called forgiveness that Joe thinks he has since people love him more for his electability in a world where Trump must be beaten no matter what than they will be inclined to choose to support Sen. Sanders or Sen. Harris or any of the other 21 candidates on the democratic side. But I urge you to read this article, to consider why the past does sometimes deserve our nostalgia.

Great deeds were done in spite of the two segregationists Biden so extols, this country began to live up to its lofty promises and ideals, finally, up from slavery came a black lead movement that moved the hearts, mind, money and policy of whites for the sake of good. So if we are choosing a candidate, let's choose one that reminds us of that, of the hard won victories and who stands against evil men; unless we want to see the past turn the present into anything but a paradise.

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VOLUME 29 ISSUE 16

June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

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Happy. Healthy. Loved. These are the dreams we have for our children.

So we cherish the moments when little giggles fill the room, imaginations take us on great adventures, and when it seems our hearts could burst with pride and love.

Here and now, we’d stop time if we could. Because when kids are being kids, we all feel better.

Let’s get every child covered.

If your child needs health insurance, Fidelis Care is just a call, click, or visit away.

Call: 1-888-FIDELIS Click: fideliscare.org/everychildcovered Visit: A Fidelis Care community office near you. Search for locations at fideliscare.org/offices

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)

TTY: 711

To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

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June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

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ENTER TAINMENT

B OBBY BROW N F O O D S & VA L L A RTA SU P ER MA R K ETS Announce Distribution Deal

Entertainer, entrepreneur and Grammy award-winning singer, Bobby Brown and his wife Alicia Etheredge-Brown have inked a distribution deal with Vallarta Supermarkets to distribute Bobby Brown Foods (BBF), it was announced today. Bobby Brown Foods is now available in 50 Vallarta stores throughout California.

On June 22, 2019 Brown will make a personal appearance and share his culinary skills during a grillingdemonstration at the Vallarta Supermarket, 8201 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park, CA from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. He will be preparing tri-tip and chicken along with grilled veggies for shoppers to sample, using his favorite recipes and spices.

“We are excited about the affiliation with Vallarta Supermarkets and proud to provide shoppers with our gluten free,

vegan friendly, non-GMO, kosher spices that are beneficial to a healthy diet,” stated Bobby and Alicia Brown. “As a local manufacturer, we pride ourselves doing business with local markets that care about quality, service and diversity.

Bobby Brown Foods and Vallarta Supermarkets are family-based companies whose goals are giving the best to the community.”

“Vallarta customers enjoy preparing and sharing homemade meals with family and friends. Bobby Brown Foods products align with this philosophy of home cooked meals,” stated Dale Harmon, Director of Grocery Merchandising for Vallarta Supermarkets. “As Vallarta works to engage new customers and expand our community reach we look forward to having Bobby Brown Foods as part of our diverse product lineup. Bobby’s

line of sauces, seasonings and hot sauce make any meal exciting and will enhance the quality meat products purchased in our carneceria.”

Brown, together with his wife and partner, Alicia, launched the sauce and seasoning line in 2014, and have appeared on national television shows and media outlets including, The Real, The View, Dr. Oz, Access Hollywood, The Chew, SiriusXM Radio, Essence Music Festival, and in Real Health and Black Enterprise Magazines. Since its launch, BBF has expanded its brand online, and has also become a favorite sell-out at major events including the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Circle of Sisters Annual Convention in New York, and Taste of Soul Family Festival in Los Angeles.

Brown, who says he’s the primary cook at home, has always loved being in the

kitchen. “It’s the one thing I do better than singing and dancing,” says Brown.

NEW SHORT FILM IMAGINES AN AMERICA WHERE ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED With states recently passing abortion bans, the new short film “It Happened One Night” gives a realistic depiction of what the future of America will be if state legislators continue to follow suit.

a realistic depiction of what the future of America will be if state legislators continue to follow suit….

The short, showcased at the Global Women in Film Corner at Cannes Film Festival, examines an America that has overthrown Roe v. Wade and has turned a blind eye to sexual assault victims.

The pro-choice short film was written, directed and produced by Jabreé Webber; a recent graduate of the University of Southern California with an MFA in the Film and TV Production.

Starring General Hospital’s Paulina Bugembe and Drumline: A New Beat’s Duain Richmond, the film highlights a distressing decision for a Black woman with an unintended pregnancy in the aftermath of sexual assault. Incorporating the conversations of #MeToo and #ProChoice, this film personifies the negative consequences that could occur with state legislatures banning abortion.

Set in 2022, the ten minute short follows Bugembe’s character Tia as she grapples with a tough reality after returning home from a scheduled procedure. Unbeknownst to Daniel, her fiancé portrayed by Richmond, Tia's choice inspires a point of contention for the couple who would otherwise be happily in love. With the pressures of the outside world rising, the couple struggles to maintain their relationship and are forced to make a hard decision about their future together.

“It Happened One Night” gives

“In this film, I explore the influence of money and power as it pertains to sexual assault and the survivors' livelihood,” said filmmaker Jabreé Webber. “Additionally, I explore the topic of sexual assault and how it affects survivors in their day-to-day, interpersonal relationships.”

This film is important and timely as state

legislators across the country continue to pass laws banning abortions without any exceptions for rape or incest. The film links key issues of pro-choice and sexual assault as it illustrates a possible outcome for women in America as these new state laws pose a severe threat to overturning Roe V. Wade by the Supreme Court.

“I am utilizing my voice and talent to raise awareness around this issue,” said Webber. “This film is a piece about social issues that affect our country as a whole.”

allowed her to discover her love for film-making. Whether acting, writing or directing - Jabreé aspires to combine her love for being behind and in front of the camera in the same ways that her mentors have. Jabreé aspires to utilize her talents in order to impact social change and enrich young people while also transcending social inequalities.

“It Happened One Night” has also been selected to be showcased at the Global Impact Film Festival and Independent Short Awards.

Jabreé Webber is a fearless artist with an incomparable drive, distinctive approach and charismatic nature. The Detroit native graduated high school at the young age of 16 and is an honors graduate of the University of Southern California's School of Dramatic Arts and the School of Cinematic Arts' MFA Film and TV Production program. The artist’s exposure to different types of storytelling

NYC Chancellor Makes Historic Announcement Of Social Emotional Learning In All Schools (cont'd from cover) or violent incidents.

The partnership with Sanford Harmony will provide elementary schools citywide access to an SEL curriculum for the first time. SEL curricula build on successful existing RJ models in Districts 5, 12, 16 and 18 which recognize that students don’t simply learn math and English during their education, but that their time at school shapes how they interact with other people and themselves.

Through intra- and interpersonal relationship lessons and activities, SEL helps students develop better control of their feelings and social skills to complement the academic lessons learned in classrooms.

Aspects of SEL are already part of the

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City’s universal Pre-K programs, where students learn to identify and communicate their emotions and deal with stress. Now, elementary schools will receive training and materials relevant for students at every grade level. Lessons and activities include daily meet-ups for students to engage with each other and a “buddy-up” system for students to learn how to get along with others.

Middle and high schools across the city will reinforce SEL tenets by implementing Restorative Justice practices. RJ practices de-emphasize the reliance on solely traditional punitive discipline.

Instead, students are also encouraged to

activate SEL skills by focusing on emotion identification, conflict resolution and problem solving. The use of these skills becomes part of a school’s daily practice. Students are trained to become leaders in their own lives and adults are trained in the restorative framework, recognizing that outside factors often have significant impacts on a student’s day-to-day response, and those responses must be addressed through multiple approaches. RJ helps develop the proactive use of SEL to reduce issues of conflict within the school.

Additionally, 50 of the City’s middle schools will take part in Positive Learning Collaborative (PLC) programming, a

June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

restorative approach to school climate developed in collaboration with the United Federation of Teachers. All 50 schools will receive training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools (TCIS) and additional support in an area of need. A smaller cadre of schools will become partner schools, and in addition to TCIS training will also receive on-site coaching, support to implement community circles and access to a behavior specialist who will guide them in the process. The goal is to help every adult in a PLC school—from teachers to custodians to principals—cultivate strong relationships with students so school communities can shortcircuit many problems before they start and prevent others from escalating.

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ENTER TAINMENT

B R O A D W AY M U S E U M C o m i n g T o T i m e s S q u a r e

It has been announced that the M u s e u m of Br oad way will launch in Times Square, New York City in 2020. The pop-up museum’s unique exhibits will create rich, immersive, visual experiences that take fans on a journey from the birth of Broadway through present day – and everything in between. Visitors will be treated to a one-of-a-kind Broadway experience perfect for all ages.

The pop-up will focus on three main components: the expansion and evolution of the theatre district from lower Manhattan to Times Square; the making of a Broadway show, spotlighting the multitude of behind-the-scenes roles that bring Broadway plays and musicals to life every night; and the “gamechangers” — the landmark musicals through the decades that continually challenged and re-defined the very idea of what a Broadway show could be.

a Broadway show, and now with this new pop-up museum, visitors can further immerse themselves in the history and legacy of one of our City’s most iconic draws,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon.

“If New York is the cultural capital of the world, then Broadway is its heart and soul—drawing nearly 15

million people a year to shows they have dreamed about seeing, and inspiring others to make a go of the Broadway dream themselves,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman who represents New York’s 27th District, which covers much of the heart of Manhattan, including Times Square.

“The new Museum of Broadway will give tourists and residents alike the opportunity to experience so much

of what Broadway has to offer and pay homage to a quintessentially New York institution. I’m thrilled to be a part of this effort and look forward to visiting the museum with my family when it opens.”

The Museum will be presented by three time Tony-nominated producer, Julie Boardman, of Untitled Theatricals and Boardman Productions and President of Rubik Marketing, Diane Nicoletti.

“We look forward to crafting an interactive exhibition for people of all ages to engage with Broadway’s history, get an inside look at how a show is created, and celebrate the community of artists whose work has transformed Broadway and shaped its legacy over the last 100 years,” Boardman explained.

To learn more about the Museum of Broadway please visit www. themuseumofbroadway.com and @museumbroadway on social.

More information about the Museum of Broadway will be announced soon including location and individual and group ticketing information.

“We are excited to welcome the new Museum of Broadway to Times Square in 2020. No visit to New York City is complete without seeing

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ENTER TAINMENT

“TWISTED MELODIES” Tells Donny Hathaway Life Story The Apollo Theater graciously asked me to come and review a play they are featuring entitled “Twisted Melodies” about the life of Donny Hathaway.

Hathaway was a musical genius plagued by mental illness in the form of paranoid schizophrenia. His diagnosis was severe and medicine only served to exacerbate the illness. In fact it retarded him, taking him on a journey of frenzied highs and devastating lows.

The causes of schizophrenia are complicated and still being researched.

There is some thought that heredity may play a role. Research does show that genetics may deem who is more likely to develop schizophrenia or other similar mental illnesses that produce hallucinations or cause the sufferer to separate from reality. A viral illness in childhood could affect the way the brain developed. Also, the brain’s neurotransmitters, which are the key to nerve cell communication may have caused some sort of imbalance with communication within the brain. Drug use, as well as lack of oxygen to the brain are also factors that could lead to schizophrenia.

Harlem’s Apollo Theater premiered this one-man play under the directorship of Derrick Sanders, the lighting of Alan C. Edwards and the marvelous stage design of Courtney O’Neill.

“Twisted Melodies,” written by and starring brilliant singer and performer Kelvin Roston, Jr., imagined the final

days of Donny Hathaway. Kelvin was outstanding in the role, masterfully bringing to life the tormented soul of Donny Hathaway whose life and career was plagued with bouts of paranoid schizophrenia. Kelvin took the viewer inside the world of Donny Hathaway.

He made you feel Donny and even sympathize with his plight as Donny tried to put together the jumbled pieces of his life. Haunted by paranoia, voices, noises, high pitched frequencies, apparitions, shadows and ghosts locked in his mind, schizophrenia played havoc on Hathaway’s life, marriage, friendships and career which were often at a crossroad.

Mr. Roston takes the viewer through Hathaway’s early beginnings in gospel and later jazz, blues, and soul, and via character building episodes with his grandmother. He sang the hits Donny had with Roberta Flack “The Closer I Get to You” and “Where is the Love?" which won them a Grammy in 1973. Hathaway’s hits included “This Christmas,” “Someday We’ll All Be Free” and “A Song for You.” Donny was both an arranger and studio musician for artists such as Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, and the Staples Singers.

Roston was so masterful in his control of the stage, he began a song that so moved the men in the audience they became his impromptu backup singers.

Their bass voices harmonizing so beautifully you felt like you were being

MOVIE REVIEW: MA 

G et h o m e saf e w i t h Ma .

Image used from slashfilm.com

Octavia Spencer has had a very interesting career. After winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2012, she has gone on to star in many high profile

films such as Snowpiercer, Hidden Figures, Zootopia and The Shape of Water. But before she was such a high profile actress, Octavia Spencer mostly worked smaller roles in films most notably in horror. She had small, even barely noticeable roles in Pulse, Drag Me To Hell and Rob Zombie’s Halloween II, the latter being only a decade ago. Things have changed so quickly for the talented actress.

Now Spencer returns to the horror genre this time as the main star and villain in the titular Ma. Will her foray into horror villain be successful, or should Spencer have stayed away?

The story for Ma is like the character’s

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false nature: it only wants to play it safe.

The story follows Maggie, a teenager who has moved with her mother back to her old home town. She quickly makes friends and in an attempt to get alcohol befriend a woman named Sue Ann who is incredibly generous and kind to them, so much so

that she offers to open up her basement as a place for them to drink and party.

Soon Sue Ann’s home becomes the local hang out for all the high school students and she earns the nickname Ma. However after a few disturbing events the kids begin to move further away from Sue Ann which ends up making her more and more dangerous. On the surface Ma comes off as a simple stalker film and unfortunately for the film and us it mostly is. Things start off rather slow with the kids and Sue Ann getting to know each other more and more, it honestly begins more like a drama then a horror film. But once it becomes clear that something is wrong with Sue Ann things begin begins to steadily spiral into

taken to church. In fact, these audience members were so incredible they could have auditioned for the Apollo Talent Night and all won. Like a choir director, Roston never flinched. Leading the men on as if it were the most natural thing for the audience to become part of the play. It was a remarkable!

I was so impressed by this outstanding performance of a man who both suffered for and had great joy in his art. I encourage people to get their tickets since the play has a limited engagement. It runs from Thursday, May 30 to Sunday June 2nd. The Thursday and Friday shows are at 8:00 pm and the Saturday, June 1st show is at 3:00 and 8:00 pm. The play ends Sunday, June 2nd, with a 3:00 performance.

By Jonathan Gonzalez a horror film. Honestly the pacing is quite good allowing us time to get to know the characters and establish the relationship with Sue Ann and the others. Be that as it may once the film finally forms into a horror film things become rather generic and even predictable. Sure it’s still a well made horror film with some decently tense moments and the third act itself is very exciting and makes for a very good, grand finale but it really does feel like “been there, done that” and in a time when horror films are better, smarter and more creative then they’ve been in years and especially coming from the auteurs at Blumhouse I expected so much more. The story does have potential and even lightly touches on some interesting ideas. Unfortunately it doesn’t try to go for that potential, those “lightly touched ideas” come far too late.

The characters for Ma are mostly forgettable Sue Ann is a very good horror villain. Her initial kind and generous demeanor does a good job of masking her true self and even threw myself off guard for a moment.

Despite her height and age she still manages to be an incredibly intimidating and imposing character in her moments of rage and in her quieter moments such as her manipulating the kids are rather unsettling. But Sue Ann is far more then a villain meant to be feared, in fact Sue Ann is one of the most sympathetic villains I’ve seen in a very long time. Throughout

June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

Donny Hathaway fell from the window of his 15th floor room at New York’s’ Essex House Hotel on January 13, 1979.

He was 33. Given the hell he went through it would not be inconceivable that Donny committed suicide as ruled by the coroner. However, many of his family and friends suggest it was simply an accident.

Tickets for Twisted Melodies are available now at the Apollo Theater Box Office. Located at 253 West 125th St in Manhattan. Call: (212) 531-5305, and/ or Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Go see “Twisted Melodies,” it is truly a great Apollo offering. I highly recommend it.

the film there are flashbacks of Sue Ann as a teenager and what sent her on the path to becoming who she is. While I feel they could have gone further and more grim with these flashbacks they still do an excellent job of framing the character. It isn’t long before you learn why she clings to these kids, why she has violent out bursts and before you know it you actually find yourself rooting for her from time to time.

The only flaw in her character is that the writers wanted to make Sue Ann a victim of racism, seeing that she’s lived her life in a predominately white, Podunk town but it only comes into play in the last ten minutes and as such doesn’t work which is a shame because it only would have made the sad, tragic story of Sue Ann even stronger and herself even more of a likable character.

That being said I would honestly love to see Sue Ann in another film. If the likes of Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers and The Stepfather could find ways to come back surely Sue Ann as an idea or two up her sleeve.

Maggie is an OK character. She’s more a typical horror movie hero: selfless, noble, wants to help everyone, etc, etc. She isn’t bad but she is bland, I honestly had to wrack my brains to think of anything to talk about her character but I keep coming up with nothing.

The remaining cast of characters aren’t even worth mentioning. They exist to take up space and that’s about it. Heck, calling them paper thin would actually be giving them too much depth. There were far too many moments where I forgot most of these characters even existed and time and

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HE ALTH

NEW REPO RT on H e a lt h of O l d e r A du lts i n NYC

The NYC Health Department has

released a report examining the health of older adults in New York City. The report summarizes the current health status of older adults, ages 65 and older, in NYC. The report, developed in collaboration with 12 local government, academic, health care, and community basedorganizations, demonstrates the Health Department’s commitment to helping make New York City a place where everyone has the opportunity to age in good health and with dignity.

Older New Yorkers currently make up 13% of the city’s population.

The number of older New Yorkers is expected to grow by over 41% from 1,002,000 in 2010 to 1,410,000 by 2040. Life expectancy in New York City is 81.2 years, 2.5 years longer than the national average. About half (49%) of older New Yorkers were born outside the U.S, coming from 130 different countries and speaking over 90 languages. The findings in this report reflect the cumulative health effects of racism, discrimination, and other injustices that have resulted in a lack of access to education, good jobs and the ability to build wealth for older adults of color, with lower incomes, and immigrants.

lesbian, gay, or bisexual.  Older adults who identify as Latino (27%) or Asian/Pacific/Islander (26%) are more likely to live below the poverty level compared with those who identify as Black (19%) or White (17%).  17% of older adults in New York City report being a caregiver and many help raise grandchildren.  39% of older New Yorkers engage in 150 minutes or more of moderate exercise per week.  About one-third of older New Yorkers report having one or more

insurance:  6% sometimes go without needed health care. 12% are sometimes unable to afford the medications they need.  Communities and health care providers can support the health of older adults by creating opportunities for safe physical activity and reducing risks for injury inside and outside the home: In 2016, falls among older New Yorkers led to 289 deaths, 30,492 emergency department visits, and 16,661 hospital stays.

sexual partners in the last year; 52% of older men and 26% of older women report being sexually active in the past year.  6% of White older adults reported using a condom the last time they had sex compared to 16% of Black or Latino older adults.  Although 97% of older New Yorkers are covered by some form of health

Older adults are more likely to die from pedestrian injuries than any other age group in New York City.  Communicable disease among older adults remains an important health challenge: Older adults have a higher risk of getting influenza and pneumonia than adults under age 65, and they are more likely to suffer serious

“Structural barriers based on race and ethnicity affect health over the course of an individual’s life,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “Healthy aging is not a luxury only for those who can afford it.

Healthy aging is a right for all New Yorkers.”

“New Yorkers are living longer than ever, and while many flourish, others experience a variety of significant health issues,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “This report helps define the changing needs of older New Yorkers so that in partnership with our sister-City agencies, we can work to meet these needs and best serve this growing demographic.”

Data Highlights from the Report:

 40% of older New Yorkers identify as men and 60% as women.  3% of older New Yorkers identify as

consequences from or die from these diseases. More than half of Legionella cases in New York City occur among older adults. Among people living with HIV/ AIDS in New York City, one in ten are older adults.  Dental problems adversely impact quality of life for many older adults: Four in ten older adults have lost six or more teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease.

The Health Department continues to work with its partners through current programs to improve older adult health. Examples of current programs include:  The Geriatric Mental Health Initiative (GMHI) is administered under the Office of Treatment in the Division of Mental Health and funded by the City Council; the goal of GMHI is to improve the capacity of community-based organizations to identify depression and alcohol/ substance use disorders among older adults and to connect those in need with support services and/or treatment or to provide those support and treatment services. There are 22 community based organizations participating in this initiative.  Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives for Seniors (PEARLS), is an evidence-based model that has been shown to be effective in older adults with depression. The PEARLS intervention reduces depression symptoms and improves quality of life in older adults, over the course of 6-8 in-home sessions, over a period of six months.

The Program has been available in NYC since, July 1, 2016, and has 9 teams, operated by 4 community based organizations, across all 5 Boroughs  DOHMH’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program in the Division of Environmental Health collaborates with DFTA in: training DFTA’s Case Managers on falls prevention in the home; conducting outreach and education with DOHMH’s Home Safety Checklist; and co-chairing New York City’s Falls Prevention Coalition.

REVENGE BODY Redefines Revenge in Season 3 The Revenge Body With Khloe Kardashian season 3 will premiere (Sunday, July 7 at 9 p.m.) And, after taking a look at the latest teaser above, we couldn’t be more excited. Per the new footage, Khloe Kardashian‘s transformation series will “redefine” revenge. Not only will contestants shed pounds with the help of Revenge Body‘s trusted trainers, but the participants will also bulk up on muscle.

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“I only know how to do skinny,” one male participant admitted in a confessional. Nonetheless, fitness and lifestyle consultant Ashley Borden assured her client that he could put on about 30 pounds. Of course, this won’t occur without some “blood, sweat and cheers.“ “It’s not just about today.

It’s about the rest of your life,” former professional rugby player Luke Milt on wisely noted on camera.

All of this wouldn’t be possible without the wise guidance of Revenge Body‘s host. True story. “You look amazing,” a contestant noted to Kardashian.

“Honey, I’m trying to keep up with you,” the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star happily responded.

For all of this and more, be sure to watch the new promo above! Watch the season 3 premiere of Revenge Body With Khloe Kardashian Sunday, July 7 at 9 p.m., only on E!

June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 9

HE ALTH TWENTYEIGHT HEALTH Increases Access to Contraceptives While Giving Back to Those in Need Nearly 20 million women in the US live in contraceptive deserts, today Twentyeight Health announced the launch of their digital health platform that will empower women to choose how and where they can get sexual and reproductive health services by breaking down obstacles to access birth control. Lead by female and male cofounders, Amy Fan and Bruno Van Tuykom, and based in Brooklyn, NY, Twentyeight Health will launch with their birth control offering to women in NY and NJ this month and will roll out national availability in months to come.

They plan to expand in additional areas as a continual companion for women’s sexual and reproductive health.

Amy’s inspiration to start a digital health platform began while leading an e-commerce skincare and beauty startup where she immersed herself in learning about the needs, pain points and aspirations of different women when it comes to beauty. Her desire to bring a human-centric approach to healthcare, putting the patient first lead her to a partnership with Bruno Van Tuykom. Bruno’s work with The Gates Foundation leading efforts to increase access to healthcare in developing country settings (primarily focused on Family Planning, Malaria and HIV) inspired him to come together with Amy to address the opportunity of telemedicine and a direct-to-consumer approach to bring down the access barriers to women’s health.

Twentyeight Health Founder Amy Fan states, “I want to bring a user-centric approach to healthcare. My previous experience was in beauty, where everything we create is in service to the customer. Why is this different in healthcare when the impact on users is even greater? This is why we created

a model that allows users to connect with doctors right away through secure messages or an audio consultation, and keep that connection throughout.

Speaking to over 100 women from their teens to late thirties, I realized we all have questions that come up as we use birth control and we want to make it easier for women to get trust answers from real doctors.”

now. The convenience and opportunity to help patients through virtual devices has been enlightening. I chose to be a part of Twentyeight Health because of its women’s health platform. The ease of access and open communication with the patients/members allows for better care and management of their birth control needs, and hopefully other women’s health issues in the future.”

“I want to bring a user-centric approach to healthcare.”

Here’s how it works: Users fill out a quick medical questionnaire and are connected to a doctor, whether by scheduling an audio consultation or secure asynchronous messaging. At that point, all the hard work is done by the patient. The doctor writes a prescription for eligible patients within 48 hours and the medication is dispensed and delivered in one to three days. Patients can message their doctor at anytime, whether it is about a side effect, wanting to explore other brands, or any other questions related to their birth control experience.

- TWENTYEIGHT HEALTH FOUNDER AMY FAN Given the difficulty in access, whether it be getting doctor’s appointments, pharmacists who refused to dispense birth control pills, and/or lack of or inadequate insurance, multiple barriers exist that prevent women from obtaining contraceptives or using them effectively and consistently. Twentyeight Health bypasses those potential barriers.

Through partnerships with The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and Nonprofits like Bedsider, Twentyeight Health is increasing access to those who need it most.

Twentyeight Health provides affordable out of pocket options and takes insurance. They are committed to providing access to birth control in a safe, personalized and affordable way.

Twentyeight Health physician partner Stella Gandhi, MD states, "I have been involved with telemedicine for years

MOVIE REVIEW: MA  time again the shock of seeing a character who I forgot all about was more alarming then the film’s jump scares. It’s clear all the attention was given to the character of Sue Ann, as it should, but without memorable or likable characters to support the film really just comes off more as a one woman show.

Acting for Ma is carried solely by one person Octavia Spencer gives an excellent performance as Sue Ann. From the simple start Spencer is captivating and as the film goes on she gets better and better.

Spencer makes for a frightening villain and is effective whenever she is driven to anger and violence. But the moments where we’re meant to sympathize with Sue Ann are even better. Not only are these moments moving but she creates such empathy for her character that the idea that she’s on the brink of a violent rampage is non-existent.

She even manages to have quite a few

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darkly humorous moments that honestly had me chuckling. It truly is one of her most entertaining performances and I am so happy she not only made a return to horror but stepped out of her comfort zone to play the villain. Even with all of Ma’s flaws, and there are many, Spencer’s performance alone was more then worth the price of admission.

Diana Silvers’ career has only just begun but already she’s hit the ground running.

A little over a week ago she had a small, but still very memorable, role in the excellent Booksmart and is now one of the leads in a major horror film. Sadly Silvers’ performance in Ma isn’t as good as her last role but even so she still does a decent job.

I can’t even lay anything at her feet as she isn’t given strong material to work with as the film is a vehicle for Spencer. Granted Spencer is the reason why the film works but giving her co-stars better material could have made the film better. That said it still ins’t a bad performance and I look forward

Additionally, Twentyeight Health has doctor-vetted sexual education content publicly available. Currently, only 13 states require that the material taught in sexual education in school be medically accurate. The reality of sex education and access to reproductive care in the U.S. has put pressure on nonprofits and other health organizations to fill in the gap. Twentyeight Health partners with independent physicians to educate and provide the knowledge women need to make their own decisions about sex and

sexual health.

Physician partner Laura Korin, MD, MPH states, “I choose to take part in the Twentyeight Health Platform because it is truly providing the best care for women’s birth control needs.

The platform is effective because it obtains a woman’s medical history and allows the doctors to interact with the patient regarding this information to make the best evidence-based decision on which birth control is best for them and alleviates any patient concerns or questions they may have. The value for me as a physician is that I am helping women get the birth control they want in a safe, healthful way, and when sometimes, due to a woman’s medical history, birth control pills aren’t the best option for them, I am supported in making that medical decision by Twentyeight Health and have that autonomy to make the best medical decision in order to maintain that woman’s health.”

Twentyeight Health’s goal is to create an ecosystem that can help all women.

The first of its kind, mission driven telemedicine startup, Twentyeight Health donates two percent of profits to NIRH and Bedsider, two national non-profits focused on increasing access to sexual and reproductive care and education. This means that every woman on their platform is also supporting other women in need. The ultimate win-win.

By Jonathan Gonzalez (cont'd from page 4) to seeing Silvers in her next project.

Juliette Lewis does a fine job as Maggie’s mother Erica. Lewis comes as simply being there for most of the film, of course her character does have to run off to work and training seminars for the first two acts. By the third act she finally has more to work with and as such gives a solid, albeit brief, performance.

Luke Evans plays the father of one of the kids as well as the main source of Sue Ann’s rage and misery. Like Lewis, Evans’ performance is brief but is still well done and memorable. Though I must admit he could be distracting as his moments caused my mind to drift to other films where he played a villain though these only lasted for a minute or two.

The rest of the supporting cast is completely forgettable. Silvers, Lewis and Evans all lucked out because of they had little to work with then these kids had

June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

nothing at all. They were flat, dull as wood and painfully forgettable but it isn’t their fault. What can they do? They show up, make a group and that’s that.

Final Thoughts: Ma isn’t a great film however it still is pretty good. The story is generic but still has it’s moments such as a truly good third act, Sue Ann is a great villain and Octavia Spencer’s performance was so excellent that she managed to carry the film through it’s weakest moments.

Some of the supporting cast do well when they finally have something to work with though the side characters are still bland.

Over all the film itself is no classic but Spencer is still incredibly entertaining and Sue Ann definitely deserves to becoming a recurring villain, the two of them are that good!

VERDICT: 2.5/5

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ENDNO TE S

C L A R K AT L A N TA U C O A C H H O S T S “ A R T S F O R AT H L E T E S ” F U N D R A I S E R

George Lynch, 12-year NBA veteran (Lakers, 76ers, Hornets) and former UNC-Chapel Hill NCAA champion, invites the Atlanta community to participate in Arts for Athletes on Friday, May 31 from 5 – 11 p.m. at The Westside Cultural Arts Center (760 10th Street, NW). The evening’s events include live and silent auctions; a roundtable with professional athletes; and cocktails, dancing and conversation. Tickets

The original event was launched by former CAU coach and NBA veteran Darrell Walker. Money raised allows coaches to provide much-needed, valuable resources for players, including equipment, meals and tutors. Spearheading this fundraiser is right in Lynch’s wheelhouse. He is passionate about providing his players with critical experience and tools to support them in achieving lifetime success both on and off

there is a huge disparity between seemingly unlimited funding and alumni support that drives Division I schools and the limited resources that plague Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) athletic programs.

After experiencing both sides, my goal is to level the playing field. This starts with raising vital funds.”

The Arts for Athletes roundtable discussion and live auction will

has amassed an impressive list of participants, including Honorary CoChairs Keinon Johnson, VP of Urban Promotions at Interscope Records and Jasmine Burke, actress (Bounce TV’s “Saints & Sinners); former National Football League (NFL) player Takeo Spikes, DL Warfield, Fahamu Pecou, Charly Palmer, Kevin Cole, Sheila Pree Bright, Monica Tookes, Cecil Bernard, Fabian Williams, Muhammad Yungai, Derrick Phillips, Alvin Dante Yarbrough, Reginald Laurent, Sean Haynes, Melissa Mitchell, J.R. Outlaw, Zerric Clinton, AW (Andrew Williams), C Flux Sing (Craig Singleton), EuGene Byrd, Terion Montgomery, Dubelyoo, Ronald V. Sullivan, and more.

Additionally, panelists and confirmed guests include: former NFL players Vonnie Holliday, Ryan Stewart, Alge Crumpler and Stevie Baggs, Jr.; NBA veterans Theo Ratliff and Antonio Harvey; Kiesha Brown (WNBA); Greg Moore (SIAC Commissioner); and Pastor/Bestselling Author/ International Speaker Anthony Murray.

CAU basketball coach shooting to raise money for program through art may be purchased by visiting: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-forathletes-cocktails-auction-fundraisertickets-56943870 650. A limited number of sponsorship and in-kind opportunities are still available.

In its third year, Arts for Athletes is the signature fundraiser for the CAU Men’s Basketball program.

the court. This commitment led him to earn the CAU Panthers a number three seed in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in just his first year as head coach. “Playing for UNC’s legendary Coach Dean Smith was an experience that not only made me a better player, it now makes me a better coach,” said Lynch. “Unfortunately,

be hosted by retired Coca-Cola executive and UNC alumna Lisa Fey. The evening of cocktails, hosted by Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns, will also feature live and silent auctions in a networking setting. In addition to art, the auction will include unique experience packages.

This year’s Arts for Athletes soiree

Through his Flight Nine foundation, Coach Lynch has helped mentor, support and raise money for student-athletes since 2006. From basketball camps and clinics to assisting with financial support for youth basketball programs and scholarships, Flight Nine’s efforts have motivated thousands of youth and assisted countless others to excel in competitive sports and life. For full details about the Arts for Athletes fundraiser to benefit the Clark Atlanta University men’s basketball team, visit: www.flight-9.com.

AUDRA MCDONALD at the Tony ’s

Audra McDonald

attended and presented at the Tony Awards last night wearing Halston’s One Shoulder Drape Front Satin Gown.

Made from luxurious heavy crepe fabric, this gown features a one shoulder silhouette and is enhanced with a laser cut satin flounce drape at the front and back of the neckline that cascades down to a high side slit.

Sexy yet elegant, this gown is timeless. Shop the look at halston.com, $475.

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June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

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how well do you know these

girls?

Learn more about your breast health at

KnowYourGirls.org

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June 27, 2019 - July 3, 2019

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