Our world media magazine winter 2017 (tricia campbell cover)

UR WORLD Winter 2017

MEDIA MAGAZINE

Rubén Díaz Jr. BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT

NYRR MILLROSE GAMES

2017 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS JUDGE CHEREE A. BUGGS

INDUCTION INTO NYS SUPREME COURT

EXCLUSIVE

TRICIA CAMPBELL BRONX ENTREPRENEUR BOROUGH &PRESIDENT SUPER MODEL

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IN THIS ISSUE

ENTREPRENEUR 9 Rainbow Push 20th Anniversary 10. Stars Under 40 Awards & Dinner 12. Glamour Glamour & more Glamour

POLITICS/BUSINESS 38. Era of Trumpism 40. Bronx Borough President Rising Star in the Big Apple

16. Karen Civil Uses Her New Jersey Drive’ to Create Her Own Lane

46. The Will to Lead

18. Sports News that Empowers

49. Judge Cherre A. Buggs Induction into NYS Supremecourt

48. A women for all season

50. The Revise of Sutphin Blvd!

SPORTS 54. Armory Track Invitational

56. NYRR Millrose Games recap

ENTERTAINMENT 20. People’s Choice Awards winners 22. Sew Far, Stew Good” Fashion Gala Awards 24. The Ween Awards 26. Soul Train Awards Red Carpet & show 32. Black Tie & Sneakers Gala 37. Stay True to Your Gift

Stay up to date on the latest event photos covered by Our World Media Visit us at OurWorldMediaPhotos.com

CO-OWNERS Dr. George Onuorah & Joseph Swift

CHAIRWOMAN Tiffany Goode

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Pauline Swift

EDITOR-IN CHIEF Dr. George Onuorah

SALES DIRECTOR Brenda Jones

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Malcolm Boyd, Debra Coco, Mia Hall, Wayne Gillman Lindy Andrews, Nakita Vanstory, Wanda Mims, Quentin V. Mezetin, Elliot Denman, Nick Nicholas

CREATIVE ART DIRECTOR Joseph Swift

PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Carroll, Kheron Sutherland, Verity Rollins, Ruven Afandor, Jeff Dormeus, Ajamu, Joseph Swift

PHONE: 718-699-9706 | 917-674-2219 | 917-300-5570 EMAIL: info@ourworldmedia.com WEBSITE: OurWorldMediaMagazine.com

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Message from the Publisher In this edition of OURWORLD MEDIA Magazine, you will find interesting articles on politics. They range from local to national. On the local level, we interview a Rising Star in the Democratic Party in NYS, Bronx Borough President Hon. Rubin Diaz Jr. We have adorn our front page which tells you his story is very important. We know all politics is local according to famed Hon. Thomas Tip O’Neil the late speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Hon. Rubin Diaz who is doing a great job transforming the sometimes referred as the ‘forgotten’ borough the Bronx some say is one of the front runner politician who may challenge current NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio.

Our team Pauline Swift and myself sat down and discussed his robust transformation of the Bronx, his future aspiration and vision. We know you cannot wait to hear his take on topics of interest to you.

On the national political stage we cannot ignore the surprising emergence of Mr. Donald J. Trump on the political scene and his magical ascendency to becoming the President of the greatest nation on God’s earth. Some are still confounded and dumb-funded at his surprising defeat of a politician of Hilary Clinton’s ilk. How did Trump do it- To shed more light on the election and how a significant number of minorities voted for him or stayed home because of aparty and complacency? What percentage of African Americans actually voted for Mr. Trump and Why? We have our seasoned reporter Mr. Malcolm Boyd dig into the story and will give you his take.

In this issue, we have Special feature stories and interviews. One that stands out is the one on the Induction of Judge Cheree A. Buggs into the Supreme Court New York State Queens. Our World Media was present to witness and observe the ceremony, and also had the pleasure of interviewing Hon. Buggs afterwards. The interview can be seen on our social media platforms.

The story of Judge Buggs is a beautiful one. As you may know, not an easy task for a consummate professional, and in her case a judge to effortlessly balance raising a young child at the same time handling the challenges of her work and still find time to involve in civic stuff and church.

It takes a courageous, organized and dedicated person to rise up to such enormous tasks. We are so impressed and see her story as one worthy of emulation by young women everywhere.

Sports is a mainstay in our magazine, so we have Mr. Joseph Swift bring to you stories in sports from basketball to track. You will find in this edition pictures after pictures to feed your eyes in absolute silence. Indeed, sports stories that show the thrill of victory and agony of defeat. So feed your eyes in absolute silence with reports on high school basketball and track news parents love to see and read about.

What about entertainment you may ask. Well, we always include news about emerging artists and entertainment to lighten up your mood.

This current edition will not disappoint you. Relax, chillax and be happy with us for we have it all covered.

Finally, I want to also take this opportunity as we always do to thank you personally for the devotion and time you spend following us throughout all social media platforms. We appreciate when you like us on Facebook, share us on Instagram and Twitter and watch us on YouTube. We have presence in all social media platforms where we engage you with attractive features such as interviews, entertainment stuff and general stuff. Your support is critical to our survival as an entity. We truth you will continue to stay with us for the long haul. We promise not to disappoint you our readers and viewers.

Dr. GEORGE C. ONUORAH –Publisher Dr. George C. Onuorah E-Mail: grisingson@yahoo.com Youtube: OurWorldMedia1

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REV. JESSE JACKSON CELEBRATING

RAINBOW PUSH 20th ANNIVERSARY IN NYC By: Dr. George Onuorah

Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up – Rev. Jesse L. Jackson

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ev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. famous for his oratory, charisma, political savvy and diplomacy, as he has done annually for 20 years pitched his Organizations tenth in the big apple to celebrate their 20th anniversary of Rainbow PUSH. This year instead of the venue being the Sheraton Hotel and Towers on 53rd Street and Seventh Avenue, the entire Annual Wall Street Project Economic Summit was moved to a new venue, the Grand Hyatt located at 120 E. 42nd Street in New York City.

The theme of the three day event was “Celebrating 20 years: Strengthening and Redefining Inclusion and Equality in the Corporate Market Place.

Rev. Jackson Snr. Political activism dates back to before 1984 and 1988 when he ran for the United States Presidency. While he did not win, he clearly committed gained so much notoriety becoming a voice for the disaffected, dispossessed, disenfranchised and those other poor mases struggling to make it.

As a progressive fighter for the forgotten many, disenfranchised and all who may be impacted by the unorthodox presidency of Mr. Trump, the reverend Jackson continues to hold a valuable Trump card about bringing the presidency close to the people.

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STAR NETWORK HOST STARS UNDER 40 AWARDS & DINNER

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Thursday, January 26, 2017

hour and the main event usually with Master of Ceremony Ms. Vicki Schnep owner and publisher of about twenty newspapers in Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island and Staten Island.

Terrace on the Park in Flushing was where 43 young professionals who are trail-blazers in their field of endeavors assembled before their friends and family to receive recognition, standing out and exemplifying the best in their communities.

Receiving an award this time included Ms. Chinyere Dunkley Founder & CEO of RoyalChi Fashion. Brother Kerume Dunkley Senior Billing Analyst at Cashmir Care honored as young professionals being a shining example and making family were proud.

Star Network sponsored this awesome event that always include networking opportunities, a type of business Expo or fair, Cocktail

Raffles were sold and proceed to benefit Carly Rose Foundation and Innovative Resource for Independence.

By: Dr. George Onuorah

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Photos by: Joseph Swift

1. This year’s honorees at the Star Network’s Stars Under 40 Awards & Networking event 2. NYCB “Inspiration Award” winner Carly Rose Nieves 3. Dr. Christine Antoldi 4. Dr. Rukiya Jeff ers 5. Chinyere Dunkley 6. Chinyere Dunkley & her brother Kerume Dunkley 7. Russo’s on the Bay table 8. Awards 9. Douglas Elliman Real Estate 10. Shobhna Lamba 11. Jairo Borja 12. Cheryelle Cruickshank for Dr.Nicole Appello 13. Carl Benn 14. Rui Fernandes 15. Dr. Hugh Lavery Winter 2017

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The

Entrepreneur

GLAMOUR GLAMOUR & MORE GLAMOUR Tricia Campbell – Supermodel Written by: Debra Coco

Photo by: Chris Carroll

down. These words discouraged her at the time from continuing on as a model. She grew up to believe that it was normal for a model to be a size 4 or 8 to be considered beautiful. Being a plus size model today, she now realizes that those words were wrong and that beauty truly comes in all sizes.

Tricia has been modeling professionally for 7 years. She has touched many runways and has been featured in numerous publications. She is currently modeling full-time and building her Glamour Glamour clothing line.

Her advice for those entering the business is to research the industry, find a mentor, learn

Photo by: Joseph Swift

Pauline Swift of Our World Media Magazine had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with the lovey Tricia Campbell. Tricia shares her journey with us and tells us how her love for fashion led her to becoming an accomplished model; starting her own clothing line Glamour Glamour and hopefully in the future it will lead her to having her very own television show. Currently, she is the double for Oprah Winfrey so you know with that connection anything is possible for her future!! Tricia Campbell is a perfect example of a woman following her destiny while trying to make a difference in the lives of other women. Along with the support of her family and the acceptance of her own curves; this woman moves with no limitations. Let’s take a look at her journey.

Photo by: Rohan Photo by: Ruven Afandor

Tricia was born and raised on the beautiful island of Montego Bay, Jamaica. At the age of 13, she entered the Miss Jamaica pageant which introduced her to many designers. The designers encouraged her to start modeling.

She was told that she had the look. Upon entering the pageant, she found out otherwise because she was told that her thighs were too big and that she should work on slimming

In 2000, she came to America and attended Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) to learn how to be a Fashion Designer. She eventually received her Bachelor’s in Fashion Design and landed a job within a showroom. From time to time, the designer that she worked for would ask her to double as a plus size model and try on garments for potential buyers. Then one day, she saw vouchers which detailed how much showroom and print models were being paid to wear clothing for designers. She was impressed by their salaries and realized that she is doing the same thing for free. She decided to contact one of the models who gave her some names and addresses of some open calls for models. Luckily for Tricia, 2 agencies decided to represent her and the rest is history.

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from the pioneers, take care of your body and stay on top of your business. Her initial challenge was trying to figure out why she wanted to be a plus size model. Her answer to this question led to her launch of “You are Royalty” campaign which she created to empower other women. She wants women to know they are beautiful no matter what they have been through in life; no matter what size they are. We all have a gift to give back.

In the future, Tricia would like to have her own television show about women looking glamorous while discussing their fabulous lives, a beautiful family and to expand her clothing line.

Check out her website www.iamtriciacampbell.net for more details on her movement. n

The

Entrepreneur

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Karen Civil

Uses Her ‘New Jersey Drive’ to Create Her Own Lane By: Mia Hall (as seen on nbcblk.com) As a media mentor to stars such as Nick Cannon and Nicki Minaj and go-to marketer for top brands such as Beats by Dre and Louis Vuitton, Karen Civil has gone from managing fan clubs of top pop musicians, to ‘curating cool’ for the first woman presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton.

Not an overnight success by any means, the Brooklyn-born, New Jersey-bred entrepreneur has been building her media brand for almost 10 years. Crediting her interest in computers and digital media stemming from bullies who made her feel like an outsider for being of Haitian descent, Karen engaged with fellow fans of some of the top music groups in the 1990s online and started managing fan pages. Karen’s road to getting exposure in the music industry continued as she competed and came in 2nd place for a chance to be an intern with Angie Martinez who was at Hot 97 at the time.

Karen Civil: An entrepreneur and a hard worker. Someone who is living life her own way.

What main projects are you working on right now?

I am the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) of Marathon Agency, a new venture with my business partner Steve Carless. It’s a management, branding, marketing and business strategy. I’m in charge of marketing and branding clients like Nick Cannon, Nicki Minaj and more. It’s exciting to partner them up with brands. I do a little bit of everything, continuing to grow my brand turning myself into talent.

What were you most happy about as a result of Karen Civil Day?

Though she did not get the main prize, she began interning for Funkmaster Flex and the rest is history. Her own site featured artists like Nicki Minaj and Drake before they were household names.

Not only does her site KarenCivil.com get exclusives with some of today’s hottest artists, she also started LivingCivil.com and the Live Civil Foundation to empower and give back to the community.

All the love and the energy. Fab[olous] was in Miami and flew to New York the day of the game and he brought his mom and his son. My friend Ming [Lee] flew in from Atlanta that day. She went straight to the hotel, got changed and came to the game so I was happy that people were leaving work and coming into town for the event. n

RELATED: Haitian-Americans Find Ways to Help Haiti One Month Later She recently held the second Live Civil Day at Barclays Center, the proceeds from which benefited the foundation. We had a chance to catch up with Karen about her current projects, holiday plans and more.

NBCBLK: Who is Karen Civil?

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The

Entrepreneur

Sports News that

EMPOWERS Bianca is originally from Pennsylvania but she now resides in New York. While in college, she played sports and had the opportunity to intern for different sports teams. The knowledge she obtained during those years proved to be valuable which led her to become a reporter soon after graduation despite having a business degree.

There is definitely a level of comfort that comes across when you watch her because she really knows what she is talking about. In 2012, her career sprang into action when she decided to purchase a microphone to connect to her iPhone so she could record footage.

She used her phone which was really unheard of in those days. As luck would have it, she was randomly asked to fill in for someone during fashion week. She had a chance to interview the lead hairstylist at a high profile fashion show all on her phone. She got such an adrenaline rush behind doing that interview so she decided to keep going. Since then she has covered numerous fashion shows, sporting and political events. Being a sports reporter, is her way of staying connected to the game and really be involved with what is going on in the current day. She loves telling stories that occur on and off the court.

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Written By: Debra CoCo

ianca Marley is a educational professional and business owner. She took her passion for education and her love of sports and combined the two professions to create a lane where she offers highlights of the sports industry through her own unique vision. She grew up playing sports and now she is on the court reporting the games to her audience. Pauline Swift had the opportunity to meet up with Bianca to discuss her passion for sports, business and highlights of her career. Through Bianca’s work as a reporter, her goal is to inspire others to follow their dream and to have confidence. Sports has been a huge influence on Bianca and she hopes her story can provide some direction to others who may also be interested in following her path as a female sports reporter. Most importantly, she loves what she is doing and she is sharing her passion with us.

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When Mrs. Swift asked Bianca about her influences growing up, Bianca mentioned that her mother helped her to learn about the importance of work ethic which I’m quite sure helped her in regards to making business decisions for her own company. Another person of influence that she mentioned was Renee Chenault-Fattah (former co-anchor of the WCAU NBC 10 News in Philadelphia). Every morning while Bianca was getting ready for school, her mother would watch the news. Bianca’s favorite anchor was Mrs. Chenault-Fattah because she loved the way she reported stories. She felt connected to her as a youth. She even had the opportunity to meet her at a hair salon which was a surreal moment and a sign that she was meant to be a reporter.. These positive influences have eventually led her Winter 2017

straight to the US Open, Super Bowl and even the NBA Finals in conjunction with her affiliation with What’s the 411 Sports TV Network. Her secret to success is building great relationships and networking.

When asked about highlights of her career, Bianca mentioned a time when she met and interviewed Magic Johnson. She stated that his smile was electric and contagious. It stood out in her mind as a great moment. She also mentioned Spike Lee as another person who stood out for her. She laughs during her interview with Mrs. Swift as she describes her encounter with Spike Lee. During her interview with Mr. Lee he reminded her to spit out her gum into his hand before they got started.

She found that funny at the time but understood why he instructed her to do so. Her challenges are balancing her work life and her life as a sports reporter. Sports is a 24-hour industry and having a 9 to 5 job limits her availability. The industry is also male dominated so it is tough to be taken seriously. She is mindful to mention detailed information during interviews for that very reason. Bianca loves playing basketball, tennis and boxing.

Currently, Bianca is the founder of BiancaMarley.com where she shares her behindthe-scenes experiences and sports news that empowers. Her platform highlights individuals who are making a difference within the world of sports. She also is an Associate Director for College Board’s AP Program and assists with game night entertainment for the Brooklyn Nets. Bianca’s goal is to continue to use sports as a tool to inspire others to follow their dreams. In addition to working as an educational professional for over 5 years, you can see sports continues to be a main factor in Bianca’s life. life - It’s innate.

Shes believes you can accomplish anything if you have passion, pursistance and patiences. So far, she is doing a wonderful job.

Go Bianca!!!! n

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PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2017 WINNERS Winners Include The Big Bang Theory, Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Hanks, Fifth Harmony, Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Justin Timberlake, and Many More Ellen DeGeneres was the big winner of the night, becoming the most decorated People’s Choice Awards winner in history, taking home “Favorite Daytime TV Host,” “Favorite Animated Movie Voice” and “Favorite Comedic Collaboration” for a lifetime total of 20 awards. Big names in acting categories include Priyanka Chopra, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hanks, Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Blake Lively, Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy, Sarah Jessica Parker and Sofia Vergara. The Big Bang Theory took home “Favorite Network TV Comedy” for the 5th consecutive year. In music, Justin Timberlake was on hand to accept “Favorite Male Artist” and “Favorite Song” for “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” Blake Shelton, who performed “Everytime I Hear That Song,” won “Favorite Male Country Artist” and “Favorite Album” for If I’m Honest while Fifth Harmony, performing “Work From Home” for the first time in 2017, took home “Favorite Group” for the second year in a row.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2017 featured the presentation of the fifth annual award for “Favorite Humanitarian,” presented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, to Tyler Perry. In support of Perry’s tireless efforts to help those in need, Enterprise is donating $100,000 to Perry’s charity of choice, the Global Medical Relief Fund for Children. Past winners of this award include Sandra Bullock in 2013, Jennifer Hudson in 2014, Ben Affleck in 2015 and Ellen DeGeneres in 2016.

Waterford, a heritage brand that is at the center of some of the world’s most beautiful and thrilling celebrations, is the maker of the 2017 People’s Choice Awards. For eight years, Waterford craftsmen in Ireland have designed and hand-sculpted these bespoke crystal trophies that sparkle in the hands of each talented winner. This year, Waterford has also created two uniquely shaped trophies with striking Waterford cutting on top and a burst of dazzling color for the “Favorite Humanitarian” and “Favorite Movie Icon” categories. Tyler Perry’s “Favorite Humanitarian” award features a pop of crimson color on the crystal, while Johnny Depp’s “Favorite Movie Icon” award has a dramatic touch of Sapphire Blue in the center of the crystal flame.

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Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian , Christopher Polk & Kevin Winter

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1) Ellen DeGeneres, winner of the awards for Favorite Animated Movie Voice for ‘Finding Dory’ as Dory, 2) Actor/director Tyler Perry accepts the Favorite Humanitarian award 3) Actor Johnny Depp, winner of the Favorite Movie Icon award 4) Actor Kevin Hart accepts Favorite Comedic Movie Actor 5) Dwayne Johnson accepts Favorite Premium Series Actor for ‘Ballers’ 6) Melissa McCarthy, winner of the Favorite Comedic Movie Actress Award 7) Actress Sarah Jessica Parker accepts Favorite Premium Series Actress for ‘Divorce’ 8) (L-R) President of Peoples Choice Awards Fred Nelson, Actors Wilmer Valderrama, Piper Perabo, Jordana Brewster, Jamie Chung, Ken Jeong, Molly Shannon and Boris Kodjoe

Handbag and jewelry designer Julie Gravesande from her House of Moruka collection.

Bearded Dapper Gents (B.D.G) is a collective of Black men of various ages and backgrounds who have come together to achieve the mission of inspiring and motivating the urban community through various acts of civic responsibility.

beardeddappergents.com

“Sew Far , Sew Good” Fashion Gala Awards

By: The Block Association @TheBlockAssociation Photos By: Joseph Swift

On Sunday December 11, 2016 The Block Association hosted their 1st annual “Sew Far, Sew Good ” Fashion Gala Awards. The event was a style-centric party equipped with red carpet arrivals and attended by over 500 style provocateurs from NYC and the Tri-state area.

Fashion Designer/Stylist Arlinda Mcintosh

The “Sew Far, Sew Good” was conceptualized as a way to celebrate the “Rising Stars of Fashion” and recognize them as fresh and new editions of fashion that have eye catching products making their mark on the fashion scene. The premise of “Sew Far, Sew Good” is to recognize up and coming boutique owners, media/ communication pioneers, designers, stylists, bloggers, editors, photographers, models and makeup artists. n

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Some of the 2016 Sew Far, Sew Good Awards recipients Edward Ortiz of L&S Collection on the red carpet.

Tamika Toler Wardobe Stylist and owner of Disclothesure. www.disclothesure.com

Tanise Franchise CEO of Fabric Twinz accepting her award. www.thefabrictwinz.com

A celebration on stage. 2016 Sew Far, Sew Good Awards recipients

THE 2016 WEEN AWARDS

November 17, 2016, New York, New York – Wednesday evening, WEEN (Women In Entertainment Empowerment Network) celebrated their distinguished honorees at the organization’s 6th Annual WEEN Awards, held at ESPACE in New York City. The awards ceremony recognizes women who are leaders in entertainment, social justice and entrepreneurship. The theme of this year’s awards was #InSolidarity, and paid homage to community, racial and social justice leaders in plight to eradicate injustice, violence, and disparities in Black and Latino communities.

highlighted relevant topical issues, as well as introduced past and present African-Americans who have played pivotal roles in society.

“I am reminded that nine years ago when we started this organization we said one thing, ‘Don’t judge me, empower me!’ So tonight it is not about judgment, it’s about celebrating the icons while they are living,” says WEEN CEO and Co-Founder, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones.

The presenters of the evening dedicated heartfelt speeches to each of the honorees. Entertainment Lawyer Londell McMillan told the audience a beautiful story about his “friend, little sister, and confidant” Lil’ Kim. Lil’ Kim accepted her WEEN Icon Award with a great amount of gratitude stating, “I have received many awards that I have been super excited about, but there’s something so special about receiving an award that a group of women got together to give you. That’s really special.”

Radio personality, Angela Yee, hosted the evening, while WEEN co-founders, Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Sabrina Thompson, Kristi Henderson, and Lauren Lake welcomed the guests and

In keeping with the spirit and #InSolidarity theme of the evening, honoree Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland, gave a powerful and moving speech that ignited hope, faith

HONORED EMPOWERING WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN NEW YORK CITY

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and activism. “Our candidate lost the election, I lost a baby. This is not the time to pass out,” says Geneva Reed-Veal. “For a lot of us, this was a not now moment, but it is a moment to wake up!”

Honoree and Editor of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth gave words of encouragement during her acceptance speech stating, “What a time to be alive, to be Black, to be female, to be young, to be creative and to be empowered.”

The attendees left the awards feeling motivated, energized and encouraged. DJ Olivia Dope provided the music for the pre-cocktail reception and throughout the program.

The 2016 WEEN honorees were

Meagan Good (Actress) received the Women’s Empowerment Award presented by radio personality Midwin Charles.

Ethiopia Habtemariam (President of Motown Records) received the Music Maverick Award, presented by singer/songwriter Keri Hilson.

Lil’ Kim (Entertainer) received the WEEN Icon Award, presented by entertainment attorney Londell McMillan.

Geneva Reed-Veal (Mother of Sandra Bland) received the Social Justice Award, presented by WEEN Co-Founder Sabrina Thompson.

Yara Shahidi (Actress) received the TV and Film Empowerment Award, presented by blogger Necole Kane.

Dia Simms (President of Sean Combs Wines and Spirits) received the Corporate Leadership Award, presented by journalist and television personality Lola Ogunnaike.

Teyana Taylor (Actress, Singer) received the Mission Award, presented by music executive Kevin Liles.

Elaine Welteroth (Editor, Teen Vogue) received the Editorial Award,

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presented by style expert June Ambrose and Apple Music executive Bozoma Saint John.

With a completely sold out show, the WEEN Awards has been coined an evening of ‘glamour, philanthropy, and social justice.” Ticket proceeds from the show will support the continual expansion of the organization’s flagship program, The WEEN Academy; a six-week entertainment industry boot camp for young women ages 18-22. These programs are essential components of the WEEN platform. It provides a community that uplifts and produces opportunities for ambitious women who may one day be an honoree at the annual awards show.

Past esteemed honorees and participants have included: Vivica A. Fox, Gayle Soledad O’Brien, Angie Martinez, Kevin Liles, Nia Long, Estelle, Egypt Sherrod, Va$htie, Angela Yee, Sevyn Streeter, MC Lyte, Keri Hilson and Regina Hall, among others.

Sponsors of the 6th Annual WEEN Awards were CENTRIC, YouTube Music, Odyssey Media, CBS Entertainment Diversity, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and The TEKNIQUE Group, as well as supporting sponsors McDonald’s, CIROC, JetBlue Airways and Strategic Heights Media. n Photo Credit: Walik Goshorn

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Soul Train Awards Red Carpet Orleans Arena | LAS VEGAS, NV Credit: JOSEPH SWIFT 1: Teddy Riley 2: Bell Biv DeVoe 3: Elise Neal 4: Jay Ellis 5: MC Lyte 6: Leontine Abdulla 7: Eric Benet & wife Manuela Testolini 8: Fat Joe 9: Remy Ma 10: Bobby Brow & Alicia Etheredge

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Soul Train Awards Red Carpet Orleans Arena | LAS VEGAS, NV Credit: JOSEPH SWIFT 1: Tamar Braxton 2: Erykah Badu 3: Yuna 4: Tito Jackson 5: Gary Johnson 6: Teyana Taylor & her daughter 7:Teddy Riley & his family 8: Stephen G. Hill (of Programing, BET Networks) 9: Jill Scott

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The 2016 Soul Train Awards took place on Sunday, November 6 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The godmother of soul, Erykah Badu, returned to the stage as host, and for the first time as Executive Producer, with her eccentric humor and legendary style. The annual event honoring the best in soul and R&B featured moving performances by Brandy, Anderson .Paak, Bobby Brown, D.R.A.M. MA$E, DRU HILL, Doug E Fresh, India Arie, BJ The Chicago Kid, Guy, Candice Boyd, Carl Thomas, Eric Benét, MAJOR., Ro James, Tito Jackson, V. Bozeman, Wreckx-n-Effect, and Yuna. GRAMMY award-winning, multi-platinum singer Brandy was presented with the second annual Lady of Soul Award, while multi-platinum and three-time GRAMMY award-winning producer, singer and songwriter Teddy Riley was honored with the night’s highly coveted Legend Award.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS The 2016 Soul Train Awards kicked off with Dru Hill, who got the party started with an amazing medley of 90s R&B jams including “Tell Me,” “In My Bed,” and “Beauty.” Dru Hill lead singer Sisqó then performed his mega-hit “Thong Song,” getting the entire crowd up out of their seats - including Teyana Taylor who knew every word!

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Erykah Badu, ever the ethereal visionary, made her grand entrance during a glow-in-the-dark performance followed by her laugh-out-loud futuristic opening monologue where she touched on everything from Trump to alien life. The Queen of Soul revealed her recent time traveling adventures, saying “The future is black; forget the Jetsons, it’ll be more like the Jeffersons.” In addition to her hosting duties, Erykah also hit the stage to perform. First with singer/rapper D.R.A.M., performing their recently released song, “WiFi.” and later bringing out her “sister of soul”, India Arie, to sing their spirited, message-driven song “Breathe.”

For the second year, the awards unveiled a powerful “Soul Cypher” featuring a mix of legendary and contemporary R&B and soul singers coming together. Badu DJed the cypher while Tyrese, Ne-Yo, Angie Stone and the Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight performed raw versions of their songs.

Brandy was presented with the Lady of Soul Award following a heartfelt speech from 2015 honoree Jill Scott and a special tribute video from industry’s top executives and artists such as Kenny “BabyFace” Edmonds, Jazmine Sullivan, Jhene Aiko and more, who spoke to Brandy’s dedication, creativity and vocal prowess. Brandy then blew the crowd away with a full dance and stunning vocal performance of her most beloved hits including “Almost Doesn’t Count,” “What About Us,” “Full Moon,” “I Wanna Be Down,” “The Boy Is Mine,” “Talk About Our Love,” “Have You Ever,” and “Sitting On Top Of The World,” joined by MA$E. Cedric ‘The Entertainer’ presented Teddy Riley with the night’s highly regarded Legend Award honoring the prolific singer-songwriter and producer for his tremendous influence in soul culture and music. Teddy Riley was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation and roaring round of applause. He celebrated with R&B and soul superstars Bobby Brown, Doug E. Fresh, Guy, Wreckx-N-Effect, V. Bozeman and Tito Jackson.

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Photo: Brent Edelen acceptes the 2016 USA Track & Field Hall of Fame honor on behalf of his father Leonard Edelen. More

Black Tie & Sneakers Gala

Honors Late, Great Marathoner Edelen and other American Hall of Famers By: Elliot Denman Longfellow once reminded us this about the lives of great men: “Departing, (they) leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.”

Leonard “Buddy” Edelen left us, at age 59, in February 1997. And before his departure, to cancer, he surely did leave behind footprints on the sands of his sport’s time.

Through his mid-20s, he’d turned those times inside out, upside down. Marathoning had not been an American’s game for a long time. Not since 1932 (Albert Michelsen, seventh place in the Los Angeles Games) had an American marathoner even cracked the top eight at the Olympic Games. But Edelen, the Kentucky-born, South Dakota-reared, Minnesota-schooled runner, made it a life mission to alter that course.

He left Minnesota (where he’d been an outstanding collegiate distanceman) to move to England, take a teaching job, live frugally and race and train with the Englishmen whose regimens he con-

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sidered the sport’s most intense. He slogged out training miles in rudimentary conditions and before long was not only outrunning England’s best but the world’s best.

Running 2:18:57 in Fukuoka, Japan in 1962, he was the first American ever to break 2:20. And then he really startled his sport with a 2:14.28 triumph in the Windsor-to-Chiswick Polytechnic Marathon in Engand, for a world record. Not since 1925 (when Michelsen ran 2:29:02 as the first man under 2:30) had an American held the world record.Not all his timing thereafter, however, was as triumphal.

He’d won the 1964 Yonkers Marathon, which had served as one of that year’s two Olympic Trials races, in brutal, plus-90-degree heat, in 2:24:26, and left U.S. runner-up Johnny “The Younger” Kelley over 20 minutes behind. This ‘64 performance was typical Edelen, all guts and grit. But it likely came at a cost.

By the late October Tokyo Olympic marathon, Edelen was dealing with sciatica, no longer at his fastest and sharpest. He did place Winter 2017

sixth in 2:18:13 - some six minutes back of winner Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia, who set a world record of 2:12:12 - and this was the best by an American Olympic marathoner since Joie Ray’s fifth in 1928 in Amsterdam.

Well, the years flew by. Edelen returned to the U.S. and never did get the plaudits, the appreciation he truly deserved. His footprints had been virtually erased, swallowed up by the sands of his sport’s time.

Until Thursday night, at the New Balance Armory Track and Field Center’s second annual “Black Tie and Sneakers” Gala, again saluting the greatest of the sport’s greats in the elegant setting befitting their lifetime achievements. While so many others had forgotten the man and his achievements, USA Track and Field’s National Track and Field Hall of Fame expert panel of voters fortunately had not.

ages. And Oregon State alumnus/ 1968 Olympic high jump king Fosbury was one of the sport’s true revolutionaries, forever turning things upside down by taking on his event’s highest bars back to front.

Dr. Frank Zarnowski’s personal best score in the decathlon - he kiddingly tells you - was somewhere in the vicinity of 4,300 points. That number, of course, is more than 4,700 south of Ashton Eaton’s current world record.

But it’s all the numbers inherent in the sport’s multi-event tests of its finest men and women that are the true calling of Zarnowski, this college (fomerly Mount Saint Mary’s, now Dartmouth College) economics professor, alternatively, affectionately called “Dr. Z” or “Zeke.”

And so it was that toasts were made to National Track and Field Hall of Fame Class of 2016 inductees Harry “Butch” Reynolds, Connie Price-Smith and Al Feuerbach, along with “Legacy” honorees Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Dick Fosbury, happily all still with us, along with the gone but now-but-nolonger-forgotten Leonard “Buddy” Edelen.

For years and years, he has been recording them, adding them all up, announcing them all, at major meets around the U.S. and the world, then publishing them all over again in the eight books and the many “deca” magazines and newsletters that have kept the multiply-marvelous men and women of track and field in their rightfully-spotlighted mainstream of the sport.

“He trained gruelingly hard,” said son Brent, accepting the honor in his late Dad’s behalf. “Pain and suffering, these were his biggest competitors.”

For all this, and more, Dr. Zarnowski is now a National Track and Field Hall of Famer, too, in the honored “contributor” category.

In a week that New York City was again going Marathon-mad, it had belatedly, appropriately, found time to honor an immortal of this forever unforgiving 26-mile, 385-yard challenge.

A special “Groundbreaker” award went to Bob Greifeld, chairman since 2003 of the USATF Foundation, which has raised over three million dollars for its worthy cause of elite and youth athlete support.

Ohio Stater Reynolds’ 400-meter world record of 43.29 had endured 11 years, 1988-99. Southern Illinois University alumna, four-time Olympian Price-Smith won 25 National titles in the throws and was women’s head coach of the brilliant Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Three-time Olympian, seven-time National champion Feuerbach was a world record-setting shot putter out of NAIA member Emporia State. UCLA grad, threetime Olympic gold medalist, still unchallenged world heptathlon record-holder Joyner-Kersee was - say no more - simply the finest female athlete, possibly the finest athlete of either gender, of the

Once staged as a backdrop to the USATF’s Jesse Owens Award presentations at the national federation’s annual meetings held around the nation, the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies now stand on their own legs and the “Black Tie and Sneakers” format has proven a winner.

The third annual “Black Tie and Sneakers” Gala is already scheduled, back at the Armory, on November 2, 2017. Circle the date, track and field fans.

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Stay True to Your Gift

By Debra CoCo

F

irst Choice – Annette Guest, Ursula Herring and Andrea A. Jackson Over 40 years of love, friend-

ship and music are the core com-

ponents of our featured legendary female group First Choice!!! Recently, our very own Pauline Swift was able sit down with Annette Guest, Ursula Herring and Andrea A. Jackson at the Resorts World Casino to discuss their career, key elements of their bond, challenges, and future plans. If you recall, First Choice originated from Philadelphia back in 1971. The ladies began their singing career while attending high school.

Their passion for singing led the ladies straight to their local radio station and they requested that a popular DJ Georgie Woods listen to them sing.

DJ Georgie Woods was blown away from their accapella version of Aretha’s Franklin’s “Oh Me, Oh My” which led him to introduce the ladies to Norman Harris and Allan Felder. The group was eventually signed to Salsoul Records under Philly Groove Label and the rest is history.

At the start of the interview, Mrs. Swift decided to ask the ladies about the challenges that they faced being in a female group. The ladies stated that their different personalities and styles of music were initial challenges that they had to overcome. In their opinion, it seems easier for

male groups to stay together over years but it is much harder for female groups. They pointed out that the right formula for them has been their genuine love and respect for each other, friendship, talent, and respecting their differences. As friends, they knew when to give each other space and they respected each other’s opinion when it came to making group decisions and handling business. They consider themselves to be like the “Three Musketeers” which was refreshing to hear after so many years of friendship.

During the height of their career, the group received world recognition for many hits such as Armed and Extremely Dangerous, Dr. Love, Guilty, Let No Man Put Asunder and Mr. Smarty Pants to name a few. Early influences for the group members were Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. Back in the day, the group performed on many popular stages like Soul Train and the Apollo Theatre. Their era of music was very soulful and influential to many artists that have launched their careers after them. Some of their classic hits have been remade by Mary J Blige “Let No Man Put Us Under” (1999), along with, Faith Evans and Jessica Reed (gospel version) did a remake of “Dr. Love.” Their music also has been sampled by many artists and producers in other genres of music such as Jungle Brothers and Todd Terry. The ladies feel honored to be recognized

they have an impacted their music.

Over the past 20 years, the ladies remained busy working within the entertainment business but ventured out in different paths. Andrea continued singing with different bands and groups.

Ursula performed gospel music and worked in theatre while raising her child in North Carolina.

Annette was busy working as a session singer and toured with her husband’s gospel group. Together the couple wrote the hit songs for Stephanie Mills (I Feel Good All Over) and Miki Howard (Love under New Management). As you can see, music remained a major part of their lives.

In 2014, the ladies were reunited and performed for Salsoul Records at their reunion show.

Currently, they are back on the scene performing in different cities. Their future plans are to work on new music to be released very soon. Annette Guest, Ursula Herring and Andrea Jackson are still living out their dreams and we appreciate them sharing their story with us. They are truly blessed and ready to continue sharing their talent with the world. Stay tuned for more from the fabulous ladies of First Choice.

In order to reach the group for bookings and additional information, reach out to Michael Bollack 718-775-5560. n

by other artists in the business and to know that

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Dr. George Onuorah Many politicians, pundits and people are still scratching their head wondering about the surprising outcome of presidential election 2017. The surprising outcome is really how a so called political novice like Mr. Donald Trump emerged winner, a billionaire, real estate magnet who many never really gave any chance. But yet he not only crushed his primary opponents about sixteen of them.

For me personally, I initially thought Jeb Bush will emerge the Republican candidate and Hilary Clinton for Democrats, so as to have a contest of two very powerful political family. Boy, was I wrong. Jeb was vanquished before we knew it by Mr. Trump. Remember his caricature of Mr. Bush ‘low energy’ also Marco Rubio another promising young emerging Republican was similarly vanquished by Trump. The same faith awaited the likes of Ted Cruz, Cris Cristy and John Carson.

So the question is how was Mr. Trump able to mow down opponents of his Republican primary peers and Hilary Clinton in the November general election? What ideological bent was he cut from, what is it that actually propelled him to surprising success we witnessed in his race? Did his opponents self-destruct or had not enough locus standi to fight the political fight. But as you know, it’s always advised and suggested that in politics if you cannot stand the heat you should get off the kitchen.

My guess quite simply is that folks from the onset never really gave Mr. Trump a fighting chance.

To these group, he is simply a rich guy, billionaire real estate magnet clowning or clamoring for attention and never really gave him a chance. Essentially, Mr. Trump from pollsters to pundits, nobody really gave him a chance. But meanwhile, being a master business savvy and strategist he plotted

his part to victory. But in the words of the great Robert Deniro in one of his movie role, “Whoever is left standing …that is how we know who won”.

Trump trounced his opponents and opposition.

Mr. Donald Trump is not your typical politician who looks to pollsters to direct his every move.

He may actually be a crossover between a maverick and bleeding heart conservative blended with American Exceptionalism with some infusion of Christian belief or doctrinaire. Some may call him a pragmatist who sees a problem and thinks solution in his head and would push the solution until you agree with him. The man has very strong personality and thick skin. What you see is what you get and does not really bend and acquiesce like other politicians or peers.

Americans and indeed the rest of the world should get used to his new brand of politics called “Trumpism” a phrase attributed to Newt Gingrich.

One of the smartest and savvy political leaders to pass through United States Congress and was during his time the Speaker of the House. Some may describe President Trump as ‘egotistical’ but he remains true to who he is and will always remain. There is a saying ‘By their fruits we know them. So are you surprised that what you see is what you get?

Pointless going into why Democratic Party got trounced because depending on who you speak with, everyone has their version of facts. Some will blame the anointed candidate Hilary Clinton, others blame self-styled progressive Senator Bernie Sanders for putting up a gallant fight and never surrendered to calls he quit the race before he messes up the chance of defeating the Republican candidate. Some attribute loss by Democrats to the African American voters who became complacent and probably stayed home since they don’t really

see ‘Hope and Change’ in Hilary Clinton. Black president Barack Obama won in 2008 and 2012 with astonishing margin of victories.

Meanwhile in the heartland of America, Mr. Trump was incubating his secret weapon of voters.

According post-election analysis, White women voted 53 percent for Trump. Catholic Democrats also swung to Trump as he preached his anti-Muslim message panic and securing America against “those who want to hurt us”. NYT reported that in areas where Trump won by 70 percent of vote, the number of vote there rose some 2.9percent

against those cast in 2012 election. That is some shift in demography.

Unfortunately, election is like a beauty contest, whoever inspires and moves people often wins.

So if the Democrats failed the reason is not only what Trump did. There must be a soul searching to be done by the vanquished to get to the root cost of any demise. But one thing is clear as night and day. That thing is that Mr. Trump as President of United States has immediately began to put his feet down and cement his position as he charts a conservative part for America called Trumpism. n

Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.

BY: PAULINE SWIFT AND GEORGE ONUORAH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JOSEPH SWIFT

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Transforming The

B R O N X

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HON. RUBIN DIAZ BRONX BP

In this exclusive interview conducted on Oct. 5 by Our World Media team, Pauline Swift and George Onuorah discussed “Prosperity and Politics” with Hon. Rubin Diaz, President of the Borough of the Bronx.

Our goal quite simply was to talk about some progress Mr. Diaz has made since assuming the mantle of leadership of the Bronx, “the forgotten borough” that quietly is regaining her old lost glory. We discussed how he is bringing in investment dollars for development and job creation. How things are working out with Bronx becoming so ethnically diverse and with the differences stemming from such diversity. But no discussion with young, ambitious, humble and savvy leader like Rubin Diaz without throwing in the question possible interest about running for New York City mayor?” For all we know, speculation has been riff and continues to incubate that as a Democratic Party ‘Rising Star in the Big Apple , New York City’ he is being counted as a prospective candidate who may throw their hat in the political ring and challenge current Mayor Bill de Blasio. Many continues to hear a chorus of voices calling on anyone interested to step up and make an interesting contest come November.

Rubin Diaz was inspired to venture into politics following father’s footstep. His father Rubin Diaz Sr. was involved in politics in late 70’s running for Office in 1980. According Rubin Diaz Jr. “I was helping my dad, knocking on doors, collecting petitions and for other candidates too. “My mother thought us to give back to the community.”

All that inspired him to get into politics that at age 21 years-old he ran for Democratic district leader and won.

Rubin did not rest on his laurels of his achievement nor that of father and so ran and became the youngest member of the New York State Assembly. Began from New York State Assembly in 1997 and succeeded his predecessor Adolfo Carrion as Bronx BP, was reelected in November 2013 with over 89 percent vote margin on his second full term as Bronx Borough President.

Ruben Diaz Jr. discussed implementation of a robust agenda on economic development, housing, education, and public safety. Under his watch since 2009 the Bronx has seen over $9.4 billion in new development. Plus more than 23,000 new units of housing, and creation of thousands of new jobs. In his dispensation as Bronx Borough President 15,000 new jobs created in The Bronx since 2009 with the help of Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Diaz is very proud and is the first one to tell you he cut unemployment in half, and 100,000 jobs over seven years. To boost job creation he attracted the Silver Cup Studio as the film industry doing a lot of work in the Bronx. Tech industries also booming in the Bronx. Since assuming office 100,000 more people are working than when Mr. Diaz Jr took office.

What has made the Bronx a “Special Borough” include her diversity as forty percent of her residents come from other countries. But regardless of challenges and all, everyone whether originally from Africa or Albania or Latin America still believe in themselves and under current Bronx leadership have opportunities to make it working to support families and be a good neighbor. With Police department decreasing crime rate investment attracted and residents feeling a sense of harmony. According to Bronx BP “My colleagues in government from the City Council, State Assembly or Senate we speak in unism. In addition, Carl Hestie first African American being Speaker of the State Assembly is for all intents and purposes a good thing for our county. Always cheerleading for the Bronx Mr. Rubin Diaz stated “We want to be treated like the other counties.”

About challenges the Bronx is facing and as Borough President he is looking to overcome. As expected he men-

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R I S I N G S TA R I N T H E B I G A P P L E

tioned “We wish we have more resources”. You have two sides to every coin, People outside should take a look at us, we are the New Bronx, ‘vibrant and safer’. We have to learn to take care of us ‘Bronx’.

Other agenda he wants to accomplish include –Connecting ferry service to City Island, the Kingsbridge Armory to come to fruition, Develop Harlem River Water Front etc. Those are very ambitious projects and programs which if he is able to execute will definitely elevate his statue as a political leader to be reckoned with not only in the State of New York but the nation.

But as everyone knows, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”, understanding that improving quality of education will go a long way to open so many doors of opportunities for county residents. In the last 2 years, with his tenacity and cool approach, Gov. Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Hestie helping with resources to have more English as a second language. Rubin Jr. Administration funding Science Labs. But the Bronx need more help to do better in education the Bronx BP stressed.

Since he was imbued with the heavy modicum of responsibility to lead the Bronx, Mr. Rubin Diaz Jr has courted and encouraged people outside of his borough to re-think about relocating back to his borough. Is it surprising one of his bold ambitious plan is one of transforming the Bronx to become an attractive county or “the next Silicon Valley”. Who knows immigrant families struggling to make it and looking for a nice, harmonious borough that is safe to raise their children will no doubt give the borough a second look.

The Bronx BP discussed with our correspondence Pauline Swift and George Onuorah about other equally significant topics. From the Black Lives Matter movement to the spike Police Shooting, As far as Mr. Diaz is concerned “Cops who shoot unarmed men should go to jail. They should be arrested and indicted and go to jail. He had a sister who is a retired police Sargent and what we are not seeing is justice. Often times, minority communities Latino and African Americans are policed differently. “We are not seeing justice system holding police officers accountable.” In the words of Martin Luther King Jr. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice

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everywhere”. But when justice is delayed that justice is presumed denied. To maintain harmony serious conversation is required and political leaders must lead the way.

About the Presidential election won by Republican Donald Trump and his own ambition or lack thereof for higher office in the City of New York he also had something to say. But first, many probably don’t know but the Bronx is home to about 61,000 African immigrants. Like every other minority striving to access resources and opportunities such as find available jobs, healthcare and good schools for their children. Other immigrant communities, Dominicans and others from Latin America work to make their lives relevant make best out of what is available. So obviously, the borough of the Bronx in any election will play key roles in helping determine outcome of races whether for local or national office.

Talking about the 2016 Presidential election, Mr. Diaz Jr. expressed these premonitions “the polls are so close it concerns me”. “If we are not careful and work hard we may be surprised. When Trump started we thought it was a joke because coming from Reality TV referring to his show “The Apprentice. It’s “No longer a joke”. Now that November election is history we know Mr. Diaz Jr was right in his reservation about the importance of folks coming out to vote and not being complacent. Many still wondering if the outcome of the election was a bad dream. Trump won with more than 270 electoral votes besting the more experienced presumptive favorite Hillary Clinton in a race politicians and pundits expected her to win. Why Democrats lost is another topic for another time.

Borough President Diaz has also put forward a robust legislative agenda, for a new “living wage” law in New York City, which passed in May 2012 and requires developers that receive heavy taxpayer funding for their project to pay the employees of that development a “Living wage.” Borough President Diaz has also put forward legislation to create a letter grading system for nail salons and other cosmetology businesses and to develop a public registry of felony gun offenders.

On health, Borough President Diaz has also launched the his

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NEW YORK CITY

“#Not62” Initiative, aimed at improving social and economic factors that will help promote more positive health behaviors within for Bronx residents, including help attain better access to clinical care as well as well improve social and economic factors. In October 2015, The Bronx received The RWJF Culture of Health Prize, which honors communities which place a high priority on health.

Hon. Diaz since assuming office in 2009 has allocated millions in funding to projects of all types in every Bronx neighborhood, for new technology upgrades to borough schools, green roofs and boiler upgrades, park improvements and more.

In the State Assembly, Ruben Diaz Jr. served as Chair of the Committee on Election Law and on the Assembly’s Standing Committees

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on Education, Ways & Means, Children and Families, Environmental Conservation and Transportation. He was also a member of the Assembly’s Puerto Rican and Hispanic Task Force and the Black/Puerto Rican and Asian Legislative Caucus.

A lifelong resident of the Bronx, Hon. Diaz the Borough President Diaz resides in the Southeast Bronx with his wife Hilda Gerena Diaz and their two sons, Ruben Diaz III and Ryan Isaiah Diaz.

Mr. Rubin Diaz graduated from Lehman College, CUNY, with a BA degree in political theory. Borough President Diaz was awarded honorary doctoral degrees in civil law from Berkeley College and Mercy College, and doctoral degree in humane letters from the Metropolitan College of New York. n

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THE WILL TO LEAD

An Interview with of Hon. Rubin Wills BY: PAULINE SWIFT

Our World Media Magazine (OWM magazine) Ms. Pauline Swift somewhat candidate interview with New York City Councilmember Mr. Rubin Will, the atmosphere and ambiance was relaxing at his Southeast Queens district Office, as he talked about his humble beginning and journey into politics that began in South Jamaica, the constituency he represents and his ascendency to the leadership of probably one of the most neediest district in Queens with the exception of Far Rockaway. His district encompass South Road now renamed Tuskegee Airman Way, an area in the 70’s had the dubious distinction for negative and nefarious activities with prevalence of drugs, gangs and prostitution. Today, South Road, thanks to the able leadership of Hon. Wills, the entire section all cleaned up and renamed after the Tuskegee Airman. Only a stone throw to York College CUNY, type in South Road on GPS what you will get is Tuskegee Airman Way. The Tuskegee Airman gave African Americans something to look up to. Mr. Wills will tell you how sometimes you see names of hero’s on street, but only to find the street full of potholes. That alone is an unbelievable achievement for a politician who for better or worse is unfairly maligned for inaction and also vilified by opponents. But in politics like every human activity, you will have your cheerleader’s and detractors.

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How did Mr. Wills come to lead the 28th New York City Council district? Council Member Ruben Wills won the special election held November 2010 after the death of Hon. Thomas White, Jr. But before then, a vision about what path God has created for him was to become a politician so he can help constituents clamoring for able dynamic leadership. His district include: Southeast Queens, Rosedale, Richmond Hills, South Ozone Park, Baisely Park and South Jamaica.

Politics was not really in his DNA, but no question he was a young man that grew up in the most difficult of circumstances born in South East Queens and grew up in the South Jamaica Houses.

A product of public school and graduated from PS 40 and Edison High School. Mr. Wills is a family man and married to wife Marcia.

Both are affiliated with St. Albans Congregation Church.

Council Member Wills at a young age of 21 already has a vision that spurred him to become an entrepreneur in home contracting business creating a positive environment for and center of opportunity for many young adults, providing second chance for the previously incarcerated, plus other at-risk residents of the

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community to obtain much needed the vocational skills. Such provisions helped create alternatives to avoid recidivism remaining in the trapped condition of poverty and prison.

Rubin was always trying to help others especially in his around neighborhood where he grew up and started two community-based organizations- The Christian Basketball League, Inc. consisted of 60 churches and providing safe haven of activities for hundreds of neighborhood children. New York 4 Life is a nonprofit entity to help single mothers on civic literacy and financial empowerment.

In 2003, Rubin worked as Special Assistant to Hon. Leroy Comrie helping residents with affordable housing issues and State Senator Shirley Huntley identifying early signs of foreclosure crisis, including protecting residents from predatory lending.

Supported Shirley Huntley effort to increase community and parents involvement in New York City Public Schools at the heat of politics over mayoral control of schools.

Mr. Wills talked about the new transformation that his district is undergoing and investment in new skyline type structures such as the 5 Star hotels in downtown Jamaica that is certain to change Jamaica as we know it for better or worse. Ms. Wills “We‘re trying to build up and not getting what we deserve as a community…”

Essentially, in the midst of rebuilding and new developments the character of neighborhood is sometimes compromised. One hopes that investment of capital money in downtown Jamaica not only improves the economic climate but should spur creation of jobs and help revitalize South East Queens for good. Those are expectations for a leader determined to see positive growth and creation of jobs improve lives of those he gives his all representing.

The challenges for Mr. Wills remain the issue of affordable housing. In NYC as in many other urban metropolis and certainly under this dispensation of Mayor Bill de Blasio the is-

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sues of homelessness and inadequacy of affordable housing are among the perils. Hon. Will’s not really happy as he tracks and fights the fact that underperforming teachers are pushed over to schools in his district contributing to students not doing well.

On education and Day Care Center initiative, he described a great opportunity for parents to pay only a small percentage for their children education in the long run. In this Day care center program, when a child is enrolled a slot is already guaranteed for them in the university as their tuition is frozen at the present market prices. Under a pre-arranged scheme, the investors invest for the tuition to be taken care of. Tuition Frozen at current rate until college with no changes including inflation. Others include capital enrichment programs with curriculum rich in performing arts teaching aspiring artists and others how to write music.

About Public Safety and Police Department? Mr. Wills stated “the Commanding Officers are partners with us. Addressing such quality of life issues as trucks illegally parked on the street creating a nuisance. In his district, ‘the Commanding Officers work with us’. His allies are colleagues at the New York City Council namely Jumaine Williams, and Robert E. Cornegy Jr. together they strive to maintain healthy relationship between police and minority community in New York City. Hon. Wills certainly understand that at the precinct level is where the continuous effort need to be made to keep relationships cordial.

Asked about the Trump winning the U.S Presidential election and what his take was? He felt that “minorities are disappointed”.

We should be disappointed Democrat’s did not reach out to minorities enough. You can’t ignore a whole segment and think everything will be alright. This election will be a re-set button.

“They need to know our vote has value on it” We should be disappointed. We need to have a platform to make it attractive to come out and vote. Some continues to feel that segments or some voting blocs either stayed home, some grew complacent and still others were turned off by the negativity in the campaign.

The topic of why Democrats failed to win the white house is one that will take time to figure out. The ‘excitement’ and ‘hope’ that made minorities (African Americans) come out in 2008 was absent and did not activate us.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy – Martin Luther King, Jr. So we know that Mr. Wills joined SEIU Local 1199 attempt to stop the eventual closure of Mary Immaculate Hospital and aligned with veteran organizations to keep St. Albans VA Hospital Open. n

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Victoria Schneps-Yunis - A women for all seasons Written by: Veteran Broadcast Journalist, Wayne Gillman Recently, Correspondent Pauline Swift visited the headquarters of Queens Newspaper Publisher, Victoria Schneps-Yunis. The successful Businesswoman entered the world of Journalism close to 50 years ago. This, after suffering a personal tragedy with her daughter, Lara, who succumbed to brain damage at an early age. Schneps -Yunis, originally from Brooklyn, New York raised a family of four with the help of her ex -husband, a successful attorney. The couple eventually settled in Queens County before divorcing.

But the challenges of raising their daughter, Lara will forever link them in not only a familial way. Their history will change the medical landscape in New York permanently when it comes to treating those with a mental infirmity.

Around this time, Schneps-Yunis learned firsthand the power of the press when she recruited the help of former WABC-Television reporter Geraldo Rivera. The Latino Broadcast Journalist was known for his reporter -advocacy style which was a relatively new phenomenon.

His background as a legendary participant in the Puerto Rican political activists group. The Young Lords» set the foundation for effecting change through the prism of the television lens.

Rivera managed to enter the decrepit Willowbrook facility and witnessed firsthand the horrendous conditions inside the so called mental institution. Rivera’s reportorial effort and Schneps-Yunis organizational skills were making the public aware nightly on TV the dysfunctional climate at Willowbrook. It eventually resulted in its closing.

The aforementioned was the golden seed that planted an indelible image in the mind of Schneps -Yunis to launch a In the 1960’s, kids like Lara were placed in facilities like the infamous Willowbrook Center in Staten Island, because media platform to keep New Yorkers informed. Today she is responsible for the publishing of several community most families were advised by the medical establishment newspapers. She readily admits it has been an entirely it was a place for quality care. The experience for Schneps -Yunis and Lara›s father was just the opposite. It trial and error effort with a $250 dollar investment. And the rest is history, as they say. She is frequently recognized prompted her ex husband to design a measure that members of the NYS legislature at the time turned into law calling by civic organizations, lawmakers and her peers in the media business. She concludes that her undying for the creation of group homes to house the patients. determination has yielded a great reward after 50 years of service. n

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JUDGE CHEREE A. BUGGS

Pauline Swift Our World Media Magazine Entertainment Editor and Special Correspondent caught up with Judge Buggs immediately after she was sworn-in where she held refreshment celebration for many who witnessed the momentous event.

and appreciate her simplicity, down-to-earth personality and high moral compass. In her words, “It’s always a challenge to strike a balance, I would imagine it’s like that for most women.” She went on “My major goal is to raise a well- balanced child. A well balanced adult. She (Cydnee) is three and will be four. Nothing greater to raise a well -balanced child that will become a productive member of society.”

Induction was held inside a court room at the Queens Civil Court located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY.

Pauline Swift on what type of advice for any young woman who want to be a lawyer?

In attendance were judges, attorneys, political leaders such Hon. Leroy Comrie, New York City Council Member Daneek Miller, Friends and Family, some familiar faces from the Guy R. Brewer Democratic Club, and still more from inside and outside her community. The Master of Ceremony was none other than Judge Cheree Buggs brother who is a renowned Radio Personality Fred Buggs. During the induction, The Oath of Office was by Hon. Patricia Polson Scatterfield. Retired justice of the Supreme Court. Cheree will serve 14 year terms on the State Supreme Court in Queens. The Honor Guard performed and singing of the National Anthem.

According to Judge Buggs, Cheree being one who believes in cutting through the chase stated and suggested the following “Be serious about your goals. Try and find role models and mentors to give you the guidance you need.

INDUCTION INTO NYS SUPREME COURT

Cheree graduated with a B.A. degree from New York University in 1983 and J.D. from Temple University in 1986.

Admitted to the Bar U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of NY 2008.

Pauline Swift following up with the question - Do you mentor young people in your community? As expected Judge Cheree Buggs answer was “As many as I can”. It’s all about giving back. Trying to assist other people to get where you’ve gone.”

Pauline Swift – What do you want your legacy to be? In Judge Buggs characteristic simplistic humble fashion, she stated how she wants her legacy to be about someone who gave of herself. Worked hard for the community. As a judge, she wants to be seen as a person who tried to be fair and balanced with judicial temperament. As somebody who fancied herself as a servant more than anything else. Somebody who look to serve the public.

Congratulations to Judge Cheree A. Buggs! n

U.S. Supreme Court 2000 New York State Appellate Division, 2nd Department 1987 Pauline Swift – What made her choose law as vocation?

Judge Buggs -I definitely thought I would. As a teenager Judge Buggs stated from young age she really wanted to be a lawyer because she had good verbal skills, excelled at making arguments, fancied herself as a feminist and never really wanted a “traditional female” vocation such as teaching. She stated she was mainly attracted to what she perceived as a male-oriented profession law appealed to her.

Pauline Swift- Asked about how she was able to balance her robust professional career as a Judge and raising daughter Cydnee?

Her candid response was telling and goes to show the humility of Judge Buggs, one of the reasons those who know her admire

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Judge Buggs being presented with flowers.

Photo by: Joseph Swift

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The Revise of Sutphin Blvd!

Pauline Swift sits down with Glen Greenidge Executive Director of Sutphin Blvd. BID (Business Improvement District)

to discuss the future of Sutphin Blvd. in Jamaica, Queens Written by: Michael Delgado

Pauline Swift,of Our Media Magazine here in Queens. I’m honored to be speaking with Glen Greenidge, the Executive director of the Sutphin Boulevard BID Corporation.

state as well as the city grant process to get funding for projects.

Glen Greenidge – Yes.

Glen Greenidge - this particular business has been established since 2004 but I’ve been executive director since last December.

My background however is in business and computers. I have a a major in that area, and I’ve supported small to medium fortune 1000 businesses as well in my business career.

Pauline - what does BID stand for?

Glen Greenidge - Business Improvement District. The district consist of a 94th Sutphin Hillside and its been sanctioned by the City Counsel. It’s a business that’s been identified by the city to be supported. My job is to promote market and to bring new businesses and new people into the district to help the business grow and expand.

Pauline - so you also have to work with the city council people and the board?

Glen Greenidge - Yes and the other city council elected officials.

I get involved with the state representatives as well as the federal representatives in some cases. Anything that corresponds with this particular business card, I would initiate the programs that are available. I would find programs that I would reach across the

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Pauline - how long have you been in businesses?

Pauline - What has been your biggest challenge over the years in businesses?

Glen Greenidge - My biggest challenge in business would be my personal adjustment in making sure that I am in the lines of corporations with the local elected officials. Prior to doing community work and development, I was not aware of the importance of the local elected officials. I always voted, but I didn’t get involved with the local politics. In 2009, Isa Edirockmon and I established Farmers boulevard Community development corporation, and that my first exposure to the importance of the local officials in the local non profit. Not for profits have been hurting and have been trying to do more with less. Over the years they’ve been getting less Winter 2017

and less. They’ve been looking for creative ways to find and fund projects. The elected officials have had some access to city counsel more so than the state. The state has cut back and no longer have access to discretionary funding at all, so the federal politicians don’t have access to this funding. This climate and terrain has changed a bit for not for profits.

Pauline - Would you say politics and business go hand and hand?

Glen Greenidge – Well, you’ve got to know what the interests are for the local area businesses. Most politicians are smart enough to realize that they need to support any involvement. One thing I look for in this downtown Jamaica, its not what it used to be in the 60s and 70s. In the past people came to Jamaica avenue from the Bronx from long Island-- all different aspects. We’ve lost that retails prominence that we’ve had. One of my visions is to recreate that prominence. To bring it back to what it once was. That means bringing in new kinds of retailers. Getting rid of the dollar stores.

Our community has been filled with the cheater merchandising kind of things.

Pauline - Is it true that a few hotels are coming to Sutphin Boulevard?

Glen Greenidge - It is true hotels are coming to Sutphin Boulevard.

If you look at a map of the area, they’re ten areas being proposed for building. Some are smaller than others, but in my bin specially, were talking about the Holiday Inn and The Hilton Garden Inn. Just outside my area will be the Marriott Courtyard Hotel and The Spring Suites. Across the street will be a loft style hotel.

Pauline - This particular area is because of the Long Island railroad and Kennedy Airport correct?

Glen Greenidge - Yes. What I’ve heard is that TWA Terminal in JFK Airport was sanctioned a landmark, and there’s a hotel Project called the TWA Hotel that’s going to be based around that project.

They’re spending sixty- two million dollars in renovating the Hotel and putting the area back to what it was in the 60s and creating a couple hundred hotel rooms on the outskirts of that. Now what they said, which I thought was interesting, was that the the occupancy here in the south-east Queens area was higher than that in Manhattan, and because of that, a lot of hotels are coming to the area. So that is going to be part of the increased in occupancy.

Because of this, it makes sense. Now, we have to be careful that the supply and demand, because of if you have too much supply, and demand gets reduced, you wont be able to fill them, If they don’t get filled then what as happened in this area, is that they turn into shelter. We don’t want to promote this in this area, so we want to make sure that we have that kind of occupancy. To get back to your

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question, yes with the railroad and plane terminal, they’re talking about twenty thousand people coming in through these areas a day. What I found interesting when listening to statistics was that twenty percent of people who come in to JFK are first time travelers into the United States. So you’re talking about a slew of people coming in, wanting to visit New York, and what most tourists information posts are preaching is that there is more to New York than Manhattan. So, now were talking about the outer boroughs getting some of the action. We have some great opportunities here.

We have the Rufus King Manor Museum in Rufus Park which is the legacy of Rufus King, but we also have Grace Church which is the second oldest church in New York. We also have York College. We have some historical values that have potential to produce travel and income.

Pauline - Now, the hotels will also create job opportunities for people. As of right now one of the biggest places that opened doors was the casino, which brought a lot of jobs to people. So, with the hotels that will be an addition. They will have restaurants as well, correct?

Glen Greenidge - The hotels will bring in 100,000 of square feet of commercial retail space. That the DRP company project on the corner of Arch and Sutphin where the old Duane Reade used to be. That will bring 580 residential apartments, but it will also bring 100,000 square feet of commercial space. Were looking to get nice restaurants, nice table cloth type restaurant would be great. One of my visions would be to have an Apple store in that complex as well as on the level or Nordstrom. Something on a high level of retail, and to bring back Jamaica.

Pauline - What is your time frame. How much time are we looking at?

Glen Greenidge - The next three to five years, this area will be dramatically changing. With change, wed also have to be mindful of not displacing the people who are here now. So, that also and important economy that we have to manage the community.

Pauline - Where would the people go?

Glen Greenidge - We want to keep them in this area. We also want to provide affordable housing as part of the development of the downtown area. With the company’s project, the five-hundred and eighty is going to be one third low income, one third middle, and one third market. Around the corner of 149th and 94th , an involvement company is looking to have three-hundred and eighty units of all affordable housing, so we have a good mix to maintain and to keep the area affordable as well as bringing in this new area of retail.

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Pauline - As far as the youth, we don’t have a community center.

I’ve spoken to several politicians who have agreed that its needed.

Is that in the works?

Glen Greenidge - One of the initiatives in which were looking at is having some business incubator accelerator so that the entrepreneur ideas that our young people have will actually have a home to to develop the business ideas along the way. There are a couple of different forces who are focusing on inspiring this field who look at providing the things they need.

Pauline - Does that also include WIFI and different technology?

Glen Greenidge - Were talking about Tech companies now, but we’ve spoken to people in the “Jamaica Now” project. They have installed WIFI along Jamaica Avenue. I am looking to creating an app that will open up and that will depict the district that will show what’s in the district. It would provide coupons and sale items in different retail establishments inside the district as something that would help promote it. Our young people are more electronic minded, and so its important to us as business people to make sure that they’re hooked into the conversation and they have the access to do so. We have to look at how we do business development differently and how to correct it so it fits the

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environment. That’s one of the challenges as an executive director.

Pauline - On a personal level, what would you like to do as far as your career is concerned.

Glen Greenidge - One of the things I would look forward to is possibly doing some development work specifically. Actually creating some community development projects that the community could invest in. one of the the groups I’m working with, to propose a south east queens credit union. The credit union offers a piece called a CDFI (Community Development Funding Investment)which offers the community the capability to invest in community project. I would like to do this on a community level so that we own some of the projects in our own community.

We’ve waited for other people to put money in our community, and I think id like to create an engine that we could actually develop what we want in our community, and I think that that would make a big difference in terms of pride and creating jobs for us and our youth. That would also give us more in a say of what would get developed in our community.

Pauline - That sounds wonderful, I wish you the best of luck.

Our World Media, Pauline Swift. n Glen Greenidge - Thank you.

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Queens Sprinter Wins at 2017

Armory Track Invitational By: Joseph Swift On Saturday February 4, 2017 we got to see some outstanding completion on the track. New Balance Armory Track & Field Center in Washington Heights was home to the Armory Track Invitational one of the Armory’s most prestigious meets. Under one roof, the meet featured a combination of US Olympians, international pros, the collegians, and some of the nations best high schoolers.

Lalonde Gordon running the 300m in 32.37 Photo by: Joseph Swift

THE BATTLE OF THE SPRINTERS Two-time 2012 Olympic bronze medalist sprinter Lalonde Gordon of Queens, NY began his 2017 indoor track season in blazing success winning the Councilman Mark Levine Men’s 300 meters in 32.37 which makes that the seventh-fastest time in history. Not far behind Gordon taking second was high school phenom sophomore Tyrese Cooper of Miami Gardens Express clocking in at 32.87 to take second and breaking the world junior record.

Tyrese Cooper after breaking the world junior record. Photo by : Joseph Swift

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THE TEACHER VS THE STUDENT

Ajee Wilson with another victory. Photo by: Joseph Swift

Olympian and NJ native Ajee Wilson takes home a victory in the women’s 600m outstanding fashion in a time of 1:24.48 the fourthfastest time ever but just short of the world record (1:23.44 set by Russia’s Olga Kotlyasova in 2004) and the American record (Brenda Martinez’s 1:23.59 in 2013.)

High school star Samantha Watson had the opportunity to race against her mentor Ajee. Watson stated, “The pressure was off of me to go out and set a pace,” Watson felt that would let her run her race and be competitive. She admits to still being nervous out there because she knew Wilson would go out fast. Despite being nervous, Watson still found a way to break her 600-meter high school record of 1:28.67, which she set a few weeks ago on a flat track in upstate New York. At the Armory Track Invitational she shaved off some time off her personal best running a 1:27.13. It looks hopeful that she will go under two minutes in the 800m before graduating from Rush-Henrietta HS.

L) Ajee Wilson (R)Samantha Watson after their 600m run. Photo By: Joseph Swift

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Two American Records Set During 110th NYRR Millrose Games By: Nick Nicholas NEW YORK, February 11, 2017 – Ajee’ Wilson continues to shine at The Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center, her favorite running venue, winning Saturday’s Women’s 800 meters for the fourth year in a row during the nationally-televised 110th NYRR Millrose Games.

By winning with a 1:58.27 time, the 22-year-old former Neptune High School (N.J.) product, established a new American indoor record before a sold-out Armory crowd in Washington Heights. She eclipsed the 1:58.71 mark set by Nicole Teter in 2002.

“This has been a progression to get where I am,” said Wilson, who resides in Philadelphia. “Of all the Millrose Games I’ve run in, it’s fun to see how far I’ve come.

“My coach (Derek Thompson) and I don’t try to go after records. But before the race he said, ‘Go run your race.’

It wouldn’t make sense to not take a crack at it. The last two weeks have been going really well and the training has been great. I know what kind of shape I’m in and it’s all about opportunities.”

She outlasted adidas teammate, Charlene Lipsey, whose 1:58.64 also broke Teter’s former record. In the same race, high school running sensation Samantha Watson broke the 43-year-old national high school mark in the 800 set

by Mary Decker (Slaney) with a 2:01.28.

Speaking of American records, Olympic Gold Medalist Courtney Okolo set the Women’s Indoor 500m record with a 1:07.34 time, bettering Shane Cox’s 1:08.70 time in 2010.

The men’s NYRR Wanamaker Mile, the signature event of the NYRR Millrose Games, belonged to Nike Oregon Project’s Eric Jenkins. He outlasted U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy and local product Kyle Merber during the last 400 meters to win with a 3:53.23. Murphy (3:54:31) and Merber (3:54.67) finished second and third, respectively.

“It’s historic,” Jenkins said moments afterward, embracing the large Wanamaker trophy. “The best people run this race. It’s one of the good wins for me. I knew that I didn’t have the speed a lot of these guys have but I know I have the strength. I wanted to be in the front with 800 to go. I tried to pick up the pace when the rabbit got off.

It really went well for me.

“This is big. This is one of my best races.”

Sifan Hassan, the World Indoor Champion in the 1500m in 2016, captured the Women’s NYRR Wanamaker Mile, turning back runner-up Kate Grace and Nike Oregon Project teammate and two-time defending champion Shannon Rowbury. The 24-year-old Rio Olympian from the Netherlands won with a meet record 4:19.89 mark.

Olympic gold medalist Shaunae Miller captured the women’s 300 meters, one of the day’s most anticipated races.

Miller won with a 35.71 in an outstanding field that included Olympic gold medalist Natasha Hastings (36.88) and New Jersey high school Olympian Sydney McLaughlin (37.09).

Olympic gold medalist Katerina Stefanidi and silver medalist Sandi Morris continued their friendly rivalry during the John Catsimatidis Women’s Pole Vault. And just like during the Olympics in Rio and during last year’s NYRR Millrose Games, Stefanidi prevailed. She cleared 15.9 ¾ while Morris finished with 15.5 ¾.

Earlier in the day, Sweden’s Armand Duplantis set the boys’ junior world pole vault mark (18 feet, 10 3/4 inches).

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