New York Trend NYC: December 17-23, 2020

NEW YORK TREND Serving New York City, Nassau & Suffolk Counties

NYC

THE ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE

$1.00

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

newyorktrendnyc.com

THE ALTERNATIVE VOLUMEPERSPECTIVE 26 ISSUE 40

Since 1989 NYC $1.00 newyorktrendnyc.com

December 17, 2015 - December 23, 2015

VOLUME 30 ISSUE 44

Since 1989

December 17th, 2020 - December 23rd, 2020

C E L E B R AT I N G HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 30

NAACP SUES PRESIDENT FOR TRYING TO The Black Stars News 2015 Annual

YEARS!

York and a former chancellor of the Awards Dinner will honor Mayor New York public schools system.

David Dinkins, Rep. Charles Pioneering producers Stephen Rangel, Clarke, THE NAACP hasRep. suedYvette President have repeatedly gotten thrown out the NAACP Legal Defense and Byrd and Alia Jones, through their Donahue Peebles, Barbara of court and no judge has found any Trump,R.his presidential campaign, Educational Fund (LDF), on behalf Frontequality Row Production, social,company and economic of Arnwine, Inez Barron, Sabrina evidence of election fraud, we cannot of the Michigan Welfare Rights and the Republican National brought “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” rights in order to eliminate raceLamb,(RNC) Dr. Rudy Committee in theCrew, U.S. Stephen sit back and let these actions go Organization and three Detroit and “A Streetcar Named based discrimination and ensureDesire” the District Court for Jones, the District of Centralunaccounted for. residents.

Byrd, Alia and the

with a multi-ethnic cast to health and well-being of all persons.

Columbia systematically Parkfor Five survivors oftrying gross to injustice In order to protect the constitutional Founded in 1909 in response to Broadway.

In 2016 In media attributions, pleasethey referbring to disenfranchise Black 18 voters in 6:00pm states – rights of millions of Black Americans, on December from the ongoing violence against Black “Eclipsed” with Oscar Winner us as the NAACP. across10:00pm the country. at MIST Harlem, 46 West Lupita Nyong ’O to Broadway.

116th Street.

The lawsuit alleges that President Honorees, the so-called Central Trump,“Each the Trump campaign, honoree chosen and for the Park 5, are collectively and RNC have engagedhas in ademonstrated coordinated recognition individually heroes. They are conspiracy to disenfranchise exceptional leadership and vision in survivors of one of the ugliest David Dinkins Charles Rangel Black voters her or by hisdisrupting respectivevoteprofession or miscarriage of justice in New York’s counting efforts,and lodging groundless endeavor in some significant history; having been railroaded majority.

She now leads The was a member of the New York challenges during andtowards measure hasrecounts, contributed and unjustly convicted for a crime Transformative Justice Coalition.

City Council, representing the attempting to block certification of in this creating a more just society th they did not commit and for which Arnwine was for 26 years executive 40 council district in Brooklyn, election results through intimidation country,” says Black Star News they served long prison sentences director of the Lawyers’ Committee succeeding her mother, Una S. and coercion of and election officialsMilton and founder publisher th ranging from seven years to 13 years for Civil Rights Under the Law. T. Clarke. In the current 114 volunteers.

Allimadi. “Obviously much work before being exonerated when the Congress Clarke serves on Inez Barron, honoree, formerly a be done here These needs steps totodelegitimize our and actual rapist confessed. They are: the Energy and Commerce State Assembly member, is now around the world.” democracy were targeted in cities Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond Committee, responsible for a New York City council member acrossThe the gala country with numbers starts at high 6:00pm with a Santana Jr., Antron McCray, Kevin consumer protection, food and a champion of education for of Black voters. These actions are aby the cocktail hour to be followed Richardson, and Kharey Wise. safety, energy development, public our youth. clear violation of the Voting Rights Act There dinner and awards ceremonies. health, communications, the The Black Star News, which focuses and the Kube Klux Klan entertainment Act. Honoree Imhotep Gary Byrd is will musical by environment, and interstate and on investigative journalism, has Derrick Johnson, of the a legendary radio talk show host opera singerPresident Cassandra Douglas international commerce. been featured as a result of some if NAACPand said, “President Trump and executive producer, radio DJ, from harmonica phenomenon its news scoops, on CNN, The New R. Donahue Peebles, honoree, is and hisWilliam allies have repeatedly poet, songwriter, music recording Galison.

Davidand Dinkins is York Daily News, The New York a leading developer and founder of unsuccessfully triedLifetime to overturn the artist and producer, rapper, writer honored for Achievement Post, The Village Voice, and Brill’s The Peebles Co., the nation’s largest and community activist. He began 2020 presidential election — he was New Yorkresults City’s first Content magazine. and undermine confidence in our African American-owned real his career as a radio DJ in Buffalo African American mayor and also democracy. estate firm with $3.5 billion worth Past Black Star News honorees at age 15. For over 30 years, he’s welcomed Nelson Mandela to the of properties under development been a talk show host at WBLS and have included: Gil Noble (Like It citysteps after histo release in 1990.

These delegitimize or management — he was one Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad WLIB radio in New York City. He Rep. democracy Charles Rangel, also honored our were of the pioneering developerswho O’Brien (CNN), Ms. Camille Cosby, also has a Friday night radio talk Photohelped Source: NAACP Legal Desgense and Educational Fund for Lifetime Achievement, turn around and revitalize targeted in cities across has Voza Rivers (New Heritage Theatre), show on WBAI. served in Congress since 1971. He is the once-blighted Anacostia Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel the country with high Honoree Sabrina Lamb, founder a recipient of The Bronze medal for neighborhood in Washington, D.C. (Entertainer), Dr. –William numbers of Black that ourofdemocracy is peopleofaround NOTE: Larrieux The Legal Defense Fund Worldthe ofcountry, Money,the is a champion helping save soldiersvoters. behind enemyand ensure A champion African-American Pollard (Medgar Evers College), not delegitimized, we are bringing for theshealso referred to as the NAACP-LDF of(National financial Association literacy for youth-Korean War. economic empowerment Peebles’ NAACP is Acrossline theduring countrythe – from Detroit Herm Edwards Nayaba this lawsuit to protect the integrity Advancement of Colored People) is in 1940 (NY as aJets), part of contemplating a possible run for NYC teaches knowledge about handlingwas founded to Milwaukee, and Atlanta Rep. Yvette Clarketois a Democratic Arinde (Amsterdam News), of Black voters and the democratic the largest andbudgeting most pre-eminent civil the NAACP, but separated in 1957La-Verna money, and planning. mayor in 2017.

Philadelphia – they have member of the UStargeted House of Fountain (Columbia University), process in which they participated rights organization in the nation. We to become a completely separate Dr. Rudy Crew, honoree, is one of areas with large numbersfrom of Black Representatives New Lillian Roberts (DC37), Honoree Barbara Arnwine, civil have over 2,200 units and branches and made their voices heard in entity. It is recognized as the Desiree Dancy voters York and made racist the nation’s leading educators.

He’s whosebaseless, 9th district covers (New Times), Gregrights Floyd (Local lawyer, is a champion of recordrights numbers.” across the nation, along with well nation’s firstYork civil and human claimsmuch to attempt to notBrooklyn. count their of central Before 237), Rev. Al Sharpton (National president of Medgar Evers College protecting voting rights of ethnic over 2M activists. Our mission is to law organization, and shares our joined a lawsuit that votes. entering While all Congress of the allegations in 2007, she The NAACP Action to Network), and many others.

The City University of New commitment minority groups — the emerging secureof the political, educational, equal rights. was filed on November 20th by

D I S E N F R A N C H I S E B L AC K V OT E R S

INSIDE T HIS ISSUE: IS SUE : INSIDE THIS

PAGE 2 Education FLY BLUE!pg.5

PAGE 2 PREVAILING THRU COVID NewYorkTrendnyc

NewYorkTrendnyc

BluePage Sky EPIC pg.8LIKE YUH! 7 BAD

PAGE 3 POC BIZ INITIATIVES

December 17, 2015 - December 23, 2015

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

From left, Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Viola Davis, Michael Potts and Glynn Turman in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." David Lee/Netflix

Page 11 NYC NEW YEARS!

PAGE 11 FEAT. BLACK TRIUMPH

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

N AT ION AL

FEEDING AMERICA Network Stays Resilient As COVID-19 CRISIS Endures Over 80 percent of food banks in the Feeding America network continue to serve more neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic yet are accustomed to this new level of demand, working tirelessly to keep inventory of food and resources high.

This is according to the most recent survey by Feeding America®, the nation’s largest domestic hungerrelief and food rescue organization.

Ninety-one percent of food banks in the Feeding America network responded to a survey between Nov. 9 through Nov. 19 to identify critical gaps in funds, food, volunteers and distribution. Food banks have consistently seen a 60 percent increase in demand compared to this time last year, and continue to require more food and resources to provide to people in need.

According to the USDA, more than 35 million people, including nearly 11 million children, lived in food insecure households before the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, a recent Feeding America analysis found that number

could rise to more than 50 million people, including 17 million children, in 2020. With the help of monetary contributions to Feeding America and critical partnerships with donors in the supply chain, the Feeding America network has distributed 4.2 billion meals to this growing number of neighbors facing hunger.

With 11.1 million people in America still unemployed, many are turning to the food banks for the first time.

Previous food bank surveys revealed that an estimated 40 percent of people seeking assistance from food banks had never needed help before.

People across the country can get involved to help neighbors this holiday season and beyond by:  Volunteering at their local food bank  Donating to their local food bank or Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund  Contacting elected officials to protect and increase the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program, which is the first line of defense against hunger  Joining the conversation on social media with @FeedingAmerica Key Findings According to the survey distributed Nov. 9 through Nov. 19:  Food banks have become accustomed to the new level of increased demand, which has consistently been an average of around 60 percent more neighbors

SUPPORT race forward

Authenticity. Owning our strengths. Learning from those who came before us. The importance of collective and collaboration. The power of joy.

These are just some of the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve progressed on the path towards a just, multiracial, more democratic society.

2 | NewYorkTrendnyc

In 2020, following the police killing of George Floyd here in my Minneapolis community, organizers and activists across the nation pushed harder than ever before to achieve a shared vision for racial justice.

compared to the same time last year.  From March 1 through October 31, the Feeding America network distributed an estimated 4.2 billion meals (5.2 billion pounds) to people facing hunger in the United States.  Just over 60 percent of food banks are accepting and in need of volunteers.

To learn more about ways you can help, please visit feedingamerica. org.

IN 2021

What lessons have you learned?

As you reflect on the progress and setbacks of 2020 - we hope that you choose to give to Race Forward so that we can sustain this important work in

2021.

We will continue to learn. We will continue to grow. We will continue to educate. We will continue this work. Together.

That tragedy and so many others has sparked a movement that is grounded in the persistence of our ancestors, the power of organizing, and a deep hunger for liberation.

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

N AT I O N A L

V I S I T P H I L A D E L P H I A ® L a u n c h e s I n i t i at i v e BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES

VISIT PHILADELPHIA® today launches a marketing effort to support the economic recovery and growth of Black- and Brownowned businesses in the wake of COVID-19. The tourism marketing organization will use advertising, web and social media, public relations and more to bring awareness to these small Philadelphia businesses.

The initiative kicks off the holiday season with the Love + Grit Sweepstakes, gifting one winner with distinctive items and experiences from Black-owned businesses that will gain increased exposure.

a Google Maps feature in every article pinpoints each shop, restaurant and gallery, making it easier for people to find and shop these businesses. In 2020 alone, Black- and Brown-owned businesses articles on visitphilly.com have sent

products) as stylists and clients discuss resilience, current projects, big ideas and more.  INFLUENCER MARKETING: VISIT PHILADELPHIA will share products from local businesses with influencers, so

“As restrictions persist and calls for equality and justice continue, there is an opportunity for all of us to make change and strengthen the community by supporting Black- and Brown-owned businesses,” said Rachel Ferguson, chief innovation and global diversity officer, VISIT PHILADELPHIA.

NewYorkTrendnyc

business owners can promote their businesses — some of which will be featured in holiday gift guides appearing on Visit Philly’s social accounts throughout the season — for free using the campaign’s messaging and creative.

LOVE + GRIT SWEEPSTAKES SPECIFICS  Titled after VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s podcast that debuted in February 2020, the Love + Grit Sweepstakes prize box includes 10 items and experiences valued at nearly $500:  “Cultured Jawn” T-shirt or sweatshirt, Harriett’s Bookshop  “Melanin” T-shirt, The Sable Collective  African-print mask, D’IYANU  Cloud 9 Clay wiggle mug, YOWIE  $50 gift card, Star Fusion Express  $50 gift card, American Hats LLC  Flourishing Beautea (caffeinated beauty tea), Flourishing Beauty and Wellness  Holiday lip gloss mini glitter clutch, Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse Makeup Studio  Gift certificate for full-service haircut, Faheem’s Hands of Precision  Gift card for salon service, Salon Tenshi

“Black- and Brown-owned businesses are vital to the fabric of Philadelphia, and we want to make it easy for everyone to find them and shop at them during the holidays and into 2021 — whether that’s online or in person,” said Jeff Guaracino, President & CEO, VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “People want to be part of our region’s economic recovery, and one way they can do that is by buying gifts from these vital businesses found in more than 35 neighborhoods and towns throughout our region.”

The integrated marketing initiative is part of VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s continuing efforts to support Blackand Brown-owned businesses and supplement the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to cultivating and growing small, diverse businesses. Highlights include:  ADVERTISING: Advertising on WXPN and NPR, in The Philadelphia Tribune and other multicultural media outlets, and on social and digital media will encourage locals to support the businesses that make Philly Philly by shopping online and in person, ordering takeout and delivery and more.  WEBSITE: VISIT PHILADELPHIA will continue to develop content promoting Black- and Brown-owned businesses to feature on com/ buyblackandbrown, where more than 130 businesses are featured in half-a-dozen articles. In addition,

For

The public can enter the sweepstakes, which runs through December 30, 2020, at visitphilly. com/podcast. A winner will be announced after the new year. VISIT PHILADELPHIA will promote the sweepstakes on upcoming episodes of Love + Grit and on its social media channels.

Photo by heylagostechie on Unsplash

nearly 50,000 referrals to featured businesses’ websites.  SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING & OPTIMIZATION: VISIT PHILADELPHIA will help increase the visibility of Black- and Brownowned businesses online by optimizing the quality and quantity of web traffic through organic and paid search engine marketing.  VIDEOS: A brand-new video series will showcase prominent Philly-based, Black-owned businesses such as barbershops and salons (and their services and

they can help promote them, and invite influencers to appear in the campaign in order to extend its reach.  PUBLIC RELATIONS: VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s media relations team will develop pitches and creative outreach strategies to help ensure the stories of Blackand Brown-owned businesses are featured in influential broadcast, print and online media outlets.  MARKETING TOOLKIT: VISIT PHILADELPHIA'S #OurTurnToTourist campaign toolkit details how

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly. com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call the Independence Visitor Center for additional information.

599 Market Street, (800) 537-7676

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 3

COMMUNI T Y NE WS

COUNTY EXEC Announces FREE COVID-19 TESTING I am proud to announce a partnership with Nassau’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) to offer free COVID-19 testing for residents.

The COVID-19 testing will be available to all residents, regardless of insurance or immigration status, on evenings and Saturdays at the County’s FQHCs in Elmont, Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt and Westbury.

As everyone turns their focus to the vaccine, the County remains committed to offering easy and reliable COVID-19 testing for residents so we can contain disease spread while we wait for the vaccine to be widely available.

Our FQHCs have been real partners during this pandemic and I thank them for once again working with us to make sure all residents have access to COVID-19 testing and other critical health care services.

The testing will be at the following locations:  Westbury Health Center (682 Union Avenue, Westbury) Monday and Wednesday, 4:30pm to 8:30pm  Elmont Health Center (161 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont) Monday and Wednesday, 4:30pm to 8:30pm

Photo Source: Nassau County, NY

 South Ocean Care Health Center (101 South Bergen Place, Freeport) Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30pm to 8:30pm  Hempstead Health Center (135 Main Street, Hempstead) Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30pm to 8:30pm  Roosevelt Health Center (380 Nassau Road, Roosevelt) 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month, 9am to 1pm

Owner/Publisher Executive Editor Editor-In-Chief Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams

Online Editorial Director Rachel Breton Hamlett

NewYorkTrend TrendNYC Catalogued and displayed in the U.S. Library Congress.

Art Director Jessica R. Doughty

New York Trend welcomes letters to the editor.

Assistant to Publisher, Administrative Zoie Williams

Emeritus Office & Subscription Manager Sophie Taylor

International Correspondent Ann Brown

Social Media Zoie A. Williams

Travel Editor Jim Weaver Contributing Editor Justin Williams Circulation Manager Robert L. Taylor

Writers Ezra Mechaber Jim Weaver Anastasia Williams Justin Williams Teresa Williams

14 Bond Street, Suite 176, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021 Tel (347) 551-1545 Fax (516) 626-3966 ISSN#1083-58 Email NYTrend@aol.com Email: Website: www.newyorktrendnyc.com Website “Like Us” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newyorktrendnyc New York Trend is published by TTW Associated, Inc. which holds copyright to the content of this publication. ISSN: 1083-5822 Mail inquiries to: New York Trend NYC, 14 Bond Street, Suite 176, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021.

New York Trend NYC is not responsible for the content of letters to the editor or opinions expressed by individual writers.

New York Trend reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor. Photographs and manuscripts will not be returned.

VOLUME 30 ISSUE 44

Due to federal and state regulations concerning the operations of non-essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and deliveries, please be advised that regularly scheduled deliveries may be delayed or adjusted to meet these regulations at the discretion of the distributors and publisher requires to adhere to the mandates. @2020

4 | NewYorkTrendnyc

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 20090337H

Serious memory loss isn’t part of normal aging.

Stony Brook Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease As the only center of its kind on Long Island, and one of only 10 such centers in New York State, we provide early diagnosis and help enhance the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Our team includes geriatric psychiatrists, a geriatrician, a neuropsychologist and social workers. And we have partners throughout Long Island to effectively serve you and your loved ones where you live.

For Physicians and Healthcare Providers

Alzheimer’s Disease Virtual Symposium Person-Centered Care: Therapeutic Strategies in Dementia Care for Improving Quality of Life and Caregiver Support.

Friday, Nov. 6 • 8 to 10 am To learn more/register: ceadlongisland.org

• • • • •

Assessment and diagnosis of memory loss Comprehensive, individualized care plans Management of complex cases Technical help Educational resources for difficult diagnoses

• Second opinions

For Family Members • • • •

Recommendations on resources and support Language assistance Clinical trials information Advocacy with and on behalf of caregivers

(631) 954-2323 • ceadlongisland.org This center is supported by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.

NewYorkTrendnyc

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 5

ENTER TAINMENT

J E N N I F E R H O L L I D AY V i r t u a l N A B J Awards F e at u r e d P e r f o r m e r

Gramm y Awa rd-winning singer and actress Jennifer Holliday will join the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) as the featured performer for its 2020 Virtual Awards, streaming December 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Celebrity DJ Andre Mack will also join NABJ as the host of the awards show live afterparty. Free tickets are available at https:// nabj.digitalvirtualspaces.com/ register.

Holliday is best known for her role in the smash Broadway musical, “Dreamgirls,” with her showstopping performance as Effie "Melody" White. This iconic role garnered her a Tony Award for best actress in a musical.

With over 30 years of experience on Broadway, Holliday got her start at age 17 while singing in her church choir in Houston, Texas.

Holliday's passion didn't stop on the Broadway stage. She has appeared on television as Lisa Knowles on the Fox TV dramedy, “Ally McBeal.”

She has also enjoyed a successful recording career, winning Grammy® Awards for her mesmerizing

performances of "And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going" (1982) and Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday" (1985). Holliday has also received rave reviews for her first album in two decades - "The Song Is You" (2014).

Back by popular demand, DJ Andre Mack is no stranger to NABJ. After performing at the 2020 Convention Opening Ceremony and Reception, co-produced and presented by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, members and attendees raved about Mack's skills on the

turntables. He is frequently called upon to spin classic and soulful House, Old School R&B, Hip Hop, and Reggae music.

NABJ's first-ever virtual awards will recognize the winners of its 2020 Salute to Excellence Awards and pay tribute to 2020 SPECIAL HONORS recipients and Hall of Fame inductees. The hosts for the evening will be Lynn Whitfield, Emmy Award-winning actress; Craig Melvin, anchor of NBC News’ “TODAY”; Tichina Arnold, NAACP Image Award-winning actress;

Michelle Miller, co-host of “CBS This Morning: Saturday”; and Kenneth Moton, co-anchor of “ABC World News Now” and “America This Morning.”

The awards ceremony, presented

by FedEx, will kick off at 8 p.m. ET. It will be preceded by a pre-event reception at 7:30 p.m. ET. The postevent afterparty will be held from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Tickets provide access to all three activities.

"In such a critical time in America and in journalism, it is important that we take time to celebrate and applaud our members and industry colleagues," said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. "We are honored to have iconic artists and actresses like Jennifer Holliday, Lynn Whitfield and Tichina Arnold celebrating with us. We are also grateful to have our award-winning hosts and journalists Craig Melvin, Michelle Miller and Kenneth Moton. And, of course, we can’t wait to unwind with the talented DJ Andre Mack. Congratulations to our 2020 honorees and finalists. We are proud of all you've accomplished.”

©2020 New York Lottery

PLEASE GIFT RESPONSIBLY.

You must be 18 years or older to purchase a lottery ticket.

Struggling with a gambling addiction? Call the HOPEline 1-877-8-HOPE-NY (1-877-846-7369) or text HOPENY (467369). Standard text rates may apply.

NYLResponsiblePlay.com

FUSE PRINTING JOB # 3030 AGENCY AD # N20LO232_812

6 | NewYorkTrendnyc

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

ENTER TAINMENT

BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA Launches Emergency Relief Fund By A n n B r o w n As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shine a light on many of the inequities of the modern world, the precipice upon which many independent artists often live has been thrown into sharp relief.

Black Public Media (BPM), a nonprofit with a 40-year record of supporting artists who create and produce media content about the Black experience, has launched the BPM Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) to provide financial assistance to Black creatives and media makers facing crises brought on by unforeseen emergencies.

To kick off the new initiative, BPM is devoting its year-end campaign drive to raising $20,000 for the fund to help support artists in need.

An offshoot of BPM’s COVID-19 Relief Fund — which was created in spring 2020 and saw the nonprofit award a total of $30,000 to 36 creatives in grants ranging from $250 to $1,000 — the new BPM Emergency Relief Fund will be a permanent reserve, positioning BPM to provide succor to Black artists during times of catastrophe. Through the fund, BPM will offer assistance to artists currently working on BPM-funded

Image from Black Public Media Shop projects or those within their archive of projects who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, natural disasters, and medical emergencies.

“The sudden changes brought to everyday life because of COVID-19 and the shutdown of many aspects of the arts communities exposed how vulnerable many creatives are to drastic changes to their livelihood,” said BPM Executive Director Leslie Fields-Cruz. “With our new Emergency Relief Fund, we aim to

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

help the independent artist community survive unanticipated emergencies even as the pandemic eases.”

One hundred percent of donations made to the fund will go directly to Black artists

in need.

During December, supporters who buy merchandise at the new Black Public Media Shop, will see all proceeds from their purchases benefit the ERF.

Filmmaker Takes Helm In Fight Against COVID-19

As COVID-19 cases and deaths reach alarming new highs around the country, filmmaker, author, and health care advocate Crystal R. Emery is leveraging a network of partners ranging from policymakers to grassroots organizers in the fight against the deadly pandemic.

Dr. Vivek Murthy. Recognizing that faith-based organizations have long served as trusted resources and social foundations in Black and Latinx communities, Our Humanity will launch its Faith-Based Collaborative in Connecticut on Thursday.

Emery, the Founder and CEO of URU

The Collaborative is designed to build

Reverend Kendrick Curry, Dr. Karen DuBois-Walton, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, philanthropist William Graustein, the Reverend Abraham Hernandez, Dr. Camara Jones, the Reverend Dr. Boise Kimber, philanthropist Roslyn Milstein Meyer, President and CEO of the Connecticut Association for Community Action Amos Smith, State Representative Charlie Stallworth, Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center CEO Michael Taylor and State Representative Toni Walker.

“The Black church is the foundation of its community, and as clergy, it is our duty to respond with leadership during this time of great crisis,” said Kimber, who serves as Pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church, President of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association, and President of the Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention.

Ph oto c ourt e sy of Our H umani t y The Right to Be, Inc. (URU) — a national nonprofit dedicated to creating a more equitable world through the use of media, technology, science and the arts — has created Our Humanity, a multimedia messaging initiative delivering crucial information on the novel coronavirus pandemic to Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities.

Participants in the movement include former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders; actor Keith David (“Greenleaf,” “There’s Something About Mary); and former U.S. Surgeon General and President-elect Biden’s nominee to return to the position

NewYorkTrendnyc

the capacity of religious organizations in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19 through increased access to education on the virus and making communitywide risk reduction programs and community-based interventions such as covid testing and flu shot distribution more readily accessible.

Grounded in the public health sciences, the Collaborative is informed by a national advisory committee comprised of public health experts and faith leaders including Elders, along with Bishop Theodore Brooks, Meriden City Councilor Miguel Castro, the

Established by Emery, a New Havenarea director and health care advocate triumphing over quadriplegia, Our Humanity strives to counter the paucity of COVID-19 information and messaging aimed specifically at BIPOC communities, which continue to be most severely affected by the virus.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many longstanding historical injustices and inequities affecting BIPOC communities, it has also clearly brought to light the fact that if we within the BIPOC community don’t work to address our needs, issues such as lack of access to health care, income disparity and racism will continue to bring devastation during future crises,” said Emery. “With Our Humanity, it is my intention to bring BIPOC voices to the forefront in the battle to stop covid,

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

turning we who are often portrayed as inactive victims into the messengers of change.”

Prominent epidemiologist and advisory committee member Dr. Camara Jones said, “Bringing together this collective of faith-based organizations is critical in mobilizing communities to take action against COVID-19.”

Presenting information and news by experts from their own communities, Our Humanity and the Collaborative are dedicated to bringing information to Black, Indigenous and Latinx populations from those who speak their language and understand their cultures and historical sensitivities. As such, trainings designed and led by URU’s team of public health experts and facilitators will reach members of congregations of participating churches, addressing topics such as preventing the spread of the virus; ways to combat misinformation that is rife within communities of color; and confronting vaccine distrust and the historic mistreatment of Indigenous, Black and Latinx communities by scientific and medical institutions. The initiative will also focus on providing Spanish language materials and open town hall conversations to serve the Latinx community, which is often not effectively reached with COVID-19 resources.

“It is very important that our people receive information they can trust in a way they can understand it. So much of what we are seeing with this pandemic doesn’t include Spanish-speaking Americans. We are being left behind,” said Pastor Josué Rosado, leader of Oasis de Restauración in New London, Connecticut.

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 7

BUSINE S S FILM LUDACRIS And DAUGHTER Partner To Produce Animated Netflix Series Rapper/actor Chris Bridges, more popularly known as Ludacris, is set to produce a new animated series called Karma’s World inspired by his eldest daughter Karma Bridges. The series will be released on Netflix soon.

Ludacris’ production company Karma’s World Entertainment is one of the producers of the coming-of-age story that will follow the life of 10-year old girl Karma Grant, an aspiring musical artist, rapper, and songwriter, who wanted to use her music to be able to change the world.

The 40-episode series with 11-minutes screentime each will feature original music scoring created and supervised by

Ludacris himself in collaboration with James Bennett Jr. and produced by Gerald Keys. The compositions tackle the issues young children are facing from friendship, creativity, emotions to self-esteem, and discrimination.

Karma’s World Entertainment is partnering with 9 Story Media Group, Oscar-nominated Brown Bag Films, and Emmy Awardwinning Creative Affairs Group to produce the new series.

Ludacris is hoping the series will get to inspire young children and empower young girls.

“I’ve had a lot of accomplishments in my life, but everything that I’ve experienced seems to have led up to this point to where I can leave a legacy for all my daughters,”

Photo credit: blacknews.com

Bridges told Deadline. “Karma’s World is one of those legacies.

I hope this series will show kids that there are many ways to overcome difficult situations.

This show is going to move hip hop culture forward and show

young girls that they have the power to change the world. This project has been a long time in the making, and I can’t wait to bring Karma’s World to the entire world.”

Documentary ‘WITH DRAWN ARMS’ Profiles Protest At 1968 Summer Olympics BOUNCE, the first and only broadcast and multi-platform entertainment network serving African Americans, has acquired the exclusive world broadcast television premiere rights to With Drawn Arms, the result of a longterm collaboration between Smith and the artist Glenn Kaino, who co-directs with Afshin Shahidi. The critically-acclaimed and compelling documentary, produced by Jesse Williams (Grey's Anatomy, Power) and Oscar®, Emmy® and GRAMMY®-winner John Legend, explores the impact and the legacy of American track star Tommie Smith's thenshocking symbol of protest against social injustice while receiving a gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

Bounce also announced that Smith will be one of the four honorees for the upcoming Bounce Trumpet Awards which annually recognize the outstanding accomplishments of African Americans who have succeeded against great odds and inspired success in others.

The list of prestigious past honorees includes Rep. John Lewis, Muhammad Ali, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, The AfricanAmerican Women of the United States Congress, Quincy Jones, Maya Angelou, Ambassador Andrew Young, Spike Lee, and

8 | NewYorkTrendnyc

many others. This year's 29th annual ceremony - entitled The Bounce Trumpet Awards: Stand Up - will honor individuals who have risen to fight social injustice

their medals. As the National Anthem of the United States played, the world watched - and was stunned - as the two men raised their fists to the sky in silent

for Black Americans. Smith will be receiving the Xernona Clayton Award of Distinction, named after the esteemed founder of the Trumpets.

protest against social racism in a move that would echo for more than 50 years and counting.

On Sunday, Dec. 13, Bounce will debut The Bounce Trumpet Awards: Stand Up at 8:00 p.m.

ET/PT followed by the world broadcast premiere of With Drawn Arms at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT).

At the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City after winning the 200-meter race with a worldrecord time, Smith and teammate John Carlos, who took the bronze, ascended to the podium to claim

An official selection of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, With Drawn Arms explores the legacy of the iconic fist-raising gesture, following Smith as he looks back at the moment that helped make a statement while providing a symbol of hope. President Barack Obama, the late Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis, Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe, Jemele Hill, Nelson George, Brent Musburger, and Jesse Williams are among those who discuss the

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

moment and its impact.

Bounce (@bouncetv) programming is seen over-the-air, on cable, on DISH channel 359, over-the-top on Roku®, on mobile devices via the Bounce and Brown Sugar apps and on the web via BounceTV.com.

Bounce features a programming mix of original series, docuseries and movies, off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and events, and more. Bounce is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

BUSINE S S Business Groups Urge Airlines To Adopt TRAVELER-FRIENDLY POLICIES Several consumer and business travel groups today urged U.S. airlines that plan to operate the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 aircraft to adopt traveler-friendly policies – in writing – providing concerned travelers with a variety of options when the plane returns to service. This morning the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an order that will enable the aircraft to return to service, certification of the aircraft by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is progressing, and the plane could be operating flights in U.S. airline schedules as early as next month.

The consumer and business travel groups, which include the Business Travel Coalition, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, National Consumers League and Travel Fairness Now sent a joint letter to the CEOs of Alaska, American, Southwest and United Airlines asking them to agree to a five-point “737 MAX 8/9 Passenger Protection Plan.” The five protections include:  1. Allowing passengers concerned about flying on a 737 MAX 8 and 9 to change to flights operated with other aircraft without any financial penalties such as differences in fare with the ticket they already purchased, all the way up to departure time. This includes flights operated by the airline itself and those operated by that airline’s “code-share” partners.  2. If no other aircraft is operated on a passenger’s itinerary, offering consumers the option of either a full refund or the ability to apply the full value of the ticket to a ticket to a different destination, without incurring a change fee, administrative fee or other financial penalty.  3. If a consumer is concerned about flying on a 737 MAX 8 or 9 to a degree that they’d rather not travel at all, provide them with a full refund on a timely basis.  4. Updating the airlines’ “Contract of Carriage” to reflect these changes and make them binding.  5. Providing consumers and travel agents with easily viewable information on the type of aircraft that will be used to operate a flight in advance so that consumers have full knowledge of whether a flight being considered is being operated with a 737 MAX 8 or 9, well before making a decision to purchase an airline ticket on a specific flight.

“The circumstances surrounding

NewYorkTrendnyc

the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 are unprecedented in the history of commercial travel and call for extraordinary protections for understandably concerned consumers,” said Kurt Ebenhoch, executive director of Travel Fairness Now. “While we appreciate the initial accommodations that some airline officials have shared through public comments, we look forward

doing so,” said Susan Grant, director of Consumer Protection and Privacy at Consumer Federation of America. “If this plane is put back in service, it’s crucial for the airlines to adopt formal policies to accommodate consumers’ concerns.”  LAST-MINUTE AIRCRAFT SUBSTITUTIONS Travelers may also be faced with

burden should not be on consumers who are rightfully concerned about the safety of this aircraft,” said John Breyault, vice president, Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud for National Consumers League. “Passengers should have the right to opt out of flying on the 737 MAX, and there should be no financial penalty for doing so.”  CODE-SHARING

to them formalizing those plans into binding commitments consumers can depend on before committing to purchase a plane ticket.”

airlines making close-to-departure aircraft substitutions, where a published schedule shows a flight operated with a plane other than a 737 MAX 8 or 9, and that aircraft becomes delayed or requires lengthy maintenance work. To prevent a cancellation or lengthier delay, the airline may decide to substitute the aircraft originally planned for the flight with a 737 MAX 8 or 9 instead.

“Many travelers now dread the thought of getting on a 737 MAX and understandably will go out of their way to book travel on another kind of aircraft,” said Linda Sherry, director of National Priorities for Consumer Action. “Having gone to the trouble of making their preferences known, these travelers should never face last-minute aircraft substitutions that would land them in a 737 MAX. We fully support strong, formal and transparent airline policies that give these travelers the right to switch to another aircraft when possible, paying no more than they did for the same type of ticket and class, or be given a full refund or credit if no alternative is available.”

Many airlines engage in the practice of “code-sharing,” where they market flights operated by another airline as if it were their own, using the two-letter airline code on flights operated by different airlines.

The consumer and business groups recommend that travelers concerned about flying on a 737 MAX also check if flights operated by code-sharing partners airlines are using a 737 MAX. For example, while a U.S. airline on a passenger’s itinerary may not fly the 737 MAX, an international carrier that a passenger is connecting to might.  AIRLINE CONTRACTS OF CARRIAGE An airline’s “Contract of Carriage” details all of the contractual details and obligations between a consumer and an airline when a plane ticket is purchased, including what the consumer is entitled to and may expect. Airlines sometimes use Contract of Carriage language to enforce rules, collect additional revenues and deny services.

Unfortunately, these “contracts of adhesion” can be one-sided, confusing and do more to protect the interests of the airlines, not consumers.

In the U.S., there are four airlines that either operate or have ordered the Boeing 737 MAX – Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. “The Business Travel Coalition applauds airlines that have said they will allow passengers, fearful of flying a Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9, to rebook for free once they take to the air again,” stated founder Kevin Mitchell. “It represents a smart cost-neutral business decision for travel and procurement managers around the world as they grapple with a MAX 8 and 9 related ‘duty-ofcare’ requirement of not knowingly placing employees in harm’s way.

These accommodations, if followed by all MAX 8 and 9 operators, should facilitate travel policies that make booking a 737 MAX 8 and 9 a voluntary decision for travelers,” added Mitchell.

“Consumers shouldn’t be forced to fly on the 737 MAX or have to pay more if they don’t feel comfortable

“Both Boeing and the FAA have shaken the public trust, and the

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 9

HE ALTH

A D U LT S M O K I N G R AT E i n N Y C D e c l i n e s

The Health Department today announced that results from the 2019 Community Health Survey show an adult smoking prevalence of 11.9%, a decrease from 14.3% in 2015 and 21.5% in 2002. This meets the smoking target of less than 12% in Take Care New York 2020, which is the City's blueprint for giving everyone the chance to live a healthier life. Its aim is to improve every community's health, especially among those experiencing the greatest health inequities.

“More New Yorkers than ever have extinguished their smoking habit – or never even picked it up – and we’re all healthier for it,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi.

“But with the ongoing impact of COVID-19, all New Yorkers can take additional steps to protect their health.

If you smoke, it’s a great time to try to quit and we’ve got your back with resources to make it easier.”

Smoking increases the risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia, as well the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Smoking is also known to cause heart disease, stroke, type2 diabetes, many cancers and lung diseases such as emphysema.

In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed several bills to address tobacco and e-cigarette use, as well as secondhand smoke exposure. These

policies included banning the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies; raising the minimum prices for all tobacco products; capping the number of tobacco and e-cigarette retailers citywide; and promoting smoke-free spaces in residential settings.

While these improvements are impressive, troubling inequities exist.

In 2019, adults with less than a high school education were twice as likely to smoke as those with a college degree (15.6% vs. 7.4%). Men were more likely to smoke than women (14.7% vs. 9.3%). Smoking was also particularly high among adults with serious psychological distress (SPD), compared to adults without SPD (26.7% vs. 11.0%) Historically, the tobacco and vaping industry have resisted increased regulation and oversight, while also using manipulative marketing tactics to target youth and specific communities, which have contributed to these inequities.

more common among 18-24-yearolds than smoking (4.8%). White New Yorkers are two to three times more likely to use e-cigarettes (9%) than New Yorkers from other racial and ethnic groups. In response to the popularity of e-cigarettes among youth, this year, both the city and the state adopted laws prohibiting the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes. This will help protect young people from developing nicotine dependence and drive down the rate

The New York City Community Health Survey (CHS) is a telephone survey conducted annually by the Health Department. The 2019 sample included approximately 8,800 randomly selected adults aged 18 and older from all five boroughs. Interviews are conducted in English, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese). In 2018, additional languages were added, including Bengali and Haitian Creole.

The best thing people who smoke or vape can do is to stop. Using counseling and cessation medications, such as nicotine patches and lozenges, can double the chances of quitting successfully. The New York State Smokers Quitline is available to help online at nysmokefree.com or by phone at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).

While supplies last, up to three months of nicotine replacement gum is available for free to those who qualify.

For decades, New York City has been a leader in tobacco control policies, reducing the rates of smoking among youth and adults, with policies including the Smoke Free Air Act and raising the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21.

E-cigarettes are an ongoing area of concern, with 10.4% of 18-24-year-olds and 7.5% of 25-44-year-olds reporting current vaping. Vaping is now much

of adult smoking further because few people start smoking as adults.

For support quitting, teens and young adults (ages 13 to 24) can text “DROPTHEVAPE” to 88709 to join This Is Quitting, a free Truth Initiative texting support program.

Photo by @eanlami via Unsplash

New Yorkers can also talk to their health care provider about medication and counseling options. Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover services to help you quit.

H O M E S T R E S S D I S O R D E R : N e w Y o r k R a n k s # 6 i n U S

Consider this: the pandemic made 60% of respondents realize their homes were disorganized, according to a survey of 2,000 homeowners by online interior design company Modsy. Additionally, 77% were so stressed by their home surroundings that they undertook DIY home or room redesign projects during the quarantine.

Modsy’s recent COVID-Inspired Design Trend Report discover that the top 10 most stressed states in terms of home spaces are:  1 Virginia  2 Massachusetts  3 Kansas  4 South Carolina  5 Utah  6 New York  7 Florida  8 Colorado  9 Georgia  10 Tennessee

Alessandra Wood, VP of Style at Modsy, says: “Approximately 80% of people give up on their New Year’s Resolution

by February. Why? Because change is really, really hard. Once the glitter is swept up and the optimism of a new year has faded, it’s easy to slip back into old, unhealthy habits. This is because habits can be incredibly hard to break, especially when you live in an environment that reinforces them.

So what’s the best way to make a resolution stick? Research tells us that

10 | NewYorkTrendnyc

it might be as simple as making a few changes to your home.”

Modsy has six tips to help people spruce up their home interiors and set themselves up for successful New Year's resolutions come January: 1  Truly assess your place, your wants, and needs. Answering basic questions like whether or not a place is public or private, if you spend a lot of time there, and you need it for work can set you up for success by determining your need for specific furniture and budget.

2  A fresh new face (or coat of paint).

A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room. It’s definitely a simple design upgrade that makes a huge difference.

3  Cut down on clutter. Call it early spring cleaning, but simplifying and de-cluttering your living area can also open up more mental space to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Also helpful for those who plan to take up meditating in 2021.

4 If you have to look at it every day, think of investing in some nice art. Save some of your favorite art pieces for your bedroom—helping to make this space more personal and inspiring 5  Use multipurpose furniture. While the end of 2020 (and all the clutter it dragged with it) seems to be in sight, our designers now more than ever appreciate the need to adopt versatile pieces such as storage furniture or murphy beds. We might want to be

prepared for when our furniture needs to pull double duty again.

6  Utilize storage. Rethink where you have storage pieces in your home, and move them around to areas that have the biggest needs. Entryways are an often overlooked but high-trafficked area that are desperate for more storage. Move a storage piece, such as a credenza or extra dresser, into your entryway to capture clutter, hide bags, and shoes, and allow for the ultimate organized drop zone.

Wood says: “The saying used to be ‘New Year, New You' but the mantra we're seeing more people embrace lately is ‘New Year, New Home Space’ as we’ve

seen customers use our services to upgrade everything from their home office, home gym, and homeschooling areas.”

Modsy also recently released its 2021 Style Trend Report which is chock-full of emerging interior design trends and style predictions for the new year for anyone who might need a little help refreshing their space this January.

“New users and visitors to our site are also utilizing our tips and guides to help maximize their home space. If you're looking to start 2021 on the right foot, the best place to start is with your home,” says Wood.

Photo Source: Modsy Blog

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

END NO TE S WOMEN

and

M I N O R I T I E S I n t e g r a l t o H e a l i n g D i v i d e d C o u n t r y

Now that America has voted in Joe Biden, who will be the oldest president ever in the U.S., and Kamala Harris, who will be the first woman—and of color—as vice president, what message is Biden’s team sending by nominating 74-year-old Janet Yellin for U.S. treasury secretary and 68-year-old Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Ambassador to the United Nations? With a clear stand on age and gender, Erica Baird and Karen E. Wagner, two successful lawyers (now retired) and cofounders of Lustre.net, an online community aimed at redefining the stereotypes of retirement for modern career women, share six tips each for Biden and Harris as they further shape their cabinet for the country:

FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN: 1. Deploy the advantages of your age. You have many decades of political and personal experience that allow you to think big.

2. Listen to our cohort when an issue affects people 65 and over.

3. Listen to our cohort when an issue affects people 65 and under.

4. Apply your problem-solving skills to give the people what they need. Most Americans,

whoever they voted for, want the same things: an end to COVID, a good job, an excellent education for their children, a

secure home and three meals a day, not necessarily in that order.

5. Use your gentle diplomatic approach to bring us together. Older people remember a “United States,” and our hope is that our

country can still be a nation undivided.

6. Call on older women. We shouldn’t be dismissed. We’re an untapped demographic

with huge intellectual and buying power that we typically don’t flaunt. We are here to enhance.

FOR VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT HARRIS: 1. Diversity brings strength. Remember that

diversity includes age.

2. Pay heed to those politicians who learned to be effective by listening to their adversaries.

3. Keep employing style to convey how a woman exercises power.

4. Channel the power of women to bring about a stronger America.

5. Break the stereotype that assertive women are “bitchy.”

6. Encourage Biden to bring younger and older Americans together to serve the country.

Lustre.net is an online forum founded by Erica Baird and Karen Wagner, two New York City retired attorneys. Together, Baird and Wagner are on a mission to redefine retirement for modern career women by confronting outdated concepts, defying stereotypes and raising our collective voices to ensure that retirement for all of us is shaped by women, for women. Baird and Wagner want women to “tap into our experiences and passions, forge new identities and find new purpose—and pass on what we know to the next generation.”

'MA RAINEY'S BL ACK BOT TOM' Showcases Triumphs In recent historical features about the Black experience in America — like "12 Years A Slave," "Hidden Figures" and even biopics like "Ray" and "Ali" — racism and oppression are through-lines in the narratives; antiBlackness becomes a character all its own.

The perils of white supremacy make their way into every plot even though the Black experience is at the core of these films, seeping (as it can in reality) into the characters' everyday lives. While these films are historically accurate, modern-day Black film-goers then often lament the prevalence of "slave films" and the inherent tragedies at the center of these stories, asking to see more Black joy and less Black sadness.

There is no tragedy porn in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," which premieres on screens this Wednesday and on Netflix on Dec. 18.

Rather, portraying the Mother of the Blues and dripped in fur and indignation, Viola Davis' Ma bursts through the screen and confinements of Rainey's era, standing tall and vibrant in each buttery frame of the film.

Many writers have tried to capture the particular nuances and specificities of the Black American experience and, while several have been successful, there has been no one quite like playwright August Wilson. Whether set in a dilapidated jitney station in the 1970s or a humble home in Pittsburgh in the 1950s, Wilson's "Century Cycle" of plays chronicled Black life through each decade in the 20th century. And though nine of his films were set in his native Pittsburgh, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" has 1920s Chicago as its backdrop — and a defiant Black woman at its center.

Now, nearly 40 years since it first premiered on Broadway and 15 years after Wilson's death, filmmaker George C. Wolfe has thrust Wilson's vision of Ma Rainey on the big screen in all of her glorious audacity.

Adapted for the screen by Ruben SantiagoHudson, Davis' astonishing portrayal of Ma Rainey (or "Ma," as she was often called) is a masterclass in transformation. With a mouth full of glittering gold teeth, a rounded stomach draped in silk fabrics and a face full of thick makeup, the actor is mesmerizing as the no-nonsense Blues singer with a soulful voice and a sharp attitude.

NewYorkTrendnyc

But it isn't just about Davis: at a time when many Black people were just trying to survive, Ma was demanding what she was owed. What she represents as a Black woman is nearly unimaginable today — but Wilson tried, and now so have Wolfe and Davis.

Wolfe, for his part, paints a different picture

and stuck between Ma's refusal to conform to the demands of her record company, the pleading of her frantic manager Irvin (Jeremy Shamos) and the overt disdain of her producer Sturdyvant (Jonny Coyne) for all of them. There's Culter (Colman Domingo) — the closest thing Ma has to a right-hand man — on trombone, Slow Drag (Michael

Viola Davis in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." David Lee/Netflix

Of

Blacks

to another end.

Enthusiasm and fury, then, rattle between the band members like jazz notes, as they play and poke at each other; the cadence and dialect — specific to Black Americans — shines brightly here, putting Wilson's signature poetry and dialogue on display.

It's cathartic to watch Ma command the men of her band as Irvin zips in and out of the studio at her whim; she is well aware that her voice alone is the record company's golden ticket and that, to get what they want, Irvin and Sturdyvant must play by her rules. For her, respect and loyalty are what matter — more, perhaps, than success even.

She seems to understand that her recording session might well be her last stand in the industry. (In real life, Ma's protégée and alleged former lover, Bessie Smith, would soon overtake her in popularity.)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," by highlighting the dreams and triumphs of Black people instead of the burden of racial oppression, sticks with you well beyond its running time. Ma's weary face and Levee's anxious desperation may show that, even while living life on their own terms and flourishing,

of the North through Ma's eyes: often, the South is portrayed on screen as the devil's lair for Black Americans, but it's home for Ma and when she lands in the Windy City early in the film, it's clear she doesn't see Chicago as a prize. She sees no Promised Land in the Great Migration, nor is she moved or dazzled by city life, which she views as more confining than her life in Georgia.

Wolfe shows us why as well: she stays in a swanky hotel to record her album, but it's "colored only" hotel. She has her girlfriend, Dussie Mae (Taylour Paige), on one arm and her nephew, Sylvester (Dusan Brown), on the other for protection for them both. She glides slowly through the stifling summer heat while others bustle around her, but the beaming sun causes her heavy coat of makeup to slide down her face. She refuses to conform to the will of others, and Ma's even less concerned about her band.

Though Davis is the titular lead, "Ma Rainey" mostly tells the story of the four men in her band, squeezed into a small practice room

From left, Michael Potts, Chadwick Boseman and Colman Domingo "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." David Lee/Netflix

Potts) on the base, Toledo (Glynn Turman) on piano, and Levee (the late Chadwick Boseman) on trumpet. Levee's young and more concerned with his $11 shoes and the sway of Dussie Mae's hips than about being in the band, which he sees as only a means

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

the horrors of racial violence are still there for Black people. Still for Ma, eking out an existence in the world that is presented to her is not enough for her; she’s determined to thrive on her own terms — and does.

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 11

+ + + +

+ + + +

+ + + +

+ + + +

+ + + +

WHAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM?

A five-part discussion hosted by Carlos Watson.

Join the inaugural conversation on positively resetting the American Dream, together. #realtalk

Aida Rodriguez Producer, Stand-Up Comedian

Jalen Rose Athlete, Commentator

Carlos Watson Host

Jasmine Davis Trans Activist

Eddie Glaude Jr. Princeton Professor

John Kasich Former Governor of Ohio

Angela Duckworth Professor

+ + + +

+ + + +

+ + + +

12.08.20 ozy.com/realtalk

12 | NewYorkTrendnyc

December 17, 2020 - December 23, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com