June/July 2018

GOOD NEWS FROM THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

™ June/July 2018 thepositivecommunity.com

Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Says Namaste

Hooray for the Graduates!

$2.95

Bright Moments: Celebrating Dorthaan Kirk

AME First Episcopal District Conference Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival

Meet Brooklyn Borough President

Eric Adams

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Dr. Rudy Crew: Passion and Innovation at Medgar Evers College” Special Section: Newark City of Learning Collaborative Winter 2018 The Positive Community

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J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 8

CONTENTS 29

SECTIONS MONEY ................................... 13 HEALTH................................... 24 EDUCATION............................. 32 CULTURE ................................ 42

Features Cover photo by Regina Fleming

What’s Happening at Mount Pisgah ......................... 11 AME First Episcopal Conference .............................. 12 Shaq’s Back in Newark! .......................................... 13 Urban League Receives $825K ............................... 16 DiVincenzo Dedicates Technology School ................ 18 Brooklyn Community Center Remembers Joshua ...... 20

ON THE COVER:

Bronx NCNW Honors Women ................................... 21

Fighting Moments: Brooklyn Borough

General Baptist Convention of NJ ............................ 23

Newark’s POWERful Progression .............................. 22

President Eric Adams talks politics, health,

Fabulous Finish to Public Lecture Series ................. 24

and his legacy

Victory for E.B.C. and I.A.F. Leaders .......................... 27

&also inside

Meet Medgar Evers’ Dr. Rudy Crew ........................... 32 What College Looks Like for Newark Students ......... 36 Graduation & the Family Photo Album ..................... 38 Hooray for the Graduates! ....................................... 39

Publisher’s Desk .................................. 9 Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival .................................. 42 Dorthaan Kirk Newark’s First Lady of Jazz ............... 43 My View ............................................. 10 Dr. Valerie Oliver-Durrah is Called to Serve ............... 45 Fitness Doctor .................................... 26 First Hopewell B.C. Celebrates! ............................... 46 Gospel Train ....................................... 53 Blues and Beyond ................................................... 49 The Way Ahead .................................. 57 Eldridge Hawkins. Jr. Graduates! .............................. 54 The Last Word .................................... 58 Newark Symphony Hall Elects Board Chairman ........ 55 4

The Positive Community June/July 2018

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he clergy organizations, churches, community businesses and institutions listed below have committed to the purchase of at least 50 magazines per month at $1.50 each or they support this publication through the purchase of advertising. Find out more by calling 973-233-9200 or email rollcall@thepositivecommunity.com.

Abyssinian B.C., Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, Pastor

Community Church of God, Plainfield, NJ

Mariners’ Temple B.C., New York, NY Rev. Dr. Henrietta Carter, Pastor

Ruth Fellowship Ministries, Plainfield, NJ Rev. Tracey Brown, Pastor

Messiah Baptist Church, Bridgeport, CT Rev. James Logan, Pastor

Shiloh AME Zion Church, Englewood, NJ Rev. John D. Givens, Pastor

Messiah Baptist Church, East Orange, NJ Rev. Dana Owens, Pastor

Shiloh B.C., Plainfield, NJ Rev. Hodari K. Hamilton, Sr., Senior Pastor

Abyssinian B.C., Newark, NJ

Concord B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, Pastor

Abundant Life Fellowship COGIC, Newark, NJ Supt. Edward Bohannon, Jr., Pastor

Convent Avenue Baptist Church, New York, NY Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Willams, Pastor

Aenon Baptist Church, Vauxhall NJ Rev Alphonso Williams, Sr., Pastor

Ebenezer B.C. of Englewood, NJ Rev. Jovan Troy Davis, Pastor

Metropolitan B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. David Jefferson, Pastor

Shiloh B.C., Trenton, NJ Rev. Darell Armstrong, Pastor

Agape Baptist Church, Newark NJ Rev. Craig R. Jackson, Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church, Brooklyn NY Rev. Anthony Trufant, Pastor

Mount Calvary B.C., Englewood, NJ Rev. Dr. Vernon C. Walton, Senior Pastor

St. Anthony Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Duane E. Cooper, Pastor

Antioch Baptist Church., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Robert M. Waterman, Pastor

Empire Missionary B.C., Convention NY Rev. Dr. Carl T. Washington, Jr., Pastor

St. John Baptist Church, Camden, NJ Rev. Dr. Silas M. Townsend, Pastor

Archdiocese of New York Brother Tyrone Davis, Office of Black Ministry

Fellowship Missionary B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. Elton T. Byrd Pastor/Founder

Mount Calvary United Methodist Church, New York, NY Rev. Francis Kairson, Pastor

Baptist Ministers Conference of Greater NY & Vicinity Rev. Dr. Charles A. Curtis, President

First B.C. of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset NJ Rev. Dr. DeForest (Buster) Soaries, Pastor

Berean B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Arlee Griffin Jr., Pastor

Rev. Patrick Henry Young, Pastor

First Baptist Church, East Elmhurst, NY

Mt. Neboh Baptist Church, Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Johnnie Green Jr., Pastor Mt. Pisgah B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor Mount Olive Baptist Church, Hackensack, NJ Rev. Gregory J. Jackson, Pastor

St. John’s B.C., Scotch Plains, NJ Rev. Dr. Evans L. Spagner, Interim Senior Pastor St. Luke AME Church, Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Hooper, Pastor St. Luke Baptist Church of Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Johnnie McCann, Pastor St Luke B.C., Paterson, NJ Rev. Kenneth D.R. Clayton, Pastor

Bethany B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey, Sr. Pastor

First Baptist Church of Teaneck, NJ Rev. Dr. Marilyn Monroe Harris, Pastor

Bethany B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Timothy E. Jones, Pastor

First Corinthian Baptist Church, NY Rev. Michael A. Walrond, Jr., Senior Pastor

Bethlehem Missionary B.C., Roselle, NJ Rev. Jeffrey Bryan, Pastor

First Park Baptist Church, Plainfield, NJ Rev. Rufus McClendon, Jr., Pastor

Beulah Bible Cathedral Church, Newark, NJ Gerald Lydell Dickson, Senior Pastor

First Baptist Church, South Orange, NJ Rev. Dr. Terry Richardson, Pastor

Calvary Baptist Church, Garfield, NJ Rev. Calvin McKinney, Pastor

Friendship Baptist Church, Rahway, NJ Rev. Allen Thompson, Jr., Pastor

Calvary Baptist Church, Morristown, NJ Rev. Jerry M. Carter, Jr., Pastor

General Baptist Convention, NJ Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr., President

Canaan B. C. of Christ, Harlem, NY Rev. Thomas D. Johnson, Pastor

Good Neighbor Baptist Church Rev. Dr. George A. Blackwell, III, Pastor

Canaan B.C., Paterson, NJ Rev. Barry L. Graham, Pastor

Grace B. C., Mt. Vernon, NY Rev. Dr. Franklyn W. Richardson, Pastor

New Jerusalem Worship Center, Jamaica, NY Rev. Dr. Calvin Rice, Senior Pastor

St. Paul Community B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. David K. Brawley, Pastor

Cathedral International., Perth Amboy, NJ Bishop Donald Hilliard, Pastor

Greater Abyssinian B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Allen Potts, Senior Pastor

New Life Cathedral, Mt. Holly, NJ Rev. Eric Wallace, Pastor

The New Hope B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Joe Carter, Senior Pastor

Greater Zion Hill B.C., Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Frank J. Blackshear, Pastor

New Zion B.C., Elizabeth, NJ Rev. Kevin James White, Pastor

Union Baptist Temple,, Bridgeton, NJ Rev. Albert L. Morgan, Pastor

Christian Cultural Center, Brooklyn, NY Rev. A.R. Barnard, Pastor

Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI) Malcolm A. Punter, President & CEO

North Selton AME Church, Piscataway, NJ Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Saunders, Pastor

United Fellowship B.C., Asbury Park, NJ Rev. James H. Brown, Sr., Pastor

Christian Love B.C. Irvington, NJ Rev. Brandon Keith Washington, Pastor

Imani Baptist Church, East Orange, NJ Rev.Chuch Chamberlayne, Pastor

Paradise B. C., Newark, NJ Rev. Jethro James, Pastor

Clear View Baptist Church, Newark, NJ Rev. Curtis W. Belle, Jr., Pastor

It Is Well Living Ministries, Clark, NJ Rev. Kahlil Carmichael, Pastor

Community B.C., Englewood, NJ Rev. Dr. Lester Taylor, Pastor

Macedonia Baptist Church, Lakewood, NJ Dr. Edward D. Harper, Pastor

Park Ave Christian Disciples of Christ, East Orange, NJ Rev. Harriet Wallace, Pastor

Charity Baptist Church, Bronx, NY Rev. Reginald Williams, Pastor

Mount Zion Baptist Church, Westwood, NJ Rev. Barry R. Miller, Pastor Mt. Olivet B.C, Newark, NJ Rev. André W. Milteer, Pastor Mt. Zion AME Church, Trenton, NJ Rev. J. Stanley Justice, Pasto Mt. Zion B.C., Westwood, NJ New Hope Baptist Church, Metuchen, NJ Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Owens, Pastorl New Hope Baptist Church of Hackensack, Hackensack, NJ Rev. Kevin Jones, Interim Pastor

Pilgrim B. C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. Glenn Wilson, Pastor

St. James AME Church, Newark, NJ Rev. Ronald L. Slaughter, Pastor St. John’s B.C. Scotch Plains, NJ Rev. Shawn T. Wallace,Senior Pastor St. Paul Baptist, Red Bank, NJ Rev. Alexander Brown, Pastor St. Mark Missionary B.C., Jamaica, NY Rev. Owen E. Williams, Pastor St. Matthew AME Church, Orange, NJ Rev. Dr. Lanel D. Guyton, Pastor St. Paul’s B.C., Montclair, NJ Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover, Pastor

Walker Memorial B.C. Bronx, NY Rev. Dr. J. Albert Bush Sr., Pastor Welcome Baptist Church, Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. Elijah C. Williams, Pastor World Gospel Music Assoc., Newark, NJ Dr. Albert Lewis, Founder

“The Positive Community magazine does outstanding work in promoting the good works of the Black Church. All churches and businesses should subscribe to and advertise in The Positive Community. Please support this magazine, the only one June/July 2018 The Positive Community 7 that features good news about the black community.”—Rev. Buster Soaries, General Baptist Revival, May 20, 2010

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ADRIAN COUNCIL PUBLISHER’S DESK

The African American Cultural Renaissance: Saving Our Own Community

By Adrian A. Council, Sr.

Editor’s Note: The following Op-Ed was originally written and

published in June 1993—25 years ago! This editorial was published in local newspapers: Carib News, City Sun, Daily Challenge and New York Amsterdam News. At the time of this writing, Adrian Council was General Sales Manager at radio station, WLIB 1190 AM. Judge for yourselves: Since 1993, collectively, have we moved forward, stood still, or lost ground?

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s an American parent, I am very concerned about our legacy to the younger generation. But more importantly I am even more saddened by the state of affairs that exist in my (African American) community.

Discussions with many of my contemporaries support this feeling of despair.

There is now an apparent general lack of respect for life and an absolute decline in values. Relationships between males and females are at an all-time low. There is an increase in violent crimes and subsequent massive incarceration of Black men (50% of the U.S. inmate population). African Americans constitute 12% of the general American population. There are more of our men in the court system and in prison than in college. This is unquestionably a suicidal trend for any group.

Of course, arguments can be made to explain this negative trend: lack of opportunity; single parent households; the proliferation of drugs and firearms, and the inequalities in the criminal justice system all account for this feeling of hopelessness in our communities today.

For many years, our people have tried to embrace the American Dream—middle class. But the reality is that vast numbers have not been able to actualize this dream. Hence, many African Americans have been relegated to life cycles of poverty, debt, self-hate and despair. This is clearly reflected in the music culture of today’s youth.

In any society, this is not a unique situation. The difference is that the affluent of that society always find a way to support and sustain their group. In the case of the American scenario, however, many in the African American middle class look toward government to fulfill this obligation. It is only recently that we have begun to realize that this will never, ever happen.

Culture is the Key

Those belonging to the African-American middle/upper www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

class are permanent members of this community and will always be viewed as such. If their underclass is perceived by the world with haughty disdain, it automatically affects every member of our group, irrespective of fame or status.

It should therefore be the primary objective of every single member to see to the positive growth and continuity of our own community.

African-American culture has contributed immensely to American and world popular culture through music, dance, sports, fashion, theater, language, etc. But unfortunately it has never been acclaimed. Our collective contributions have been relegated to the bottom of the cultural ladder or totally obscured by Americans and even the African-American community itself.

The young people seem totally unaware of the tremendous contributions and sacrifices m ade o n t heir b ehalf, hence the degenerate attitudes of today. There is an enormous potential; a reservoir of creativity by this marginalized constituency waiting to be harnessed. While most members of my generation believe this to be true, the question has always remained: how do you affect it? African American culture is the key!

A Brand New Day

A culture organization must be instituted immediately with the membership of every single positive thinking African American, Caribbean American and African living in the USA. This organization must have as its mandate, the coordination, research, and execution of elements of the cultural goals of the community. It must be convened on the highest level in order to arrest the ominous decline.

African-American culture has the wherewithal to address aspects of research, education, economic and community development, value systems, media presentations and international cooperation. The middle-class working in cooperation with the grass roots will actualize these goals and objectives.

Our contribution towards American and world development is crucial. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s included many of these dynamics, thus establishing original American art forms—enduring cultural treasures!

Only through a rediscovery of the African-American group personality—our collective soul—lays the hope and the salvation of future generations. Now is the time! America and the world are waiting on us. Wake up everybody—it’s a brand new day!

June/July 2018 The Positive Community June/July 2018 The Positive Community

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REV. THERESA NANCE MY VIEW

Rev. Nance is pastor of The Church by the Side of the Road in Passaic, NJ. She is also a radio talk show host and documentary filmmaker.

An Ode to Corey’s Dad

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hort. But only in stature, you understand? Actually, his name was Leroy Manns, but Shorty was a handle he could handle and he handled the nickname very well. He didn’t talk much but you could tell he listened attentively, especially when someone talked about his boy, Corey—his joy. Yeah, Corey.

Shorty left here recently. Bound for glory, I say. I called him one of my 11th hour saints. The ones the Bible says gets paid the same amount on the same day regardless of the time they showed up. He showed up at my church several years ago, sitting next to his son, Corey. Corey had been a regular fixture on Sunday mornings.

I wasn’t sure whether or not Shorty would be the same.

I met Shorty years before that Sunday when he appeared at my church.

You see, Corey and my son, Bert, have been friends since they were 10 years Leroy “Shorty” Manns smiles as his son, Corey, adjusts his boutonniere. old or so. Over the years Shorty and I saw one another in passing at various events, but I hadn’t new, as long as the next game was clearly in view.

Shorty played the game of life the same way he played seen him at my church until Corey and his fiancée said “I do” one winter evening in 2011. It would be a little while cards. He played hard and long. The objective? To run a Boston. Before the end of his life, he came to realize serving before Shorty came to my church again, but that was fine.

Timing isn’t always everything, especially if God is the God didn’t cost him, and the dividends were eternal.

At the funeral, I told the saints he had run a Boston betimekeeper. But thankfully, God gave me time to get to know Shorty a little better every Sunday for several years. Leroy cause he won all the books—from Genesis to Revelation, was faithful. He was thoughtful. He was prayerful. He was and it was a life of true dedication.

Since this is the month we honor fathers, I take joy in kind. He had an easy smile to accompany the friendly “Hello” he offered anyone who crossed his path. He was a devot- knowing the farther I went, the closer I got to knowing the ed husband and father, the favorite uncle of many nieces short man with the big heart who sired a tall son with a big and nephews, an avid baseball fan, and his acumen as a card heart, the heart of his father. His heart lives on in his boy, player was noted far and near. Whether we’re talking spades who is now a man. And he’s a good man, in no small part or bid whist, he didn’t fear losing to an opponent old or because of his father, Shorty.

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The The Positive Positive Community Community June/July June/July 2018 2018

www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

“God has been good.” Mount Pisgah has evolved a strong leadership ministry building staff and nourishing spiritual leaders.

These Days At Mount Pisgah Rev. Youngblood Says “Namaste”

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uring his 35 years at St. Paul Community Baptist Church in the East New York section of Brooklyn, Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood built a magnificent multi-dimensional ministry.

These days, the 88-year-old congregation called Mount Pisgah Baptist Church is reaping the benefits of his ministry.

Mount Pisgah was founded as they say “back in the day” by a sister. The Rev. Salina Asa Perry of Abbeville, South Carolina founded this now most pregnant congregation. Discouraged by sexist views held by many in the ministry at that time, she would not be stopped. One man, however, the late Dr. James B. Adams of the Concord Church of Christ, looked beyond her gender and honored her claim to a gospel call.

The church was launched with children in the living room of open-hearted people, and a recorded offering of 13 cents.

Acquiring an existing church facility, Perry sustained Mount Pisgah for 37 years, and grew the congregation to tens of families and friends. Vilified not only because of her gender, but for her lack of academic attainment, Rev. Salina Asa Perry is now the mother beloved to Mt. Pisgah’s exciting, 21st century ministry led by Rev. Youngblood.

Rev. Perry was succeeded by the Rev. George H. Murray, a native Brooklynite who remained for 33 years, moving the congregation to an even larger site. www.thepositivecommunity.com

He initiated a grade school ministry that remained for over 20 years and supported civil rights causes with other clergy of Brooklyn.

At the age of 50 plus years, Youngblood received orders of a lateral promotion and in the words of The Black Church, “God has been good.” Mount Pisgah has evolved a strong leadership ministry building staff and nourishing spiritual leaders.

A strong teaching ministry known as SonRise Academy is forming and promising. The contention is that the historic Sunday School is the weakest organ in the body of the average local church.

Mount Pisgah, as a single congregation, provides a lifesaving church donation to The Progressive National Baptist Convention during the presidency of Dr. James C. Perkins. Mount Pisgah is the lead church with a most relevant social justice ministry, initially called Safe Surrender, now known as Begin Again. Through this effort, burdens of misdemeanors and law infractions are removed from the heads of those victimized by revenue driven legislation.

Recently four District Attorneys of four of the five boroughs of New York City granted exoneration to over 700,000 people with outstanding warrants in the greater metropolitan area.

Mount Pisgah is expanding exponentially and to the benefit of all. Visit us, there’s more… “Welcome to Mount Pisgah, where we say Namaste!” —TPC Staff June/July 2018 The Positive Community

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A.M.E. First Episcopal District Conference

L–R: Kenneth Saunders, Jr., Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Saunders, Sr. and Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram Rev. James H. Cone, deceaced Dr. Cone photo: Coolhappysteve

Photos: Karen Waters

L–R: Rev. JerQuentin Sutton, M. Div., assoc. dir. of Recruitment, New Brunswick Theological Seminary and Rev. Albert Morgan, pastor.

Union Baptist Temple, Bridgeton, NJ

Rev. Ronald Slaughter, senior pastor, Saint James AME Church, Newark, NJ

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, presiding prelate of Sixth Episcopal District

L–R:, City National Bank executives: Chief Credit Officer Willie Blalock and Chairman and CEO Preston D. Pinkett, III

L–R: Rev. Dr. Lanel D. Guyton, pastor, St. Matthew AME; and Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Hooper, pastor, St. Luke AME Church, Newark, NJ

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

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he First Episcopal district of the New Jersey Annual Conference of African Methodist Episcopal Church held their 146th annual conference session the week of April 23-29, 2018, at The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, in Princeton, NJ with the theme, All Things New “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it! I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:19.

Formerly part of the Philadelphia and New York Annual Conferences, the New Jersey Conference was established in 1872 and includes the entire state. There are four districts, each with a presidening elder. CamdenTrenton —Rev. Dr. Robert C. Wade, who was the host; Newark—Rev. Winton M. Hill, III; New Brunswick—Rev. Vernard R. Leak; and Atlantic City—Rev. Dr. Larry E. Dixon. Host pastor was Rev. Dr. Stanley Hearst, Sr. The First Episcopal district headed by Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram encompasses Bermuda, Delaware, New England, New Jersey, New York, Western New York, and Philadelphia with nearly 400 churches.

In the midst of rejoicing in the success of the 146th Session of the New Jersey Annual Conference of The First Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church, conference attendees were shaken by the news of the death of Rev. Dr. James H. Cone on April 28, 2018.

An itinerant AME elder, Dr. Cone was known as the father of black liberation theology. His theological purpose and project were to challenge the theological idolatry of white supremacy while encouraging the Black Church to be “unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian.” His classic works Black Theology and Black Power (1969), a Black Theology of Liberation (1970); and God of the Oppressed (1975) powerfully challenged theological, social, political, and ecclesiastical business as usual.

His latest publication, The Cross and the Lynching Tree, published in 2012, won the distinguished Grawemeyer Award in Religion. His spiritual autobiography, I Said I Wasn’t Going To Tell Nobody, will be released in the fall of this year. — JNW www.thepositivecommunity.com

M Money

buiness, finance + work

Shaq is Back

L–R: Shaquille O'Neal, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, Margaret Anadu, managing director, Goldman Sachs and Wasseem Boraie, VP Boraie Development Photos: Risasi Dais

Leon Ellis Shaq draws a crowd of young fans

NJ Governor Phil Murqhy with Sheila Oliver

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t 7’1” and 375 pounds, Shaquille O’Neal is a big man and he’s making big moves in the city of his birth, Newark, NJ. In April O’Neal presided over the topping off ceremony of One Rector Street in downtown Newark. The NBA Hall of Famer, Newark native, and business mogul was joined by Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Governor Phil Murphy, Acting Deputy Mayor and Director of Economic and Housing Development Carmelo Garcia, Boraie Development, and Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group Managing Director and Urban Investment Group head Margaret Anadu to celebrate the completion of the 23-story structure’s top floor.

The city’s first high-rise in more than 50 years, One Rector Street will offer 169 rental housing units featuring skyline views of New York City and the Passaic River Waterfront Park, as thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

NBA Hall of Famer Builds Tall Buildings in Newark well as ground-floor retail space. Expectations are that the building will be ready to accept tenants at the end of the year with leasing applications available beginning in September.

“I was born and raised here, I love this city,” O’Neal said during a press conference. Recalling a comment his mother made on one occasion when they were visiting relatives there. “‘I remember when this city used to be beautiful,’ she said. ‘Somebody needs to come back and invest in this city and make it beautiful again,’ then she gave me the elbow to the chest like I’m that somebody. So, I found a partner in the Boraie Group, the Kobe Bryant of development,” said O’Neal.

“We are so proud, that even though this is the first high-rise in Newark in 50 years, what it really represents is 50 years of progress, because 50 years ago, someone that looks like me and

Faith & Love Fuel His Vision

my family, the people who work on our project, lenders like Margaret and Sherry, it was a different group of people doing these projects 50 years ago, and that’s progress,” said Wasseem Boraie, vice president of Boraie Development.

Mayor Baraka and Governor Murphy both thanked O’Neal and spoke of Newark’s continuing development.

Before ending his remarks, O’Neal announced another project

By Glenda he and BoraieCadogan are working on—a $150 million, 35-story building of 350 market-rate apartments on McCarter Highway. Then indicated that he, too, would be living in Newark.

“On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, you’ll find me up here, (pointing toward McCarter Highway) and Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’ll be up here, in this area right here,” circling the top of One Rector Street. —JNW

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Celebrates 100th Anniversary

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ince the company’s inception in 1918, Panasonic's mission has remained constant over the last 100 years and continues to be at the center of the company's technological innovation. From the very first microwave oven to its energy efficient Smart City developments in Denver, Panasonic has proven its dedication to improving people’s lives over the last century.

In 2013, Panasonic moved its North American headquarters from Secaucus to Two Riverfront Plaza in Newark, NJ. The awardwinning office tower is home to over 700 employees, but Panasonic’s commitment to Newark represents much more than just

a building. Panasonic employees are active corporate citizens who engage in the community by donating back-to-school supplies for local school children, participating in urban gardening and community clean ups; spending time at the local soup kitchen, and creating opportunities for the next generation of innovators through the company’s Community Relations and Outreach Programs department signature programs: Panasonic Kid Witness News (video education), The Creative Design Challenge (robotics competition), and the Panasonic Student Eco Citizenship Project (environmental program).

Just as Konosuke Matsushita opened an Employee Training Institute in 1934, today Panasonic places an emphasis on fostering the next generation of its workforce. The company provides high school and college students with the chance to gain real-world experience through their internship program. Working alongside professionals in departments such as communications, information technology, human resources and engineering, interns gain skills that will benefit them throughout their future career endeavors. Many of the students come from a variety of local schools including Rutgers University, NJIT, Essex County College, and Essex County Technical High School.

Looking Ahead Panasonic products cater to numerous industries such as government and public safety, immersive entertainment, industrial supply-chain, and sustainable energy. The age of disruptive technology is upon us, with Panasonic on the front lines of this breakthrough, the company is an active industry leader in ten disruptive technologies, including AI and robotics, adding more comfort and convenience to our daily lives. Using intelligent logistics and integrated workflow, Panasonic has streamlined its supply chain technologies. Even after 100 years, Panasonic continues to remain on the brink of innovation and expertise, while keeping the values of Konosuke Matsushita at the core of its business.

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

www.thepositivecommunity.com

Welcome to our next 100 years of innovation

We believe in the power of technology to move us all forward.

At Panasonic, we anticipate the future, innovate continuously and integrate disruptive technologies into breakthrough solutions for our customers. We deliver immersive entertainment, sustainable energy, integrated supply chain and connected world solutions that empower greener, safer, more connected communities. Our goal? Create technologies that move us toward a better life, and a better world.

Learn more at Panasonic.com

CORP17614AD_NewarkPostiveCommunityAd_100th Anniversary_R1.indd 1

6/11/18 4:40 PM

L–R: Wells Fargo Northern NJ's Region Bank executives: Tomas Porturas, VP Community Development; Greg White, president; Denise McGregor Armbrister, Exe. Dir., Wells Fargo Regional Foundation; Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Newark, NJ; Mildred Crump, president, Newark City Council; Rhonda Lewis, Exe. Dir., Greater Newark LISC; Vivian Cox Fraser, president and CEO, Urban League of Essex County; Sherkera Green, Wells Fargo Regional Banking district manager; Dorian Johnson, president, Fairmount Heights Neighborhood Association; Trevor Cummings, master gardener; Dr. Charles Payne, Exe. Dir., Cornwall Center, Rutgers University.

L–R: Greg White, president Wells Fargo Northern NJ Region Bank; Mildred Crump, president, Newark City Council; and Sherkera Green, Regional Banking District Manager, Wells Fargo Vivian Cox Fraser, president, Urban League of Essex County

Essex County Urban League Recieves $825k Photos: Raymond Hagans

Wells Fargo Supports Neighborhood Improvement

L–R: Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark Nancy Cantor with members of the Thirteenth Avenue Parent Academy: Rafiqa Ahmed, Michelle Bracero, Shatesha Cooper, Joshcelynne Henderson, O’Donna Fraser, Monique Counts, Melinda Diggs (bending).

I

n collaboration with several local organizations and a grant from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, the Urban League of Essex County is working to build a strong neighborhood by increasing resident engagement, investing in public safety, transforming public spaces, and implementing additional revitalization activities.

On hand to announce the five-year $825,000 grant at the Urban League Community Garden were: Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Urban League President and CEO Vivian Cox Fraser, Wells Fargo Regional Foundation Executive Director Denise McGregor Armbrister, and Fairmount Heights Neighborhood Association President Dorian Johnson.

Also present were representatives from the collaborating organizations: Local Initiative Support Coalition (LISC), Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies/Rutgers University, and the Fairmount Heights Neighborhood Association.

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

Children in garden

“The Wells Fargo Regional Foundation shares our vision of creating an academic and social foundation to further nurture our community” said Vivian Cox Fraser, president and CEO, Urban League of Essex County.

“This grant will help our collaborative build a strong neighborhood by increasing resident engagement, investing in public safety, transforming public spaces, and implementing additional revitalization activities in the Fairmont area.”

An affiliate of the National Urban League,the Urban League of Essex County was founded in 1917 by William Ashby, the first black social worker in New Jersey.

Established in 1998, the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation is a private foundation focused on neighborhood revitalization initiatives in New Jersey, Delaware, and Eastern Pennsylvania. — TPC Staff www.thepositivecommunity.com

Annual Senior’s Empowerment Day At New Mt. Zion B.C.

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he Nurses and Willing Workers Ministry of New Mt. Zion Baptist Church held its annual Senior Empowerment Day and Luncheon on May 18, 2018.

L–R: Ronald Supplice, Emblem Health; Ernestine Bell-Temple; Charles Shorter, executive director of the Ryan/Frederick Douglass and Ryan/Adair Centers; and Debbi Brown, senior advocate at New Mt. Zion B.C.

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A reduced cost BCB Community Bank provide: cost BCB Community Bank loanloan will will provide: 97% financing a single or to up95% to 95% financing › ›UpUp to to 97% financing forfor a single unit,unit, or up financing for afor twoa two * * family unit to moderate census tracts family unit in in lowlow to moderate census tracts › ›Expanded qualifying ratios Expanded qualifying ratios › ›BCB willwill also waive titletitle review andand application feesfees (up to(up $850 in savings) BCB also waive review application to $850 in savings) To To seesee if you qualify for for thethe BCBBCB Dream LoanLoan Initiative, call call our lending if you qualify Dream Initiative, our lending professionals at at 1-888-464-7234.

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Qualified applicants are requiredAvailable to attendoncomprehensive homeownership education. Private Mortgage Insurance required. purchase and no-cash out refinances.

AvailableononFederal purchase and no-cash out Examination refinances. Council. www.ffiec.gov *Low/moderate census tracts as identified Financial Institutions *Low/moderate census tracts as identified on Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. www.ffiec.gov www.thepositivecommunity.com

June/July 2018 The Positive Community

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L–R: Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill, NJ Education Commissioner Dr. Lamont Repollet, and NJ State Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

DiVincenzo Dedicates Technology School New Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School Of Technology

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Photos: Courtesy of Essex County

he dedication of The Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology on Monday, June 4th signaled the opportunity for students to “receive a first-class education and foundation that will benefit them the rest of their lives,” said Essex County Executive Joseph DeVincenzo Jr. The new school campus is located at the intersection of West Market Street and Ninth Avenue in the West Ward of Newark. The three-story building has traditional classrooms for core curriculum subjects such as history, English, mathematics, and science as well as specially designed spaces for career training classes including culinary arts, carpentry, plumbing and electrical systems, and cosmetology as well as emerging professions such as green energy and agricultural science,

engineering, information technology, television and radio, cyber security, graphic design, and public safety.

For example, the building trades share a two-story, common learning area. “The fact that our school district has received four National Blue Ribbon Awards in the last six years demonstrates the high level of achievement by our students and the ongoing commitment to excellence by our teachers and staff. Their achievements are even more impressive because the classrooms where our students were preparing for the future were developed in the past, and it has been difficult adapting our changing curriculum to our antiquated buildings,” DiVincenzo said.

“After talking about the need for a modern building for over 40 years,

we are proud to stand here in this state-of-the-art facility,” he added.

“My father was a teacher first, and education meant everything to him.

There is no more fitting honor to keep his legacy alive,” Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. said. “It's nice to name the building after someone, but what is important is what will be happening in these classrooms and the education the students receive.”

“It was a no-brainer to name the school after the late Congressman Donald M. Payne, Sr.,” DiVincenzo said. “He was a tireless advocate for Essex County and New Jersey, and providing a solid future for our children was always important to him. There is no better way to keep his legacy alive than naming this campus for him.” —TPC Staff

L–R: Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. (center) dedicated the Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology on Monday, June 4th.

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon with the County Executive are (from left) Essex County Schools of Technology Board of Trustees President Father Edwin Leahy; NJ Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney; Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.; Former NJ Governor Chris Christie; Rev. Mamie Lee; Essex County Deputy Chief of Staff William D. Payne; Senator Robert Menendez; and NJ Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

www.thepositivecommunity.com

National Park and Recreation Month is the perfect opportunity to highlight the beauty of our open spaces, the importance of recreation facilities and the positive impact they have on our wellness and quality of life. The area overlooking the Orange Reservoir provides a beautiful and unique spot to host a diverse lineup of activities to exercise, entertain and inspire you.

We invite the public to celebrate with us and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.”

Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County Executive and the Board of Chosen Freeholders Invite You to

Free Events!

Wellness on the Waterfront Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Clipper Pavilion, Cherry Lane Essex County celebrates Parks and Recreation Month with free weekly activities at the Waterfront in South Mountain Reservation.

Mondays

YOGA for Adults; July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 6:30pm – 7:45pm

These classes are suitable for both beginners and seasoned yoga practitioners.

Bring a yoga mat and dress comfortably. Classes held rain or shine.

Tuesdays s

Jammin’ in July; July 3, 10, 17 & 31 at 7pm

Elevate your Waterfront experience with music. The schedule is as follows: July 3: Newark Arts High School Latin Band July 10: Maplewood Concert Band with Master Chief Musician Jonathan Towne of the U.S. Coast Guard Band July 17: Chatham Community Band July 31: Kamate Traders

Wednesdays

ZOO-VIES; July 11, 18 & 25 *films begin at dusk

Movies under the stars on the rooftop of our Turtle Back Zoo parking deck. Bring your own lawn chair. Refreshments for sale. Rain cancels. The location is at TBZ not the Clipper Pavilion.

July 11: Peter Rabbit July 18: Wall-E July 25: Deep

Thursdays Arts @ the Clipper Pavilion; July 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 6:00pm – 7:15pm Come Get Crafty with the Essex County Environmental Center Staff

For more information, please call 973-508-2912 or visit www.essexcountynj.org Sponsored by the Essex County Parks Foundation and the Zoological Society of New Jersey

Brooklyn Community Center

Andre Mitchell, executive director Man Up

Named in Honor of Prince Joshua Avitto In prayer

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he ribbon cutting ceremony at 876 Schenck Avenue, Brooklyn on Thursday, May 17, 2018 celebrated the life of Prince Joshua Avitto, naming the new state-of-the-art, 19,500 square foot community center in his honor.

The Prince Joshua Avitto Community Center will serve over 1,000 youth and families annually. Prince Joseph Avitto was just six years old when he was slain in 2014 in the elevator at Boulevard Houses in East New York. The center is located directly across the street from where he lived.

The Community Center was initially conceived around 2010 by then City Councilmember Charles Barron, who made the initial multi-million dollar allocation to bring it to fruition. Following the tragic death of Prince Joshua Avitto, City Councilmember Inez Barron and Mayor Bill de Blasio committed to making the center a reality. The developer, Kretchmer Companies, was tapped to include the Community Center in the building of the Stanley Commons affordable housing development located on underutilized formerly NYCHA property.

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

PJACC will be operated through a partnership between community organizations Man Up!, Inc. led

by Executive Director Andre T. Mitchell, and Good Shepherd Services led by Executive Director Sister Paulette LoMonaco. The center offers numerous services that are vital to the community, including job training and development, recreation for youth, social services, and much more. Some additional features include a recording studio, a college regulated size multi-use gymnasium, a dance studio, an arts and crafts room, a mobile stage for artistic productions, an outdoor play area for young children, and space for community meetings and events.

An approximately $8.5 million dollar state-of-the-art multi-purpose project, the center serves as a vital focal hub where youth are in a supervised, constructive, creative environment, which helps them develop strong positive character traits and job skills. The Barrons, Councilmember Inez and Assemblymember Charles, believe building versatile community centers like PJACC is an investment in our children and our communities that will bring long term results. It is truly a beacon. —TPC Staff www.thepositivecommunity.com

Photos: Lem Peterkin

Ribbon cutting

Bronx NCNW Honors Women of Distinction L–R: Rev. Dr. Joe A. Bush Sr., pastor, Walker Memorial Baptist Church; Patricia Kerr, North Bronx, NCNW; Maria Solorza, Primera Iglesia Pentecostal Jerome; Rev. Pierre-Andre H. Duvert, rector, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church; and Father David Steele, assistant priest, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Photos: Bruce Moore

L–R: Dr. Johnnie R. Goff, Nathalia Fernadez, Cheryl Forbes, Donna Drayton, Patricia Kerr, Dr. Christine Greenidge, Janice Martin, and Justice Tanya Kennedy

T

he North Bronx Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. hosted their annual Women of Distinction awards luncheon on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Course, in the Bronx.

Six outstanding women, each a pillar of the community who fit the moniker “Woman of Distinction,” deservedly received awards. They are: Honorable Tanya R. Kennedy, New York State Supreme Court Judge (Distinguished Service Award); Cheryl L. Forbes, educational director at Doris E. Stone Early Learning Center (Excellence In Education Award); Dr. Christine Greenidge, associate executive director/deputy director of Nursing and Patient Care Services at New York City Health Hospitals/Metropolitan (Community Service Award); Nathalia Fernandez, former Bronx Regional representative for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (Political Service Award); Janice C. Martin, branch manager at Ridgewood Savings Bank (Business Service Award); Dr. Johnnie Goff, CEO JADE Multi-Family Circle Center, Inc. (President’s Appreciation Award).

www.thepositivecommunity.com

The National Council of Negro Women is a coalition comprised of 200 community-based sections in 32 states and 38 national organizational affiliates that works to enlighten and inspire more than 3,000,000 women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families and communities. NCNW was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, influential educator and activist. For more than fifty years, the iconic Dr. Dorothy Height was president of NCNW. Ms. Ingrid Saunders Jones was elected Chair of NC NW in 2012, ushering in a new era of progress and growth for the organization.

Today, NCNW’s programs are grounded on a foundation of critical concerns known as “Four for the Future.” NCNW promotes education with a special focus on science, technology, engineering, and math; encourages entrepreneurship, financial literacy and economic stability; educates women about good health and HIV/AIDS; promotes civic engagement; and advocates for sound public policy consistent with traditional values. — JNW June/July 2018 The Positive Community

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Newark's POWERful Progression BY: AISHA GLOVER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, NEWARK COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Aisha Glover

Dee Marshall, keynote speaker

Mayor Ras Baraka with Michellene Davis

H

istorically, women have been at the forefront of every movement in history—even the ones they try to hide from us. Women have always been there. The economic resurgence or “renaissance” happening in Newark is no different. I am clear on the disparities women face in the workplace, in business, and in life overall. Yet, we persevere consistently. Even as I type, there’s another hashtag being created to give women a voice. For far too long we’ve been silenced. I want to ensure that our programs at Newark Community Economic Development Corporation inspire women to be the change, to realize their power.

As women in business, sisters in business, we have to do more than “boss up.” We have to reach back, grab our fellow sister, and offer guidance, education, mentorship, and connection so that can continue to thrive in this growing economy. Women are the fastest growing business-owners nationwide and in Newark, at least 20% of our local businesses are woman-owned and operated.

As the City of Newark itself undergoes a renaissance, it’s critical that we are a part of that, that we harness the

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

momentum and take a seat at the proverbial table. As such, last month, Newark CEDC produced its inaugural women’s entrepreneurship summit entitled: P.O.W.E.R (Progression of Women in the Economic Resurgence).

While we typically are flooded with women’s programs during Women’s History Month, we must step beyond the month of March to recognize every month is Women’s Month. As women, we nurture more than each other...we nurture innovation and ideas. In my work as the president & CEO of Newark Community Economic Development Corporation, I see our contribution to this community through countless businesses, social movements, and organizations. The event we held offered a vendor marketplace of women entrepreneurs, pitch competition offering over $7500 in prizes, a keynote address by the inimitable Dee Marshall, workshops, and a networking reception; it was a perfect recipe for how to navigate this economic landscape and access the knowledge to grow, scale, or pivot your business in the direction it needs.

I’m as excited about Newark’s future as I am to see how this P.O.W.E.R. movement progresses. www.thepositivecommunity.com

General Baptist Convention of New Jersey

D

r. Lester W. Taylor, convention president, invited the General Baptist family and all guest churches to join the General Baptist Convention (GBC) at this year’s Worker’s Conference.

The 2018 Leadership and Ministry Conference took place Friday and Saturday, April 20-21, 2018, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield, NJ, sponsored by United Healthcare and utililizing the theme “Learning in the Transition Zone.” Discussion focused on contemporary issues impacting ministries across the board.

L–R: Rev. Dr. Evans L. Spagner, St. John’s B.C., Scotch Plains, NJ; Rev. Shawn T. Wallace, Sr.; and Rev. Dr. Lester Taylor

Photos: Karen Waters

L–R: Rev. Dr. Lester Taylor, Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Owens, and Rev. Jerry Michael Sanders L–R: Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover, guest, Rev. Dr. Lester Taylor, and Rev. Dollie Hamlin

United Healthcare Representatives share information www.thepositivecommunity.com

Deacon Vincent Bryant (at the podium) who is also a TPC photographer June/July 2018 The Positive Community

23

Health ideas for wellness

Michellene Davis, Esq., executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer for RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) Photos: Karen Waters and Vincent Bryant

Jamila Bembry sings Negro National Anthem

Public Lecture Series Closes with Michellene Davis, Esq.

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ichellene Davis, Esq. presented an impassioned discourse on Health, Spirituality, and Social Impact on May 20, 2018 for the closing event of the Public Lecture Series at Newark Public Library. Davis, EVP and chief Corporate Affairs officer for RWJBarnabas Health, discussed the role of spirituality in navigating changes in healthcare and seeking social impact solutions for vulnerable families.

Presented by The Positive Community and The Newark School of Theology (NST), the Public Lecture Series

Marcia Wilson Brown, vice chancellor for External and Governmental Relations, Rutgers Newark and board co-chair, NST

addresses the spiritual and cultural crisis in modern society. The series kicked-off with dynamic lectures

by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka in February followed

by Dr. David Jefferson, Sr., pastor of Metropolitan BC, Newark in April.

Special thanks to our community partners: Verizon, RWJ Barnabas Health, United Healthcare, Newark Clergy Alliance, Ray Catena Motor Cars, and the New Jersey chapter of National Association of Healthcare Executives (NAHSE).

View Michellene Davis’ presentation online at www.thepositivecommunity.com

Michellene with her mother, Ruby Davis

“The Fitness Doctor” Rev. Kahlil Carmichael, and Tai Cooper

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

L–R: Tai Cooper; Dr. Douglas Bendall, president, NST; Hon. Mildred Crump, president Newark Municipal Council; (center) Michellene Davis, Esq.; Rev. Louise Rountree; Rev. Mamie Bridgeforth; Prof. Louise Layton; Rev. Dr. Miguel Hernandez, and Kaylyn Kendall Dines www.thepositivecommunity.com

Innovative valve replacement surgery.

Because you can’t be replaced.

As New Jersey’s most extensive heart care network, RWJBarnabas Health performs more Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVR) than any health care system in the state—and our outcomes far exceed national benchmarks in safety, life expectancy, and risks of complications, too.

Available at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, patients usually go home only a few days after the procedure. For more information and to make an appointment with one of New Jersey’s top cardiologists, visit rwjbh.org/tavr

51866 NBI Positive Community TAVR AA Couple_m1.indd 1

5/22/18 10:17 AM

KAHLIL KAHLIL CARMICHAEL CARMICHAEL THE THE FITNESS FITNESS DOCTOR DOCTOR Kahlil Carmichael MAPCC, MDIV, CPT is the pastor of Live Well Church, in Somerset, New Jersey.

Kahlil Carmichael MAPCC, MDIV, CPT is the pastor of Live Well Church, in Somerset, New Jersey.

HeHe is is aa fitness fitnessspecialist specialistatatThe TheFitness FitnessDoctor, Doctor,aafitness fitnessand andwellness wellness consulting consulting company; company; and and the the author of 50 Tips for a Better You. He is a contributor to Guideposts magazine.

His first publication, author of 50 Tips for a Better You. He is a contributor to Guideposts magazine. His first publication, Living Longer Living LongerLiving LivingBetter, Better,isisavailable availablenow. now.Go Gototowww.livewellchurch.org www.livewellchurch.org for for more more information. information.

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• A fitness coach can help you overcome poor eating exercise instruction designed to help you get heathier.

• A fitness coach can help you overcome poor eating exercise instruction designed to help you get heathier. habits and teach you to eat healthier and lose weight If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, habits and teach you to eat healthier and lose weight If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, without dieting. andother otherobesity obesityrelated relatedillnesses, illnesses, this this isis for for you. you. without dieting. and • fitness A fitness coach can keep youaccountable. accountable.An Anaccountaccount- Workout: Workout:5:30pm–7:15pm/Bible 5:30pm–7:15pm/Bible Study Study 7:15pm–8:15pm 7:15pm–8:15pm • A coach can keep you ability partner on your physical fitness and health journey ability partner on your physical fitness and health journey helps keep track.Many Manyofofmy myclients clientstell tellme methey they Location: Location:Live LiveWell WellChurch/The Church/The Fitness Fitness Doctor, Doctor, helps keep usus onon track. had to eat healthier because they could not bear facing 2 John F. Kennedy BLVD, Somerset, New Jersey 08873 had to eat healthier because they could not bear facing 2 John F. Kennedy BLVD, Somerset, New Jersey 08873 me and giving a bad report as it pertains to their eating. me and giving a bad report as it pertains to their eating.

Exercise Consistently, Eat Healthier, Live Well.

Exercise Consistently, Eat Healthier, Live Well.

• A fitness coach provides leadership in fitness health • A fitness coach provides leadership in fitness health and wellness. Good leadership is vital to success in any and wellness. Good leadership is vital to success in any area of life, including physical fitness and health. Leadarea of life, including physical fitness and health. LeadDisclaimer: The information contained in this column ership is defined as the action of leading a group of peoDisclaimer: The information contained in this column ership is defined as the action of leading a group of peois of a general nature. You should consult your physician ple or an organization. A fitness coach can lead or guide is of a general nature. You should consult your physician ple or an organization. A fitness coach can lead or guide or health care professional before beginning any exercise someone on the correct path to physical fitness and good orprogram health care professional before beginning any exercise someone on the correct path to physical fitness and good or changing your dietary regimen. health. program or changing your dietary regimen. health.

26 The The Positive Positive Community Community June/July June/July 2018 2018 26 26 The Positive Community June/July 2018

www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

East Brooklyn Congregations & Metro I.A.F. Leaders Celebrate Victory L–R: Rev. David K. Brawley, Rev. Adolphus C. Lacey, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio

$500 Million for Affordable Senior Housing $2.2 billion for Public Housing Repairs

“L

ast October, 6,000 of us were here in the pouring rain fighting for the soul of our city. Today, the sun is shining,” said Rev. David K. Brawley yesterday on the steps of City Hall.

In front of hundreds of East Brooklyn Congregations & Metro I.A.F. leaders on June 13th, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Corey Johnson, and 10 members of the City Council made a public commitment to invest $500 million in new, affordable, senior housing on city-owned lots.

This victory follows the historic $2.2 billion settlement agreement between Mayor de Blasio and US Attorney

Geoffrey Berman to begin making unprecedented repairs in public housing. East Brooklyn Congregations and Metro I.A.F. met with then-US Attorney Preet Bharara in April of 2015 and urged him to open an investigation into widespread abuse by public housing managers and officials.

Teams of leaders, particularly from Manhattan Together and South Bronx Churches, have spent the last three years meeting with the US Attorney; taking his staff on tours; introducing them to tenants; and providing documentation of fraud, corruption, and all-around immorality.

Photos: Gary M. King

www.thepositivecommunity.com

June/July 2018 The Positive Community

27

Fighting Moments

By Glenda Cadogan

!

Photos: Regina Fleming

www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

June/July 2018 2018 The The Positive Positive Community Community June/July

29 29

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hroughout the 56 years of his life, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has repeatedly experithe56 56years yearsofofhis hislife, life,Brooklyn Brooklyn Borough Borough President President Eric Eric Adams Adams has has repeatedly repeatedly experihroughout hroughoutthe enced what he calls “fighting moments.” The most instructive of these was growing up in Queens, NY encedwhat whathe hecalls calls“fighting “fightingmoments.” moments.”The Themost mostinstructive instructiveof of these these was was growing growing up up in in Queens, Queens, NY enced with a mother who cleaned offices and homes in her passionate bid to provide for her six children. withaamother motherwho whocleaned cleanedoffices officesand andhomes homesin inher her passionate passionate bid bid to to provide provide for for her her six six children. with “There were many times we almost lost our home because the mortgage payments could not be “There “Therewere weremany manytimes times we we almost almost lost lost our our home home because because the the mortgage mortgage payments payments could could not be made,” Adams recalls. “It was a challenging period in my life, but what it taught me is never let anymade,” made,”Adams Adamsrecalls. recalls.“It “Itwas wasaachallenging challengingperiod periodin in my my life, life, but but what what itit taught taught me me isis never never let anything that is not human defeat you.” thing thingthat thatisisnot nothuman humandefeat defeatyou.” you.”

With 22 years as a New York City police officer rising from beat cop to captain, Adams again had many “fighting moments” With2222years yearsasasa aNew With NewYork YorkCity Citypolice policeofficer officerrising risingfrom frombeat beat cop cop toto captain, captain, Adams Adams again again had had many many “fighting “fighting moments” making life-and-death decisions on any given day. During seven years as a New York State Senator representing the 20ththth District in making makinglife-and-death life-and-deathdecisions decisionson onany anygiven givenday. day.During Duringseven sevenyears yearsas asaaNew NewYork York State State Senator Senator representing representing the the 20 20 District in Brooklyn, there were many “fighting moments” of a different nature as Adams defended students’ rights, women’s rights and animal animal Brooklyn,there therewere weremany many“fighting “fightingmoments” moments”ofofaadifferent differentnature natureas asAdams Adamsdefended defendedstudents’ students’rights, rights, women’s women’s rights rights and Brooklyn, rights ononthe the Senate floor.

Two years ago when diabetes reared its hideous head in his life, was the accumulative resilience from all all theSenate Senatefloor. floor.Two Twoyears yearsago agowhen whendiabetes diabetesreared rearedits itshideous hideoushead headin inhis hislife, life,itititwas was the the accumulative accumulative resilience resilience from rights rightson these “fighting moments” that packed the transformative power totonot not only change his health trajectory, but his life. these“fighting “fightingmoments” moments”that thatpacked packedthe thetransformative transformativepower powerto notonly onlychange changehis hishealth health trajectory, trajectory, but but his his life. life. these

The first African American totohold hold this position, Adams Thefirst firstAfrican AfricanAmerican Americanto holdthis thisposition, position,Adams Adams The became the highest-ranking elected official in America’s becamethe thehighest-ranking highest-rankingelected electedofficial officialinin America’s America’s became third largest city inin2013 2013 and took over Borough Hall with third thirdlargest largestcity cityin 2013and andtook tookover overBorough BoroughHall Hallwith with a big game mentality.

He worked assiduously to make the biggame gamementality. mentality.He Heworked workedassiduously assiduouslytotomake makethe the a abig popularity of Brooklyn’s brand translate into prosperity for popularityofofBrooklyn’s Brooklyn’sbrand brandtranslate translateinto intoprosperity prosperityfor for popularity itsitsresidents. residents.

He gave unprecedented access to Brooklyn residents.He Hegave gaveunprecedented unprecedentedaccess accessto toBrooklyn Brooklyn its Borough Hall, allowing thousands ofofpeople people to connect for BoroughHall, Hall,allowing allowingthousands thousandsof peopleto toconnect connectfor for Borough the first time with government and civic life.

In January of thefirst firsttime timewith withgovernment governmentand andcivic civiclife. life.In InJanuary Januaryof of the 2016, three years into the job and atatthe the top of his game, 2016,three threeyears yearsinto intothe thejob joband andat thetop topof ofhis hisgame, game, 2016, came the Type diabetes diagnosis following colonoscocamethe theType Type222diabetes diabetesdiagnosis diagnosisfollowing followingaaacolonoscocolonoscocame pypyto totoexamine examine severe stomach pains.

The test revealed examinesevere severestomach stomachpains. pains.The Thetest testrevealed revealed aaa py small ulcer but worse yet, ushered the discovery of hemosmallulcer ulcerbut butworse worseyet, yet,ushered usheredthe thediscovery discoveryof ofaaahemohemosmall globin A1C level ofof17 17 percent—almost three times norglobinA1C A1Clevel levelof 17percent—almost percent—almostthree threetimes times nornorglobin mal.

His health profile was Freddy Krueger type scary.

“Not mal.His Hishealth healthprofile profilewas wasFreddy FreddyKrueger Kruegertype typescary. scary.“Not “Not mal. only was my sugar high but my cholesterol level was 200, onlywas wasmy mysugar sugarhigh highbut butmy mycholesterol cholesterollevel levelwas was200, 200, only my blood pressure had skyrocketed and was overweight. myblood bloodpressure pressurehad hadskyrocketed skyrocketedand andIIIwas wasoverweight. overweight. my lost sight ininmy my left eye, had what they say isispermanent permanent lostsight sightin myleft lefteye, eye,II Ihad hadwhat whatthey theysay sayis permanent II Ilost nerve damage ininmy my hands and feet and my right thigh was nervedamage damagein myhands handsand andfeet feetand andmy myright rightthigh thighwas was nerve numb.”

InInshort, short, Adams’ body and ultimately his life, were numb.”In short,Adams’ Adams’body bodyand andultimately ultimatelyhis hislife, life,were were numb.” serioustrouble. trouble. ininserious Refusingtotodo dowhat whatsome somerefer refertotoasasthe the“big “bigpharma” pharma” Refusing pathofofprescription prescriptionmedicine medicineand andinsulin insulininjections, injections, AdAdpath amstook tookhis hishealth healthmatters mattersinto intohis hisown ownhands handsand andbegan began ams aggressivelyresearching researchingdiabetes—a diabetes—a disease disease atat epidemic epidemic aggressively proportionsininAmerica.

America.This Thisled ledhim him toto an an Ohio-based Ohio-based proportions doctorand andbybyfollowing followingaadrastically drasticallydifferent differentdiet dietpath pathand and doctor lifestylechanges, changes,Adams Adamscompletely completely reversed reversed diabetes diabetes in in lifestyle threemonths monthsand andhis hishealth healthnumbers numbersnow nowread readlike likethey they three didwhen whenhe hewas wasaa20-year-old 20-year-oldrookie rookiecop. cop.“The “Thenerve nervedamdamdid ageand andulcer ulcerwere weregone, gone,my mycholesterol cholesterollevel levelwent wentdown downto to age 57,I Ilost lost3535pounds poundswithout withouteffort effortand andmost mostofofall allmy myA1C A1C 57, wasdown downtotoa anormal normal5.7,” 5.7,”he heexplained. explained. was Theexperience experiencewas wasan aneye eyeopener. opener.Though Thougheveryone everyonein in The hisfamily, family,including includinghis his80-year-old 80-year-oldmother, mother,was waseither eitherdiadiahis

30The The PositiveCommunity Community June/July2018 2018 30 30 ThePositive Positive Community June/July June/July 2018

betic or pre-diabetic, he discovered that genetic disposition beticor orpre-diabetic, pre-diabetic,he he discovered discovered that that genetic genetic disposition betic was not the issue.

“It is not our DNA, but our dinner that is is wasnot notthe theissue. issue.“It “It isis not not our our DNA, DNA, but but our our dinner dinner that was the issue, “he said.

“The common denominator here is that theissue, issue,“he “hesaid. said.“The “The common common denominator denominator here is that the as family we shared the same food.

Therefore to break break as aaa family family we we shared shared the the same same food. food. Therefore Therefore to as free is to change what we eat.”

In doing so Adams’ food free isis to to change change what what we we eat.” eat.” In In doing doing so so Adams’ Adams’ food free evolution was drastic: he completely eliminated sugar, salt evolution was was drastic: drastic: he he completely completely eliminated eliminated sugar, salt evolution and fat and chose a plant-based diet. andfat fatand andchose choseaa plant-based plant-based diet. diet. and Adams says his biggest take-away from his journey to to Adams says says his his biggest biggest take-away take-away from from his his journey Adams health isisthat that everyone needs health team.

“And your docdochealthis thateveryone everyoneneeds needs aaa health health team. team. “And “And your health tor isis only only part of that team.

We can no longer surrender tor is only part part of of that that team. team. We We can can no no longer longer surrender tor our health to any one person,” he declared.

“Instead, we our health health to to any any one one person,” person,” he he declared. declared. “Instead, our “Instead, we have to be involved in making our own health decisions. have to to be be involved involved in in making making our our own have own health health decisions.

The information isisout out there—I found it—so we can no no lonlonTheinformation informationis outthere—I there—I found found it—so The it—so we we can

www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

ger allow our medical advisor to make the decisions for us. ger gerallow allowour ourmedical medicaladvisor advisortotomake makethe thedecisions decisionsfor forus. us.

The sad reality is that medical schools do not teach disease The Thesad sadreality realityisisthat thatmedical medicalschools schoolsdo donot notteach teachdisease disease reversal; they teach how to live with disease. And that is so reversal; reversal;they theyteach teachhow howtotolive livewith withdisease. disease.And Andthat thatisissoso old school.” old oldschool.” school.”

His recommendation is that we cut the salt, sugar and His Hisrecommendation recommendationisisthat thatwe wecut cutthe thesalt, salt,sugar sugarand and fat, claiming them to be as addictive as hard drugs. “The fat, fat,claiming claimingthem themtotobe beasasaddictive addictiveasashard harddrugs. drugs.“The “The hardest part of this journey was the recovery,” he revealed. hardest hardestpart partofofthis thisjourney journeywas wasthe therecovery,” recovery,”he herevealed. revealed.

“The first two weeks when my body went into withdrawal, I “The “Thefirst firsttwo twoweeks weekswhen whenmy mybody bodywent wentinto intowithdrawal, withdrawal,I I was no different from any other addict. A drug is described was wasno nodifferent differentfrom fromany anyother otheraddict. addict.AAdrug drugisisdescribed described as something that is harmful but yet you cannot stop taking asassomething somethingthat thatisisharmful harmfulbut butyet yetyou youcannot cannotstop stoptaking taking it. If that does not describe fried chicken and chitlins then it.it.IfIfthat thatdoes doesnot notdescribe describefried friedchicken chickenand andchitlins chitlinsthen then don’t know what does.”

II Idon’t don’tknow knowwhat whatdoes.” does.”

Currently the BP (Borough President) cooks about 98 Currently Currentlythe theBP BP(Borough (BoroughPresident) President)cooks cooksabout about98 98 percent of the food he consumes and has become a culipercent percentofofthe thefood foodhe heconsumes consumesand andhas hasbecome becomeaaculiculinary expert experimenting with Caribbean, East Indian nary naryexpert expertexperimenting experimenting with with Caribbean, Caribbean, East East Indian Indian and Asian spices.

“I have never had a more vibrant variety ofof and andAsian Asianspices. spices.“I“Ihave havenever neverhad hadaamore morevibrant vibrantvariety varietyof food in my life.

I have learned how to make my own cheese food foodininmy mylife. life.I Ihave havelearned learnedhow howtotomake makemy myown owncheese cheese and patties, and bread from hemp, flax, and chia seeds.

Evand andpatties, patties,and andbread breadfrom fromhemp, hemp,flax, flax,and andchia chiaseeds. seeds.EvEvery morning I have a bowl of fruit and a green juice and ery erymorning morningI Ihave haveaabowl bowlofoffruit fruitand andaagreen greenjuice juiceand and otherwise eat lots ofofvegetables, vegetables, beans, leafy greens, mushotherwise otherwiseeat eatlots lotsof vegetables,beans, beans,leafy leafygreens, greens,mushmushrooms, yams, and potatoes.” rooms, rooms,yams, yams,and andpotatoes.” potatoes.”

Since his health turnaround, Adams’ Borough Hall ofSince Sincehis hishealth healthturnaround, turnaround,Adams’ Adams’Borough BoroughHall Hallofoffice looks like a mini gourmet restaurant where healthy fice ficelooks lookslike likeaamini minigourmet gourmetrestaurant restaurantwhere wherehealthy healthy meals are prepared atatthe the micro level.

At the macro levmeals mealsare areprepared preparedat themicro microlevel. level.At Atthe themacro macrolevlevel, he has introduced some healthy options in the office’s el,el,he hehas hasintroduced introducedsome somehealthy healthyoptions optionsininthe theoffice’s office’s vending machine and atatevents. events. vending vendingmachine machineand andat events.

But throughout his tenure ititis isisnot not only physical health But Butthroughout throughouthis histenure tenureit notonly onlyphysical physicalhealth health transformation that has come out of the BP’s office.

The transformation transformationthat thathas hascome comeout outofofthe theBP’s BP’soffice. office.The The Borough’s education health has also been in focus.

“As Borough’s Borough’seducation educationhealth healthhas hasalso alsobeen been inin focus. focus. “As “As Borough President wanted totomake make sure that we give our Borough BoroughPresident PresidentII Iwanted wantedto makesure surethat thatwe wegive giveour our young people the tools they need totobe be competitive,” he young youngpeople peoplethe thetools toolsthey theyneed needto becompetitive,” competitive,”he he stated.

“We had to restructure our thinking on education stated. stated.“We “Wehad hadtotorestructure restructureour ourthinking thinkingon oneducation education and created pipelines sosochildren children can have competitive and andcreated createdpipelines pipelinesso children can can have have competitive competitive technology education as they move from elementary school technology technologyeducation educationasasthey theymove movefrom fromelementary elementaryschool school totocollege. college.

InInthis this regard we partnered with Kingsborough to college.In thisregard regardwe wepartnered partneredwith withKingsborough Kingsborough and Medgar Evers Colleges totocreate create these pipelines.

ItItis isis and andMedgar MedgarEvers EversColleges Collegesto createthese thesepipelines. pipelines.It something am very happy about.” something somethingII Iam amvery veryhappy happyabout.” about.”

Financial Financialliteracy literacyisisanother anotherone oneofofthe theBorough BoroughPresPresident’s ident’sobjectives objectivesthat thathas hasgained gainedbig bigdividends. dividends.“Far “Fartoo too many manypeople peoplehave haveunhealthy unhealthyfinancial financialsituations,” situations,”he hesaid. said.

“We “Wewanted wantedtotogive givepeople peoplean anopportunity opportunitytotobecome becomefinanfinancially ciallysound. sound.We Wepartnered partneredwith withbanks banksand andlending lendinginstituinstitutions tionstotocarry carrythis thisdiscussion discussioninto intothe thecommunity communityon ontopics topics like likefirst-time first-timehome homebuying, buying,saving savingfor forcollege, college,and andcredit credit card carddebt.” debt.”

The Thethird thirdarea areaofof focus focus on on the the Borough Borough President’s President’s agenda agendaisispersonal personalhealth. health.“When “WhenI Igot gotinto intooffice officeI Ithought thought that thatmy mylegacy legacywas wasgoing goingtotobe beininlaw lawenforcement enforcementand andmy my advocacy advocacyasasaapolice policeofficer officerofofcolor. color. But ButI Inow nowbelieve believethat that health healthisisgoing goingtotobe bemy mylegacy. legacy.Therefore, Therefore,atataaBorough Borough level levelwe weare areconcentrating concentratingour ourefforts effortson onteaching teachingfamilies families how howtotonot notlet letchronic chronicdiseases diseaseshijack hijacktheir theirlives. lives.We Weare are pushing pushingthe theenvelope envelopeand andare aregoing goingtotoembark embarkon onsome some www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

amazing studies totoshow show the benefits of plant-based diet.” amazing amazingstudies studiesto showthe thebenefits benefitsof ofaaaplant-based plant-baseddiet.” diet.”

Meatless Mondays in schools is also part of this health iniMeatless MeatlessMondays Mondaysin inschools schoolsisisalso alsopart partof ofthis thishealth health iniinitiative coupled with a million dollar allocation to build food tiative tiativecoupled coupledwith withaamillion milliondollar dollarallocation allocationto tobuild buildfood food labs and invest iningreenhouses. greenhouses. labs labsand andinvest investin greenhouses.

In recent times, the transformation of communities in In Inrecent recenttimes, times,the thetransformation transformation of of communities communities in in Brooklyn has been a hotly debated topic.

Some bemoan the Brooklyn Brooklynhas hasbeen beenaahotly hotlydebated debatedtopic. topic.Some Somebemoan bemoanthe the era ofofgentrification gentrification but Adams isisproud proud of his borough’s era eraof gentrificationbut butAdams Adamsis proud of of his his borough’s borough’s diversity.

“There are 2.6 million people who live in Brookdiversity. diversity.“There “Thereare are2.6 2.6million millionpeople peoplewho wholive livein in BrookBrooklyn, of which 47 percent speak a language other than Enlyn, lyn,ofofwhich which47 47percent percentspeak speakaalanguage language other other than than EnEnglish at home.

This is an extremely diverse borough I am glish glishatathome. home.This Thisisisan anextremely extremely diverse diverse borough borough II am am proud totolead lead because ititis isisan an amazing place,” he said. proud proudto leadbecause becauseit anamazing amazingplace,” place,”he hesaid. said.

“And the reason ititis isisamazing amazing isis not not because of its tall “And “Andthe thereason reasonit amazing is not because because of of its its tall tall buildings or its landscape.

Brooklyn is amazing because we buildings buildingsor orits itslandscape. landscape.Brooklyn Brooklynisisamazing amazingbecause becausewe we have good people here.

For every one person who brings have havegood goodpeople peoplehere. here.For Forevery everyone one person person who who brings brings down the borough because of their actions, we have 100 down downthe theborough borough because because of of their their actions, actions, we we have have 100 100 who lift us up totothe the highest standard,” he exclaimed.

“So who wholift liftus usup upto thehighest higheststandard,” standard,”he heexclaimed. exclaimed. “So “So when whenpeople peopleask askme mewhat whatmakes makesBrooklyn Brooklyngreat, great,the theanswer answer isissimple: simple:We Weare are great great because because we we have have ordinary ordinary people people doing doingextraordinary extraordinarythings thingsevery everyday. day.And AndIIlove loveit!” it!”

After Afteryears yearsofofspeculation speculation about about his his next next career career move, move, Adams Adamstold toldthe theDaily DailyNews News this this past past winter, winter, “Throughout “Throughout the theyears yearsIIhave havecontinuously continuouslystated statedthat that I’d I’d be be privileged privileged totobring bringmy myservices servicesto toCity CityHall Hallasasmayor. mayor.While Whilesome somemay may have haveplayed playedcoy coyabout about their their ambitions, ambitions, I’ve I’ve been been upfront upfront for foraalong longtime. time.IIbelieve believethat’s that’s what what New New Yorkers Yorkers respect respect and anddeserve.” deserve.”

Statements Statements inin aa recent recent podcast podcast and and other other interviews, interviews, erase eraseany anydoubt. doubt. “I’m “I’mworking workingtowards towardsCity CityHall,” Hall,”he he said said on onthe theMax Max&&Murphy Murphypodcast. podcast.“What “Whatwe’ve we’ve been been able able to to do dohere hereininBrooklyn, Brooklyn,and andmy myperception perceptionof ofwhere whereIIbelieve believe the thecity cityneeds needstotogo, go,IIthink thinkit’s it’sdifferent differentfrom fromall allthe thecandicandidates dateswho whoare arerunning runningand andthinking thinkingabout aboutrunning.” running.”

June/July June/July2018 2018 The ThePositive PositiveCommunity Community June/July 2018 The Positive Community

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Education the art + science of learning

BY GLENDA CADOGAN

Dr. Rudy Crew: Passion and Innovation Fuel His Work at Medgar Evers

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pending a significant period of his formative years shuttling back and forth by train between Harlem and Poughkeepsie, NY, academics and intellectual pursuits were certainly not foremost on the mind of a young Rudy Crew. In fact, he had long decided that he was not smart enough to go to college. But as a living testament to the power of amazing grace and divine intervention, this young lad grew up to be the person we now call Dr. Crew, and is president of Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers College.

Before landing at Medgar Evers, Crew served in leadership roles for diverse districts and schools, as chancellor of the nation’s largest school district, New York City Public Schools, and then as superintendent in Miami.

He began his career as a teacher and served as a middle and high school principal in California and Massachusetts, then as administrator in Boston, Sacramento, and Tacoma, Washington “My mother died when I was very young and my father, who was a musician, became my babysitter,” he explained. “Frankly, not only was I slow in learning to read, but I did not enjoy school. I had a hard time thinking of myself as smart enough to go to college. Though I flirted with the idea that maybe I could get to college on an athletic scholarship, I never rose to that caliber in playing soccer and basketball in high school.”

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Gratefully, the exposure to folks at IBM, where his father worked as a custodian and night watchman, provided the influence and the ticket to get Dr. Crew to the college doors. He also credits his turnaround to his father’s eclectic worldview and unwavering support in helping him make the grade.

It is this personal history that now fuels Crew’s passion to ensure that children growing up in inner city neighborhoods in Brooklyn — who may have the same mindset as he once did — are provided with opportunities to not just get to, but through the college doors. With his team, Dr. Crew has created the Pipeline Initiative —an innovation considered a national model for reform. The Pipeline works with a myriad of early college initiatives, the most notable being the Early College Dual Credit/Pipeline Pathways. In this program, high school students in Central Brooklyn are offered the opportunity to take collegelevel courses taught in their classrooms by their teachers.

MEC faculty collaborates with the teachers to align course content and assessments to ensure students receive courses comparable to CUNY academic standards. Principals and superintendents are also provided professional development that is unique to the Pipeline program and implementation. Additionally, parent academy programs guide parents and guardians through seminars and other experiences to boost their children’s college readiness. www.thepositivecommunity.com

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams

“The basic idea of the Pipeline is that there are a large number of students in elementary, middle, and high school who, for various reasons, do not think of themselves as college material,” said Dr. Crew. “Therefore, the Pipeline was established to serve as a road to college for many of these students and at the same time building their confidence and preparing them to be more successful once they matriculate.” So far about 60 schools Borough-wide with a total of about 3,000 students participate in the program on a volunteer basis.

Named after Medgar Evers, the civil rights activist murdered in Mississippi in 1963, the college was established in 1970 and has a history as checkered as the Crown Heights community in which it is located. In the view of its President, the institution is more than just a college. “I think of MEC in relation to the community the same way I think of a hospital. It is not just a place where you cure problems; it is a place where you prevent them,” said Dr. Crew adding, “This is a college that gives people the opportunity to be current and have a sense of vitality in a changing world. We firmly believe that the vitality of a community is tied to the vitality of its education system. Therefore MEC is one of the most important institutions not only helping people to gain access to jobs and higher wages, but to transition and learn new skills.” www.thepositivecommunity.com

Former Gov. of Massachusetts, Commencement Speaker Deval Patrick

Well known for its robust foreign-born student population, Dr. Crew addressed his administration’s attitude in approaching this topic. “Students who are foreign born or who have recently migrated can come to MEC and feel comfortable knowing that there is no judgment about their intellect or ability predicated on their zip code, where they came from, or what language they speak,” he explained. “Our approach has always been: how can we best roll out the welcome mat so that every student – even some who in cases are homeless – can feel comfortable on their journey to living their dream. In a world unfortunately divided by the haves and the have nots, Medgar Evers is an incredibly relevant place.”

In his inspirational address to the Freshman Class of 2016, Dr. Crew put their journey into perspective this way: “It is the pursuit of justice that has enabled us to come together in a family, a community such that we are all now under the umbrella of seekers of justice, carriers of wisdom, scholars of the word, and people who want desperately to live and lead better lives.”

Like countless others MEC graduates before them, in 2020 when these students receive their caps, gowns, and scrolls, the spirit of Medgar Evers will live on and through their pursuit of justice his voice, in death, will be amplified louder than it was while he was alive.

June/July 2018 The Positive Community

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NCLC SPECIAL SECTION

Newark Clergy Take Part in Newark City of Learning Collaborative Inaugural Interfaith College Seminar Representatives from each house of worship took a pledge to serve, bringing tools for college success to their community and sharing the mission of NCLC widely

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n Thursday, April 26, 2018, the Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC) gathered clergy members at Pillar College for the Inaugural Interfaith College Seminar: Exploring Newark’s CollegeGoing Culture. The half-day seminar, which was cosponsored by the City of Newark, The Positive Community magazine, and Pillar College, introduced faith leaders from various Christian denominations and the Muslim community to the citywide mission of building Newark’s college-going culture.

Housed at Rutgers University-Newark’s Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies, NCLC is working to ensure all Newark residents have the opportunity, information, and access to go to college, afford college, complete college, and ultimately obtain good jobs. During the seminar, clergy received resources to bring back to their

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communities, including supports available for high school students and adult learners, as well as information for financing a college education. NCLC’s higher education partners NJIT, Berkeley College, Pillar College, Rutgers University-Newark, and Essex County College, were among those present to provide resources and answer questions.

At the close of the seminar, representatives from each house of worship took a pledge to serve as an NCLC ambassador, bringing tools for college success to their community and sharing the mission of NCLC widely. NCLC and its co-sponsors look forward to future events to further engage Newark’s interfaith community and continue to reach more Newark residents.

For More information about NCLC, visit www.nclc2025.org.

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NCLC SPECIAL SECTION Pillar

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June/July 2018 The Positive Community

35

NCLC SPECIAL SECTION

BY CHANEL DONALDSON

his summer, the Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC) is releasing Post-Secondary Outcomes of Newark High School Graduates, an analysis of what college-going looks like for 13,500 of Newark’s recent graduates. NCLC, which is working to build Newark’s college-going culture by ensuring that all Newarkers have the tools and resources needed to get to and through college, produced the report in collaboration with the Rutgers University-Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration. Covering approximately 85 percent of all Newark high school students who graduated between 2011 and 2016, the report examines college enrollment, year-to-year persistence, and college completion rates for graduates from traditional public, charter, vocational technical, and parochial schools. The findings will help school leaders, educators, parents, and policymakers evaluate and strengthen the high school to college transition so as many Newark students as possible can succeed in college.

While overall college enrollment has increased for Newark high school graduates, it has declined for some graduates.

Almost two-thirds of Newark students are enrolling in college after graduation but, over the study period, enrollment declined by close to four percent among graduates of comprehensive high schools. Unlike magnet schools, comprehensive public high schools have historically served some of Newark’s neediest students.

More support is necessary to get the college enrollment rate up for graduates of comprehensive high schools.

More Newark high school graduates are going to fouryear institutions.

Enrollment has increased at four-year colleges and universities for Newark high school graduates. The most commonly attended four-year institutions include

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

Rutgers University-Newark, Kean University, Bloomfield College, and Montclair State University.

Persistence at two-year colleges is lower for Newark high school graduates than it is at four-year colleges.

Overall, rates of persistence from the first year to the second year are high, meaning that most students are returning to school after their freshman year. Persistence is a critical measure becausze if students persist from their first year to their second year, they are more likely to go on to complete their degree. However, persistence is lower at two-year colleges, a problem that affects the nearly 20 percent of Newark high school graduates who start college at a two-year institution. Additional supports will help students who enroll at a twoyear institution continue toward graduation or transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Not enough Newark high school graduates are earning a college degree within six years.

Only 35 percent of high school graduates are earning a college degree within six years, the time frame commonly used to assess completion time for a bachelor’s degree. Merely helping students get into college is not enough to guarantee their success. Additional attention is needed to ensure students are staying enrolled in college and actually earning their desired degree or credential.

Ward-based roundtables to generate conversation and brainstorm solutions around these findings will take place throughout summer and fall 2018. Engaging the community about how to best support Newark students to and through college is the ultimate goal.

To read the full report and view the schedule of upcoming roundtables, visit www.nclc2025.org. www.thepositivecommunity.com

Photo Courtesy of Montclair State University

T

What Does College-Going Look Like For Newark Students?

UNIVERS T YI V| E NE UI N RW SAI R T KY | UNIVERSITY | NEWARK

Where Where Opportunity Opp NEWA RK Opportunity Meets Meets Excellence Excellence E

AN OO R R I N IS N T IST T U ITTI O of A NR EW A NCCHH UNT IinONNE W inA RNKE, W KA , RofK N E W A R K A N C H O R I N S T I T U T I O N in N E W A R K , of N E W A R K RE RC BA S EADS A R ESSEEAA RH C- H -B E CDA D AECMAI C DP E RMO IGCR APMRSO G R A M S RESEARCH-BASED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS EX I EI N LE RN I NRGN , IL N O CGA, L L L L YG L O B A L L Y E XPPEER R E TNI A T LI A LA L EA LYO and C AG LL LO YB A and E X P E R I E N T I A L L E A R N I N G , L O C A L L Y and G L O B A L L Y D II VVEER R S ES E S TS UT DU EN C U LFTAYCCUOLMTMYU N TY D DTE and N TF A and C IO MMUNITY D I V E R S E S T U D E N T and F A C U L T Y C O M M U N I T Y A FFFFOOR R DD A BAL B E LEE D UECDAU T ICOA NT I O N A AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

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June/July 2018 The Positive Community

37

NCLC SPECIAL SECTION

BY: MICHAEL J. SMITH, PRESIDENT, BERKELEY COLLEGE

Graduation and the Family Photo Album

I

f a picture is worth a thousand words, then the photos of college students sharing the graduation stage with their children illustrate the importance of family in the educational equation of non-traditional college students.

Family and perseverance are two reasons often cited by adult students when asked what inspired them most and what it took for them to complete their college education.

Our adult learners repeatedly tell us they want to make their children proud and set an example of what it means to earn a college degree.

In its report, “Eight Economic Facts on Higher Education,” The Hamilton Project cites the median lifetime earnings of those who have bachelor’s degrees as double the earnings of individuals with high school diplomas.

For adult learners already in the workforce, a college degree often translates into a new socio-economic trajectory for their families.

Philanthropic organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are providing grant funding to colleges that develop innovative models to help adults graduate because they understand the long-term impact of a postsecondary education on an individual’s quality of life.

A study on income mobility by The Equality of Opportunity Project titled, “Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility,” provides an analysis of “colleges in America that contribute the most to helping (students) climb the income ladder.”

According to the report, which looks at access and outcomes, 39 percent of students at Berkeley College moved up two or more quintiles in their income.

The Mobility Report Card places Berkeley College in the top 4 percent of 2,137 colleges nationwide for overall income mobility. In New Jersey, Berkeley College ranks 5th out of 49 colleges and universities in overall income mobility. In New York, we rank

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

A

unjahne Williamson of Beacon, NY, earned her Bachelor of Administration in Accounting at Berkeley College. She started taking courses at the New York City campus, and after she moved, took courses online. Ms. Williamson worked handling cash functions for a major department store while in college and recently turned to working in real estate full time, after getting her real estate license. She plans to continue on her career path of becoming an accountant by enrolling in a Master’s program this fall. “In the future I want to make sure we have a better lifestyle that I didn’t have before,” Ms. Williamson said.

9th out of 158 colleges and universities in overall income mobility.

As college and university educators, we must be mindful of our place in the family photo albums of our students, because these images will forever change a family’s story, too.

What could be more inspiring to future generations than the thrill of the children of our graduates getting their first glimpse of higher education by walking alongside their mother or father as they cross the graduation stage?

We are eagerly awaiting to hear how these graduates will take control of their destinies as they write their own stories with the life tools acquired from their education.

In 2018, more than 2,300 students graduated from Berkeley College. Berkeley College, established in 1931, has locations in New Jersey (Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park), New York (Brooklyn, New York City and White Plains), and online. www.thepositivecommunity.com

Berkeley College Lachanee Scott Hometown: Newark by way of Jamaica Major: Legal Studies Accomplishments: Robert Maher Award Recipient, Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, summa cum laude, member of three national honor societies, and founder and president of the Berkeley College Newark Caribbean Club Career plan: become a judge; secured a position as a Records Associate at the McCarter & English, LLP law firm; and expects to attend law school in the near future Robert Maher Award recipient exemplifies story of perseverance

�oora�

Kean University

for the

Graduates!

Scott Royster Hometown: Franklin Park, N.J. Degree: B.S. Physical Education and Health At Kean: Student-Athlete Scholar, NCAA Student Athlete Leadership Forum Representative, Kean Men’s Lacrosse Captain, Student Athlete Advisory Committee Co-President Currently: Junior Boys Division Head, Oak Crest Day Camp Quote: “I want to get my master’s degree and be an athletic director.”

Schané Flowers Hometown: Perth Amboy, N.J. Degree: B.A. English - Writing Option Accomplishments: Published in online and digital magazines (Content Writer, Breazy) Currently: Sales Lead, Ann Taylor Loft and Content Creator, online store Career Plan: Copywriter for a marketing agency/brand Quotes: “Kean's immersive courses in digital media analytics, writing, and student work-study prepared me to not only pass my classes, but to be the ideal candidate for companies during the application process. I landed two jobs before graduation—and I'm still getting job offers a month later.”

“I love being a storyteller, whether it’s factual news or creative fiction.

I chose English because I have a love of writing and it’s something that was beckoning and calling to me.”

www.thepositivecommunity.com

June/July 2018 The Positive Community

39

�oora� for the

Graduates!

Pillar College Shelly Bell Hometown: Newark Major: Psychology & Counseling Accomplishments: Co-Leading Winning Women – helping women find their identity and live out their purpose.

Currently pursuing M.A. in Counseling – Looking to provide counseling services to women dealing with mental health issues.

Career plan: To become a licensed counselor and provide services for women who suffer with mental health issues in our community

Montclair State University Haja Dukureh Hometown: East Orange, NJ Major: Family and Child Studies.

Degree: BA Accomplishments: Earned degree in 3 years, on the Dean’s List, Received the first ever Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF) Advocacy Award for her testimony – about how EOF transforms the lives of low-income, highly motivated students – that helped the New Jersey Higher Education Budget Committee restore $1.4 million in funding to EOF programs statewide.

Career Plan: Pursue a graduate degree in Social Work.

Touro College Petal Harrigain Home: Trinidad, West Indies Major: Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts & Sciences Accomplishments: Class 2018 Salutatorian Paraprofessional at Lewis & Clark HS in Bronx, Ran a day care for 7 years Career Plan: Teacher for Special Ed/Day Care facility

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

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Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) Marricka Scott McFadden Hometown: Bronx, NY Major: Public Affairs and Administration Degree: Master Degree in Public Affairs and Administration (MPA) Accomplishments: Has spent nearly 20 years in politics and public service.

Served as chief of staff for New York State Assembly Speaker.

In 2009, she was named one of City Hall News’ “40 Under 40 Rising Stars in Politics.

Listed on City & State’s 2016 Bronx Most Influential Persons.

Career Plan: Marricka is the current Deputy Bronx Borough President.

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Jonathan Isaacs Hometown: Newark’s West Ward Major: Architecture Degree: Bachelor of Architecture Accomplishments: Graduating from NJIT with a B.Arch. and Working at CallisonRTKL a global architecture, planning, and design firm Career plan: “Come up with new design concepts and strategies for large retailers, design flagship stores and provide ground-up assistance in designing buildings and interior spaces.”

Quote: "I chose NJIT because it has the dual benefit of being competitive as a university in the STEM industry, but also being affordable and providing a top-notch education for a decent price."

NYPD Police Academy

F

our hundred and forty-eight new protectors of New York City graduated the NYPD Police Academy at a ceremony held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Mayor Bill de Blasio, Police Commissioner James O’Neill, NYPD executives, elected officials, and loved ones gathered to celebrate. The April 2018 graduating class includes officers from over 40 countries who speak 45 different languages. Twenty-nine of the graduates have honorably served our nation in the military.

“You’re here now because you want to be a part of something larger than yourselves. You’re here because you believe in the possibility of an even safer city and an even safer country,” said Police Commissioner O’Neill.

In the tradition of service that has defined the NYPD since 1845, equipped with the best training in the world, these officers will carry out the NYPD’s mission to continue driving down crime in NYC while connecting with the communities they serve.

www.thepositivecommunity.com

June/July 2018 The Positive Community

41

Photos: Lem Peterkin

Culture

music, art + literature

Honree Richard Rafik Williamson performing Randy Weston’s “Hy-Fly” Bass Ment won first place

Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival Features Youth Competition

A

s part of this year’s monthlong Jazz Festival, (April 13 – May 13), sponsored by the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, young jazz enthusiasts showed their stuff at the Youth Jazz Jamboree Competition. The event is part of CBJC’s efforts to ensure the continuation of jazz music through the development of youth.

Performances by both solo artists and bands delighted audiences. Bass Ment, a band consisting of students who attend Beacon High School in Manhattan, received the $500.00 first prize for their original composition.

During the program, the “Upon The Shoulders of Our Elders Award” was presented to pianist and educator, Richard Rafik Williamson, acknowledging an elder whose character, life journey, and legacy, were recognized for the qualities of innovation, industry, and excellence. Williamson sacrificed fame and fortune to uphold the integrity of the art and skills of jazz, ensuring its preservation by pass-

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The Positive Community June/July 2018

Q City Sound took second place winner

ing on the skills and history of jazz to youth and community.

Williamson was joined by youth bands and seasoned professionals for a grand finale performance of Randy Weston’s “Hy-Fly,” conducted by Irwin

Hall. It was a resounding performance and very much appreciated by both the audience and the musicians.

CBJC looks forward to fostering the continued growth of the Youth Jazz Jamboree Competition. —TPC Staff www.thepositivecommunity.com

Sat, Oct 27 @ 2PM & 7:30PM Experience Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire™ with the full score performed live by New Jersey Symphony Orchestra!

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING`S WIZARDING WORLD™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.

Entertainment Inc.Publishing Rights © JKR. (s18)

beres hammond & chronixx aug 1

bring it! live Fri, Jul 20 @ 8PM Fans become part of the action when Miss D and her Dancing Dolls perform never-before-seen routines live on stage!

ladysmith black mambazo

trevor noah

Sun, Aug 5 @ 3PM The a cappella group was first introduced to an international audience on Paul Simon’s classic 1986 Graceland LP.

Fri, Sep 7–8 @ 7PM Trevor Noah, the host of Comedy Central’s Emmy-winning Daily Show, returns to NJPAC with an evening of hilarious stand-up.

maceo parker

Free Summer Concert Series Thursdays!

Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue Dance Party Jul 12 EPMD Universal Hip Hop Museum Jul 19 Tank and The Bangas Jul 26 Antibalas Aug 2 Maceo Parker Aug 9 Frankie Negron Aug 16

jo koy

oscar d’león

the gypsy kings

Break the Mold Tour Thu, Sep 13 @ 8PM Fri, Sep 14 @ 7PM Stand-up sensation Jo Koy, a regular on Chelsea Lately, Comedy Central and The Adam Carolla Show, makes his NJPAC debut.

Sat, Sep 22 @ 8PM An evening with three of salsa’s hottest acts: bassist-vocalist Oscar D’León, vocalist Tony Vega and Los Hermanos Moreno

Sun, Sep 23 @ 7PM These GRAMMY-winning, world music superstars bring their party-starting blend of flamenco, salsa and pop.

World Music Series Sponsored by American Express

jul_NJPAC_ad_positive_community.indd 1

Rah Digga Aug 23 Jon B. Aug 30

@NJPAC • 1.888.GO.NJPAC njpac.org Groups of 9 or more call 973.353.7561 One Center Street Newark, NJ 6/19/18 4:20 PM

Committed Committed to to Community Community Rev. Rev.Dr. Dr.Valerie ValerieOliver-Durrah Oliver-Durrah is is Called Called to to Serve Serve By By ByGlenda Glenda GlendaCadogan Cadogan Cadogan

II

nnn an an an October October October 2014 2014 2014 article in article article in in this this this magamagamagazine, zine, zine, Rev. Rev. Rev. Dr. Dr. Dr. Valerie Valerie Valerie Oliver-Durrah, Oliver-Durrah, Oliver-Durrah, president president president and and andchief chief chiefexecutive executive executive offioffiofficer of the Neighborhood cer cer of of the the Neighborhood Neighborhood Technical Assistance Technical Technical Assistance Assistance Clinic (NTAC), Clinic Clinic (NTAC), (NTAC), talked talked talked about about about being being being “called “called “called to to to serve.” serve.” serve.”At At Atthat that thattime, time, time, she she she had had had no no no idea idea idea how how how much much much that declaration that that declaration declaration would would would change change changeher her herlife. life. life.

“Since “Since “Since the the the article article article III have seen a shift have have seen seen aa shift shift in in in my my my work toward more work work toward toward more more enenengagement gagement gagement with with with faith faith faith communities communities communities focusing focusing focusing on on on results results results rather rather rather than than than activities,” she activities,” activities,” she she revealed revealed revealed inin inaaarecent recent recentconversation. conversation. conversation.

Through NTAC, Dr. Durrah has been Through Through NTAC, NTAC, Dr. Dr. Durrah Durrah has has been beeninvolved involved involvedwith with withhelphelphelping community-based non-profit organizations for ing ing community-based community-based non-profit non-profit organizations organizations for forthe the thepast past past 3030 30years. years. years.“The “The “Thearticle article articlemade made mademe me merealize realize realizethe the theimportance importance importanceof of of helping helping helpingclergy clergy clergywomen women womencreate create createcommunity community communitychange,” change,” change,”she she conconshecontinued. tinued. tinued.“So “So “SoI IInow now nowhave have havemore more moreofof ofaaaheart heart heartfor for forserving, serving, serving,working working working with, and empowering women who are senior with, with, and and empowering empowering women women who who are are senior seniorpastors pastors pastorsin in in their their theirchurches.” churches.” churches.”

NTAC, NTAC, NTAC,founded founded foundedby by byDurrah, Durrah, Durrah,serves serves servesthe the theneeds needs needsof of ofphilanphilanphilanthropic individuals and organizations in its efforts thropic thropic individuals individuals and and organizations organizations in in its its efforts effortsto to todeveldeveldevelop, op, op,support, support, support,and and andmaintain maintain maintaineffective effective effectivecommunity-based community-based community-basedand and and faith-based faith-based faith-basedprograms. programs. programs. The The The Brooklyn-based Brooklyn-based Brooklyn-based organization organization organization also also alsoserves serves servesnon-profits non-profits non-profitswishing wishing wishingtoto toimprove improve improveprograms programs programsand and and organizational capacity for addressing the needs organizational organizational capacity capacity for for addressing addressing the the needs needsof of oflow-inlow-inlow-income come comeand and andservice-starved service-starved service-starvedneighborhoods. neighborhoods. neighborhoods.

AsAs a result ofNTAC’s NTAC’srefocused refocuseddirection, direction,Durrah DurrahreAs aa result resultofof NTAC’s refocused direction, Durrah rerecently published Lead Me: Guide Me: Capacity Me: Guide cently cently published published Lead Lead Me: Guide Me: Me: Capacity CapacityBuilding Building Building Resource Resource ResourceGuide, Guide, Guide,aaaself self self-help -help -helpmanual manual manual designed designed designed to to to assist assist assist clergy women who are interested in engaging in nonprofit clergy clergy women women who who are are interested interested in in engaging engaging in in nonprofit nonprofit work. work. work.The The Theguidebook guidebook guidebookprovides provides providesimportant important importantinformation information informationon on on everything from nonprofit incorporation guidelines for everything everything from from nonprofit nonprofit incorporation incorporation guidelines guidelines for for New New NewYork York YorkState, State, State,tax tax taxexemption exemption exemptioninstruction, instruction, instruction,board board boarddevelopdevelopdevelopment tips, 20 biggest fundraising mistakes, and scriptural ment ment tips, tips, 20 20 biggest biggest fundraising fundraising mistakes, mistakes, and andscriptural scriptural evidence evidence evidenceconfirming confirming confirmingthe the theneed need needfor for forcommunity community communityservice, service, service,volvolvolunteer work, and women helping in the community. unteer unteer work, work, and and women women helping in the community.

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The Positive Community www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

June/July 2018

Also Also Also instructive instructive instructive toward toward toward her her her new new new direction direction direction was was earning earning her doctoral degree from New York Theological her her doctoral doctoral degree degree from from New New York York Theological Theological Seminary.

Seminary.

Her Her Herdissertation, dissertation, dissertation, which which which focused focused focused on on on women women and and girls girls emempowerment, was the first spark.

“In my research, powerment, powerment, was was the the first first spark. spark. “In “In my research, II found found out out out there there there were were were not not not too too too many many many churches churches churches that that had had serious serious in-depth programs for girls,” Dr. Durrah explained. in-depth in-depth programs programs for for girls,” girls,” Dr. Dr. Durrah Durrah explained. “I “I had had hadthe the the notion notion notion that that that there there there needed needed needed to to to be be more more women women as as senior senior seniorpastors, pastors, pastors, which which which would would would allow allow allow for for for the the creation creation of of lots lots more programs for women and girls.

I also discovered more more programs programs for for women women and and girls. girls. I also discovered that that whether whether whetheraaachurch church church had had had aaa nonprofit nonprofit nonprofit or or or not, not, very very few few had had aa 501c3 status.

The fact is that it is very difficult to create 501c3 501c3 status. status. The The fact fact is is that that itit is is very very difficult to create community community communitychange change changeifififyou you youdo do donot not nothave have havean anaffiliate affiliate nonprofit nonprofit organization.” organization.” organization.”

Durrah Durrah Durrahsays says saysafter after after30 30 30years years yearsof of ofcommunity-based community-based community-based work, work, she she isis now more enthused with transforming lives rather is now now more more enthused enthused with with transforming transforming lives rather than than providing providing providingaaa service. service. service. “One “One “One service service service provided provided provided by by aa nonprofit nonprofit isis not enough,” she explained.

“So instead of is not not enough,” enough,” she she explained. explained. “So “So instead instead of focusing focusing on on filling filling fillingaaaroom room roomwith with withpeople people peoplefor for foraaaworkshop— workshop— workshop— many many of of whom whom IIImay may maynever never neversee see seeagain—I again—I again—Iwould would wouldrather rather rather work work with with those those who who are serious about impacting the lives of the people are are serious serious about about impacting impacting the the lives lives of the people they they serve. serve. serve.There There Thereseems seems seemsto to tobe be be aaa serious serious serious lack lack lack of of services services in in black black churches, so we are competing with the plate when churches, churches, so so we we are are competing competing with with the plate when we we ask ask the the thechurch church churchto to todo do donew new new programming programming programming in in the the community. community. By By creating creating creatingnon-profit non-profit non-profit organizations, organizations, organizations, churches churches churches can can then then have have the the thecapacity capacity capacityto to todo do dofundraising fundraising fundraisingto to tofund fund fundthese thesenew new programs.” programs.”

Since its first soft publication, praises have Since Since its its first first soft soft publication, publication, praises praises have rolled rolled in in from from across the country for Dr. Durrah’s resource guide across across the the country country for for Dr. Dr. Durrah’s Durrah’s resource guide book. book.

Rev. Rev. Rev.Dr. Dr. Dr.Kanyere Kanyere Kanyere Eaton, Eaton, Eaton, senior senior senior pastor pastor pastor at at Fellowship Fellowship CoveCovenant Church, had this to say: “What a valuable nant nant Church, Church, had had this this to to say: say: “What “What a valuable resource! resource!

When When WhenIIIwas was wasnew new newto to tomy my mychurch’s church’s church’scommunity, community, community, this this easy-to-use easy-to-use guide to the institutions, services, and officials guide guide to to the the institutions, institutions, services, services, and and officials in in my my neighneighborhood helped me.

Every church needs a resource borhood borhood helped helped me. me. Every Every church church needs needs a resource book book like like likethis.” this.” this.”

Adding Adding Adding to to to the the the chorus chorus chorus of of of voices voices voices was was Rev. Rev. Marva Marva D. D. Usher-Kerr, senior pastor at Tremont United Methodist Usher-Kerr, Usher-Kerr, senior senior pastor pastor at at Tremont Tremont United Methodist Church: Church: Church: “The “The “Theself-help self-help self-helpbook book bookwas was wasextremely extremely extremely useful useful because because itititchallenged you to become more familiar with challenged challenged you you to to become become more more familiar familiar with your your own own neighborhood. neighborhood. neighborhood.There There There isis is even even even aaa neighborhood neighborhood neighborhood checklist checklist in in the the the guide guide guide that that that encourages encourages encourages you you you to to to know know know the the key key resourcresources es esand and andleaders leaders leaders in in in your your your local local local community. community. community. This This reminder reminder isis helpful because it brings attention to what we often helpful helpful because because itit brings brings attention attention to to what we often take take for for granted, but usually do not know.” granted, granted, but but usually usually do do not not know.” know.”

ItIt Itisis is said said said the the the reward reward reward for for for aaa job job job well well well done done isis more more work. work.

IfIf so, then not only has Dr. Durrah’s past 30 years If so, so, then then not not only only has has Dr. Dr. Durrah’s Durrah’s past 30 years of of work work been been beenexceptionally exceptionally exceptionallydone; done; done;she she sheisis isjust just just getting getting getting started. started.

June/July The 45 June/July June/July 2018 2018 2018 www.thepositivecommunity.com The The Positive Positive Positive Community Community 45

First Hopewell Baptist Church Celebration Photos: Karen Waters

L–R: Kevin Maynor, operatic basso profundo; and Bethany Baptist deacon and First Hopewell B.C. new pastor, Rev. Onaje L.A. Crawford

Rev. Onaje L. A. Crawford Installed

A

weekend full of events beginning with an evening service on Friday, April 20, 2018 welcomed Rev. Onaje L. A. Crawford as the new pastor of First Hopewell Baptist Church.

Rev. Dr. Eva C. Foster of First Baptist Church of Irvington presided.

Spirits soared at the Saturday luncheon at the Westwood in Garwood,

L–R: Pastor Emeritus, Bethany B.C., Dr. M. William Howard, Jr. and wife Barbara; First Lady and Rev. Crawford; and Rev. Dr. Ralph M. Branch, Jr.

NJ, where Rev. Dr. M. William Howard’s brilliant remarks took the celebratory atmosphere even higher.

Rev. Howard is pastor emeritus of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark.

Pastor Onaje served as associate minister there and both clergy and congregation were on hand to wish him well. Minister Renee Brown-

Johnson, also of Bethany, preached the glorious Sunday morning service and Rev. Timothy L. Jones, senior pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, brought the weekend to an inspiring close at the formal installation service on Sunday afternoon. —TPC Staff Congratulations, Pastor Crawford.

Delegation representing St. John’s Baptist Church, Scotch Plains, NJ www.thepositivecommunity.com

June/July 2018 The Positive Community

45

Dorthaan Dorthaan Kirk Kirk

POSITIVEMUSIC POSITIVEMUSIC POSITIVEMUSIC

MATTERS MATTERS

Newark’s First Lady of Jazz Retires Newark’s First Lady of Jazz Retires

By R.L. Witter

!

By R.L. By Witter

By R.L. R.L. Witter Witter

D

orthaan Kirk is jazz. While some are scratching orthaan Kirk is While some scratching orthaan Kirk is jazz.

While some are scratching orthaan Kirkothers is jazz. jazz. know Whileexactly some are are scratching their heads, what II mean. their heads, others know exactly what their heads, others know exactly what II mean. mean. their heads, others know exactly what mean.

Sure, the widow of jazz musician Rahsaan RoSure, the widow of jazz musician Rahsaan RoSure, the widow of jazz musician Rahsaan RoSure, the widow of jazz musician Rahsaan Roland Kirk is a person associated with jazz—she has land Kirk is a person associated with jazz—she has land Kirk is a person associated with jazz—she has land Kirk is a person associated with jazz—she has been for more than 40 years.

But the First Lady of Newbeen for more than 40 years.

But the First Lady of Newbeen for more than 40 years.

But the First Lady of Newbeen for more than 40 years.

But the First Lady of Newark Jazz, co-founder of WBGO, hostess of Dorthaan’s ark Jazz, co-founder of hostess of ark Jazz, co-founder of WBGO, hostess of Dorthaan’s ark Jazz, co-founder of WBGO, WBGO, hostess art of Dorthaan’s Dorthaan’s Place at NJPAC, curator of the WBGO collection, Place at NJPAC, curator of the WBGO art collection, Place at NJPAC, curator of the WBGO art collection, Place at NJPAC, curator of the WBGO art collection, curator of concert series, and director of Communicurator of concert series, and director of Communicurator of concert series, and director of Communicurator of concert series, and director of Community Relations and Special Events really is jazz. There’s ty Relations and Events really is There’s ty Relations and Special Events really is jazz.

There’s ty Relations and Special Special Events really is jazz. jazz.

There’s proof, too.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk wrote “Dorthaan’s proof, too.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk wrote “Dorthaan’s proof, too.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk wrote “Dorthaan’s proof, too.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk wrote “Dorthaan’s Walk” to immortalize her.

Walk” to her.

Walk” to immortalize her.

Walk” to immortalize immortalize her.

By definition, jazz is “a type of music of black AmerBy definition, jazz is “a of AmerBy definition, jazz is “a type of music of black AmerBy definition, jazz is “a type type of music music of of black black American origin characterized by improvisation, syncopaican origin characterized by improvisation, syncopaican origin characterized by improvisation, syncopaican origin characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and usually a regular or forceful rhythm.”

All of tion, and usually a or rhythm.”

All of tion, and usually a regular or forceful rhythm.”

All of tion, and usually a regular regular or forceful forceful rhythm.”

All of those words can easily be used to describe Mrs. Kirk. those words can easily be used to describe Mrs. Kirk. those words can easily be used to describe Mrs. Kirk. those words can easily be used to describe Mrs. Kirk.

Her career in jazz began largely by improvisation.

Her career in jazz began largely by improvisation.

Her career in jazz began largely by improvisation.

Her careershe in was jazz just began largely by so improvisation.

Originally, a jazz fan like many of us.

Originally, she was just a jazz fan like so many us.

Originally, she was just a jazz fan like so many of us.

Originally, she was just a jazz fan like so many of ofspirus.

But through her love of live music, her generous But through her love of live music, her generous spirBut through her love of live music, her generous spirBut through her love of live music, her generous spirit, and her tenacity, Dorthaan Kirk emerged as the it, and tenacity, Dorthaan Kirk emerged as it, and her tenacity, Dorthaan Kirk emerged as the it, andtoher her tenacity, Dorthaan Kirk emerged as the the name know in jazz around the tri-state area, indeed name to know in jazz around the tri-state area, indeed name to know in jazz around the tri-state area, indeed name to know in jazz around the tri-state area, indeed around the world. around the around the world. around the world. world.

Originally from Texas, Kirk relocated to Los AngeOriginally from Texas, Kirk relocated to AngeOriginally from Texas, Kirk relocated to Los AngeOriginally from Texas, Kirk LA relocated to Los Los While Angeles as a plucky teen attending City College. les as a plucky teen attending LA City College.

While les as a plucky teen attending LA City College.

While les as a plucky teen attending LA City College.

While there, she enjoyed nightlife and music that would latthere, she nightlife and music that latthere, she enjoyed nightlife and music that would latthere, she enjoyed enjoyed nightlife andlegend. music Late that would would later become the stuff of musical night sets er become the stuff of musical legend.

Late night sets er become the stuff of musical legend.

Late night sets er become the stuff of musical legend.

Late night sets included Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and George included Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and George included Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and George included Milesfirst Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and the George Benson.

Kirk’s husband was a jazz fan and couBenson.

Kirk’s first husband was a jazz fan and the couBenson.

Kirk’s first husband was a jazz fan and the couBenson.

Kirk’s first husband was a jazz fan and the couple’s home was known to welcome traveling musicians ple’s home was known to welcome traveling musicians ple’s home was known to welcome traveling musicians ple’s home was known to welcome traveling musicians for a bit of respite and a home-cooked meal.

It was for a of and a meal.

It for a bit of respite and a home-cooked meal.

It was for a bit bit of respite respite and a home-cooked home-cooked meal.formed It was was during many of those meals when friendships during during many of those meals when friendships formed during many many of of those those meals meals when when friendships friendships formed formed

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46 The Positive Community

June/July 2018

Risasi Dias Risasi Dias Risasi Risasi Dias Dias

and Dorthaan unknowingly laid the foundation for and Dorthaan unknowingly laid the for and Dorthaan unknowingly laid the foundation for and Dorthaan unknowingly laid the foundation foundation for her next chapter in life.

She eventually embraced an her next chapter in life.

She eventually embraced an her next chapter in life.

She eventually embraced an her next chapter in life.

She eventually embraced an improvisational spirit and left behind California and improvisational spirit and left behind California and improvisational spirit and left behind California and improvisational spirit and left behind California and a secure job with the Department of Social Services to a secure job with the Department of Social Services to a secure job with the of Services to a secure job withRahsaan the Department Department of Social Social Services to head east with Roland Kirk to begin a new head east with Rahsaan Roland Kirk to begin a new head east with Rahsaan Roland Kirk to begin a new head east with Rahsaan Roland Kirk to begin a new adventure, first in Philadelphia, then in New Jersey. adventure, first in Philadelphia, then in New Jersey. adventure, first in then in Jersey. adventure, firstsay in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, then in New New Jersey.

One might her arrival on the east coast was a One might say her arrival on the east coast was a One might say her arrival on the east coast was One might say her arrival on the east coast was a a form of syncopation, “placement of rhythmic stressform of syncopation, “placement of rhythmic stressform of syncopation, “placement of rhythmic stressform of syncopation, “placement of rhythmic stresses or accents where they wouldn’t normally occur.” es or accents where they wouldn’t normally occur.” es or where they wouldn’t normally occur.” es or accents accents where they wouldn’t normally occur.”

Dorthaan was working for WBGO before WBGO was Dorthaan was working for WBGO before WBGO was Dorthaan was working for WBGO before WBGO was Dorthaan was working for WBGO before WBGO was even WBGO. Her forceful rhythm and her conneceven WBGO. Her forceful rhythm and her conneceven WBGO. Her forceful rhythm and her conneceven WBGO. Her forceful rhythm and her connections to jazz music and personalities helped build tions to jazz music and personalities helped build tions to music personalities helped build tions to jazz jazz upstart music and and personalities helped build the fledgling on the fourth floor of Newark the fledgling upstart on the fourth floor of Newark the fledgling upstart on the fourth floor of Newark the fledgling upstart on the fourth floor of Newark Central High School into the global leader in jazz Central High School into the global leader in jazz Central High School into leader in jazz Central High School into the theinglobal global leader in jazz music.

She was also integral helping Rev. Dr. M. music.

She was also integral in helping Rev. Dr. M. music.

She was also integral in helping Rev. Dr. M. music.

She was also integral in helping Rev. Dr. M. William Howard turn his lifelong love of jazz into the William Howard turn his lifelong love of jazz into the William Howard turn his lifelong love of jazz into the William Howard turn his lifelong love of jazz into the institution that is now Jazz Vespers at Bethany Baptist institution that is now Jazz Vespers at Bethany Baptist institution that institution that is is now now Jazz Jazz Vespers Vespers at at Bethany Bethany Baptist Baptist Church in Newark.

Church in Newark.

Church in Newark.

Church in Newark.

Celebrating her 80th birthday, she has retired from Celebrating her 80th birthday, she has retired from Celebrating her 80th she retired from Celebrating her 80thinbirthday, birthday, sheathas has retired from WBGO. The big party her honor NPAC on April WBGO. The big party in her honor at NPAC on April WBGO. The big party in her honor at NPAC on April WBGO. The big party in her honor at NPAC on April 28 was quite a send-off.

While my initial reaction was a 28 was quite a send-off.

While my initial reaction was a 28 was quite While my reaction was a 28 was quite a a send-off. send-off.

Whilereplaced my initial initialwith reaction wasof a bit melancholy, it was quickly feelings bit melancholy, it was quickly replaced with feelings of bit melancholy, it was quickly replaced with feelings of bit melancholy, it was quickly replaced with feelings of gratitude for all she has done for Newark for jazz, and gratitude for all she has done for Newark for jazz, and gratitude for done for for jazz, gratitude for all all she sheIhas has done for Newark Newark forDorthaan jazz, and and for the community. also realized that since for the community.

I also realized that since Dorthaan for the community.

I also realized that since Dorthaan for the community.

I also realized that since Dorthaan Kirk truly is jazz, her life is like a wonderful jazz song Kirk truly is jazz, her life is like a wonderful jazz song Kirk truly is life is a jazz Kirk truly is jazz, jazz, her her life after is like likethe a wonderful wonderful jazz song song being performed.

Often, solos are played the being performed.

Often, after the solos are played the being performed.

Often, after the solos are played the being performed.

Often, after the solos are played the song begins to wind down.

But when that set is really song begins to wind down.

But when that set is really song begins to wind down.

But when that set is really song begins to wind down.

But when that set is really cooking and everyone is feeling it, another solo will cooking and everyone is feeling it, another solo will cooking and everyone is feeling another solo will cooking and everyone iscontinues feeling it, it,for another solo will bust out and the music a little longer. bust out and the music continues for a little longer. bust out and the music continues for a little longer. bust out and the music continues for a little longer.

Hopefully, Dorthaan’s set will do the same.

Hopefully, Dorthaan’s set will do the same.

Hopefully, Hopefully, Dorthaan’s Dorthaan’s set set will will do do the the same. same.

43 June/July 2018 The Positive Community 43 June/July The June/July 2018 Positive Community June/July 2018 2018 The The Positive Positive Community Community www.thepositivecommunity.com

HOT DAYS, COOL JAZZ

newarkmuseum.org

THURSDAYS, 12:15-1:45 PM

49 Washington Street Newark, NJ 07102

Doors open at 11:30 AM

TTY 711

Featuring Grammy-winning & Grammy-nominated performers.

2018

JULY 12

MARK GROSS +STRINGS

JULY 19

MARC CARY

JULY 26

BOBBY SANABRIA

AUGUST 2

CARLA COOK

Saxophonist Pianist

Drummer / Percussionist Vocalist

Stir the soul and enjoy a midday break with some open-air jazz.

Bring your lunch. Bring a friend. Lunch may also be purchased on-site.

Museum Members and Newark Residents: FREE Soon-to-be members & Jazz Lovers: $5 Official Airline

Media Sponsor

Presents

44 years

FREE ADMISSION

06.27-08.08 2018 (Except July 4)

WEDNESDAYS, 7pm

49 washington street newark, nj 07102-3176 973.596.6550

711

TEL

TTY

Featuring the Paul Robeson Awards Youth Cinema, Mondays & Wednesdays, July 9–August 8 www.thepositivecommunity.com

newarkmuseum.org June/July 2018 The Positive Community

47

NEW HOURS OF OPERATION OPEN 7am to 7pm: Wed., Thur., Fri., Sat. & Sun. CLOSED: Mon. & Tues

WORDS AND MUSIC BY

JERRY LEIBER AND MIKE STOLLER DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY

JOSHUA BERGASSE BROADWAY’S BELOVED HIT MUSICAL RETURNS

SMOKEYJOESCAFEMUSICAL.COM L-R: John Edwards, Jelani Remy, Dwayne Cooper, Kyle Taylor Parker Phho: Julia Russell

48

The Positive Community June/July 2018

www.thepositivecommunity.com

!!!

MATTERS MATTERS MATTERS MATTERS

POSITIVEMUSIC POSITIVEMUSIC POSITIVEMUSIC POSITIVEMUSIC POSITIVEMUSIC

Jazz, Blues, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Blues, Blues, Blues, Blues, and and and and Beyond Beyond Beyond Beyond Beyond An Evening of An Evening of An An An AnEvening Evening Evening Evening Eveningof of of of

ANTOINETTE MONTAGUE LIGHTS UP THE STAGE AT RUTGERS–NEWARK ANTOINETTE MONTAGUE LIGHTS UP AT RUTGERS–NEWARK ANTOINETTE ANTOINETTE ANTOINETTE ANTOINETTE ANTOINETTEMONTAGUE MONTAGUE MONTAGUE MONTAGUE MONTAGUELIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTSUP UP UP UPTHE THE THE THE THESTAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE AT AT AT AT RUTGERS–NEWARK RUTGERS–NEWARK RUTGERS–NEWARK RUTGERS–NEWARK RUTGERS–NEWARK

N N N

ewark native Antoinette Montague isis internationewark native Antoinette Montague internationewark ewark ewark ewark ewark native native native nativeAntoinette Antoinette Antoinette Antoinette Antoinette Montague Montague Montague Montague isis isisinternationinternationinternationinternationinternationally recognized for her “beyond category” musical ally recognized for her “beyond category” musical ally ally ally ally ally recognized recognized recognized recognized for for for for for her her her her her “beyond “beyond “beyond “beyond category” category” category” category” category” musical musical musical musical stylings, moving artfully from jazz to blues to swing, stylings, moving artfully from jazz to blues to swing, stylings, stylings, stylings, stylings, stylings, moving moving moving moving artfully artfully artfully artfully artfully from from from from from jazz jazz jazz jazz to to to to blues blues blues blues blues to to to to swing, swing, swing, swing, laced with tinges of gospel and R&B. Montague has perlaced with tinges of gospel and R&B. Montague has perlaced laced laced laced with with with with with tinges tinges tinges tinges of of of of gospel gospel gospel gospel gospel and and and and and R&B. R&B. R&B. R&B. Montague Montague Montague Montague Montague has has has has perperperperformed alongside scores of noteworthy jazz and blues musiformed alongside scores of noteworthy jazz and blues musiformed formed formed formed formed alongside alongside alongside alongside scores scores scores scores scores of of of of of noteworthy noteworthy noteworthy noteworthy noteworthy jazz jazz jazz jazz and and and and blues blues blues blues musimusimusimusicians.

She has performed and taught MBA students about cians.

She has performed and taught MBA students about cians. cians. cians. cians.

She She She She She has has has has performed performed performed performed performed and and and and and taught taught taught taught taught MBA MBA MBA MBA students students students students students about about about about working in creative teams as jazz bands at Jazz at Lincoln working in creative teams as jazz bands at Jazz at Lincoln working working working working working in in in in creative creative creative creative teams teams teams teams teams as as as as as jazz jazz jazz jazz jazz bands bands bands bands at at at at Jazz Jazz Jazz Jazz Jazz at at at at Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Center, the Blue Note, New Jersey Performing Arts Center Center, the Blue Note, New Jersey Performing Arts Center Center, Center, Center, Center, Center, the the the the Blue Blue Blue Blue Note, Note, Note, Note, New New New New New Jersey Jersey Jersey Jersey Jersey Performing Performing Performing Performing Arts Arts Arts Arts Arts Center Center Center Center Dorthaan’s Place, Dizzy’s, and at Birdland with the Duke Dorthaan’s Place, Dizzy’s, and at Birdland with the Duke Dorthaan’s Dorthaan’s Dorthaan’s Dorthaan’s Dorthaan’s Place, Place, Place, Place, Dizzy’s, Dizzy’s, Dizzy’s, Dizzy’s, Dizzy’s, and and and and and at at at at Birdland Birdland Birdland Birdland with with with with with the the the the Duke Duke Duke Duke Ellington Band.

She has also performed extensively interEllington Band.

She has also performed extensively interEllington Ellington Ellington Ellington Ellington Band.

Band.

Band.

Band.

She She She She has has has has has also also also also also performed performed performed performed performed extensively extensively extensively extensively extensively interinterinterinternationally in conjunction with U.S. State Department tours. nationally in conjunction with U.S. State Department tours. nationally nationally nationally nationally nationally in in in in conjunction conjunction conjunction conjunction conjunction with with with with with U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. State State State State Department Department Department Department Department tours. tours. tours. tours.

During a special reception before the 9th Annual WomDuring special reception before the 9th Annual WomDuring During During During During aaaaspecial aspecial special special reception reception reception reception reception before before before before before the the the the 9th 9th 9th 9th Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual WomWomWomWomen’s History Month Jazz Concert, Ms. Montague was honen’s History Month Jazz Concert, Ms. Montague was honen’s en’s en’s en’s History History History History History Month Month Month MonthJazz Jazz Jazz Jazz JazzConcert, Concert, Concert, Concert, Concert,Ms. Ms. Ms. Ms.Montague Montague Montague Montague Montaguewas was was washonhonhonhon-

ored by Women in Media-Newark for Lifetime Lifetime Achievement Achievement ored by Women in Media-Newark for ored ored ored ored by by byby Women Women Women Women Women in in inin Media-Newark Media-Newark Media-Newark Media-Newark Media-Newark for for for for for Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime Achievement Achievement Achievement Achievement Achievement in Music and Service in Jazz.

Dr. Rochelle Hendricks, New in Music and Service in Jazz.

Dr. Rochelle Hendricks, New in in in in Music Music Music Music and and and and and Service Service Service Service in in in in Jazz.

Jazz.

Jazz.

Jazz.

Jazz.

Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Rochelle Rochelle Rochelle Rochelle Rochelle Hendricks, Hendricks, Hendricks, Hendricks, Hendricks, New New New New New Jersey secretary of Higher Education and Celia Celia King, King, chief chief Jersey secretary of Higher Education and Jersey Jersey Jersey Jersey secretary secretary secretary secretary secretary of of of of Higher Higher Higher Higher Education Education Education Education Education and and and and and Celia Celia Celia Celia Celia King, King, King, King, King, chief chief chief chief chief executive officer, Leadership Newark also received received awards. awards. executive officer, Leadership Newark also executive executive executive officer, officer, officer, Leadership Leadership Leadership Newark Newark Newark also also also received received received awards. awards. awards. executive officer, officer, Leadership Leadership Newark Newark also also received received awards. awards.

Women in Media-Newark and OUCP (Office of UniversiWomen in Media-Newark and OUCP (Office of UniversiWomen Women in in in Media-Newark Media-Newark Media-Newark and and and OUCP OUCP OUCP (Office (Office (Office of of of UniversiUniversiUniversiWomen Women in Media-Newark Media-Newark and and OUCP OUCP (Office (Office of of UniversiUniversity and Community Partnerships) sponsored the the reception. reception. ty and Community Partnerships) sponsored ty tyty and and and Community Community Community Partnerships) Partnerships) Partnerships) sponsored sponsored sponsored the the the reception. reception. reception. ty and Community Community Partnerships) Partnerships) sponsored sponsored the the reception. reception.

Women in Media—Newark Executive Director Pamela MorWomen in Media—Newark Executive Director Pamela MorWomen Women Women in in Media—Newark Media—Newark Media—Newark Executive Executive Executive Director Director Director Pamela Pamela Pamela MorMorMorWomen in in Media—Newark Media—Newark Executive Executive Director Director Pamela Pamela MorMorgan and Dr. Diane Hill, assistant chancellor Rutgers-NewRutgers-Newgan and Dr. Diane Hill, assistant chancellor gan gan gan and and Dr. Dr. Dr. Diane Diane Diane Hill, Hill, assistant assistant assistant chancellor chancellor chancellor Rutgers-NewRutgers-NewRutgers-Newgan and and Dr. Dr. Diane Hill, Hill, assistant assistant chancellor chancellor Rutgers-NewRutgers-Newark, hosted the event at the Paul Robeson Campus Campus Center, Center, ark, hosted the event at Paul Robeson ark, ark, ark, hosted hosted hosted the the the event event event at the the the Paul Paul Paul Robeson Robeson Robeson Campus Campus Campus Center, Center, Center, ark, hosted hosted the event at atatthe the the Paul Paul Robeson Robeson Campus Campus Center, Center, Rutgers University Newark.

Rutgers University Newark.

Rutgers Rutgers Rutgers University University University Newark.

Newark.

Newark.

Rutgers University University Newark.

Newark.

Folllowing the awards reception, The Antoinette Antoinette MonMonFolllowing the awards reception, The Folllowing Folllowing Folllowing the the the awards awards awards reception, reception, reception, The The The Antoinette Antoinette Antoinette MonMonMonFolllowing Folllowing the awards reception, reception, The The Antoinette Antoinette MonMontague Experience lit up the stage before an enthusiastic tague Experience lit up the stage before an enthusiastic tague tague tague Experience Experience Experience lit lit up up the the the stage stage stage before before before an an an enthusiastic enthusiastic enthusiastic tague Experience Experience lit lit up up the the stage stage before before an an enthusiastic enthusiastic intergenerational audience of more than than 300 300 jazz jazz aficionaaficionaintergenerational audience of intergenerational intergenerational intergenerational audience audience audience of ofmore of more more more than than than 300 300 300 jazz jazz jazz aficionaaficionaaficionaintergenerational intergenerational audience audience of of more more than than 300 300 jazz jazz aficionaaficionados.

Montague was accompanied by virtuoso instrumental dos.

Montague was accompanied by virtuoso instrumental dos. dos. dos.

Montague Montague Montague was was was accompanied accompanied accompanied by by by virtuoso virtuoso virtuoso instrumental instrumental instrumental dos.

Montague Montague was accompanied accompanied by by virtuoso virtuoso instrumental instrumental jazz pianist Danny Mixon, Melisa Slocum from from Broadway’s Broadway’s jazz pianist Danny Mixon, Melisa Slocum jazz jazz jazz pianist pianist pianist Danny Danny Danny Mixon, Mixon, Melisa Melisa Melisa Slocum Slocum Slocum from from from Broadway’s Broadway’s Broadway’s jazz pianist pianist Danny Mixon, Mixon, Melisa Melisa Slocum Slocum from from Broadway’s Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera on bass, Latin Grammy nominated Phantom of the Opera on bass, Latin Grammy nominated Phantom Phantom Phantom of of of the the the Opera Opera Opera on on bass, bass, bass, Latin Latin Latin Grammy Grammy Grammy nominated nominated nominated Phantom of of the Opera on on bass, bass, Latin Latin Grammy Grammy nominated nominated percussionist Bobby Sanabria on drums, drums, and and saxophonsaxophonpercussionist Bobby Sanabria on percussionist percussionist percussionist Bobby Bobby Bobby Sanabria Sanabria Sanabria on on on drums, drums, drums, and and and saxophonsaxophonsaxophonpercussionist percussionist Bobby Sanabria Sanabria on on drums, drums, and and saxophonsaxophonist Lakecia Benjamin.

Vocalists Kameelah Harper Harper and ist Lakecia Benjamin.

Vocalists Kameelah and ist ist ist Lakecia Lakecia Lakecia Benjamin.

Benjamin.

Benjamin.

Vocalists Vocalists Vocalists Kameelah Kameelah Kameelah Harper Harper Harper and and and ist Lakecia Lakecia Benjamin.

Vocalists Vocalists Kameelah Kameelah Harper Harper and Jackie Gage, and tap dancer A.C. Lincoln rounded rounded out outand the Jackie Gage, and tap dancer A.C. Lincoln the Jackie Jackie Jackie Gage, Gage, Gage, and and and tap tap tap dancer dancer dancer A.C. A.C. A.C. Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln rounded rounded rounded out out out the the the Jackie Gage, Gage, and tap dancer dancer A.C. A.C. Lincoln Lincoln rounded rounded out out the the “Experience.”

“Experience.”

“Experience.”

“Experience.”

“Experience.”

“Experience.”

“Experience.”

The evening’s hands down tour de force force was was Montague’s Montague’s The evening’s hands down tour de The The evening’s evening’s evening’s hands hands hands down down down tour tour tour de de de force force force was was was Montague’s Montague’s Montague’s The The evening’s evening’s hands down down tour tour de de force force was was Montague’s Montague’s inspired performance of her original work “Jazz Woman to to inspired performance of her original work “Jazz Woman inspired inspired inspired performance performance performance of of her her her original original original work work work “Jazz “Jazz “Jazz Woman Woman Woman toto inspired performance performance of of her her original original work work “Jazz “Jazz Woman Woman to toto the Rescue,” aa track from 2015 Children’s CD CD of of the the same the Rescue,” track from 2015 Children’s same the the the Rescue,” Rescue,” Rescue,” aatrack track atrack track from from 2015 2015 2015 Children’s Children’s Children’s CD CD CD of of of the the the same same same the Rescue,” Rescue,” a from from 2015 2015 Children’s Children’s CD CD of of the the same same name.

Montague delivered aa whimsical tribute to to jazz jazz greats greats name.

Montague delivered tribute name. name. name. name.

Montague Montague Montague Montague Montague delivered delivered delivered delivered aaafor awhimsical whimsical whimsical whimsical awhimsical whimsical tribute tribute tribute tribute tribute to toto to jazz jazz to jazz jazz jazz greats greats greats greats greats and heralded her passion supporting arts education and heralded her passion for supporting arts education and and and and heralded heralded heralded heralded heralded her her her her passion passion passion passion passion for for for for for supporting supporting supporting supporting supporting arts arts arts arts arts education education education education education and promoting the recycling of used musical musical instruments instruments and promoting the recycling of used and and and and promoting promoting promoting promoting promoting the the the the recycling recycling recycling recycling recycling of of of ofof used used used used used musical musical musical musical musical instruments instruments instruments instruments instruments for disenfranchised youth.

The apparently indefatigable for disenfranchised youth.

The apparently indefatigable for for for for disenfranchised disenfranchised disenfranchised disenfranchised disenfranchised youth. youth. youth. youth. youth.

The The The The The apparently apparently apparently apparently apparently indefatigable indefatigable indefatigable indefatigable indefatigable Montague is the CEO of the non-profit Jazz Woman Woman to to the the Montague is CEO of the non-profit Jazz Montague Montague Montague Montague is isisthe the is the the the CEO CEO CEO CEO of ofofof the the the the the non-profit non-profit non-profit non-profit non-profit Jazz Jazz Jazz Jazz Jazz Woman Woman Woman Woman Woman to toto to the the to the the the Rescue Foundation, established to support these goals.

Rescue Foundation, established to support these goals.

Rescue Foundation, Foundation, established established to to support support these these goals. goals.

Rescue Rescue Rescue Foundation, Foundation, Foundation, established established established to to to support support support these these these goals. goals. goals.

Ms. Montague’s performance motivated Media-Newark Media-Newark Ms. Montague’s performance motivated Ms. Ms. Montague’s Montague’s performance performance motivated motivated Media-Newark Media-Newark Ms. Ms. Montague’s Montague’s Montague’s performance performance performance motivated motivated motivated Media-Newark Media-Newark Media-Newark to invite her to perform at their 2019 Women’s History to invite her to perform at their 2019 Women’s History to to totoinvite invite invite inviteher her her her her to to toto perform perform perform perform at at atatat their their their their their 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 Women’s Women’s Women’s Women’s Women’s History History History History History Month Film Festival, an offer she joyfully accepted. accepted.

Month Film Festival, an offer she joyfully Month Film Film Festival, an an offer offer she she joyfully joyfully accepted. accepted.

Month Month Month Film Film Film Festival, Festival, Festival, an an offer offer offer she she she joyfully joyfully joyfully accepted. accepted. accepted.

For more information, visit her websites: antoinettemontague. antoinettemontague.

For more information, visit her websites: For For For For more more more more information, information, information, information, visit visit visit visit visit her her her her her websites: websites: websites: websites: websites: antoinettemontague. antoinettemontague. antoinettemontague. antoinettemontague. antoinettemontague. com, and jazzwomantotherescuefoundation.org. com, and jazzwomantotherescuefoundation.org. com, com, com, com, and and and and jazzwomantotherescuefoundation.org. jazzwomantotherescuefoundation.org. jazzwomantotherescuefoundation.org. jazzwomantotherescuefoundation.org. jazzwomantotherescuefoundation.org.

Lynn McFarlane, Marketing & & CommunicaCommunicaLynn McFarlane, Marketing Lynn Lynn Lynn Lynn McFarlane, McFarlane, McFarlane, McFarlane, McFarlane, Marketing Marketing Marketing Marketing Marketing &&&Communica& Communica& CommunicaCommunicaCommunication Program Manager, Rutgers School of tion Program Manager, Rutgers School of tion tion tion tion Program Program Program Program Program Manager, Manager, Manager, Manager, Manager, Rutgers Rutgers Rutgers Rutgers Rutgers School School School School School of ofof ofof Nursing, Antoinette Montague, Dr. Diane Hill, Nursing, Antoinette Montague, Dr. Diane Hill, Nursing, Nursing, Nursing, Nursing, Nursing, Antoinette Antoinette Antoinette Antoinette Antoinette Montague, Montague, Montague, Montague, Montague, Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Diane Dr. Diane Diane Diane Diane Hill, Hill, Hill, Hill, Hill, Rutgers-Newark-Assistant Chancellor for UniThe Antoinnette Montague Experience “Experience” dancer, A.C. Lincoln Rutgers-Newark-Assistant Chancellor for UniThe Antoinnette Montague Experience “Experience” dancer, A.C. Lincoln Rutgers-Newark-Assistant Rutgers-Newark-Assistant Rutgers-Newark-Assistant Rutgers-Newark-Assistant Rutgers-Newark-Assistant Chancellor Chancellor Chancellor Chancellor Chancellor for for for for UniUnifor UniUniUniThe The The The Antoinnette Antoinnette Antoinnette Antoinnette Antoinnette Montague Montague Montague Montague Montague Experience Experience Experience Experience Experience “Experience” “Experience” “Experience” “Experience” “Experience” dancer, dancer, dancer, dancer, A.C. A.C. A.C. A.C. Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln versity Partnerships, Dr. Rochelle Rochelle Hendricks, versity Partnerships, Dr. Hendricks, versity versity versity versity versity Partnerships, Partnerships, Partnerships, Partnerships, Partnerships, Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Rochelle Dr. Rochelle Rochelle Rochelle Rochelle Hendricks, Hendricks, Hendricks, Hendricks, Hendricks, Former NJ Secretary of Higher Education, Story Credits: Donita Devance-Manzini, Associate Director, Office of University-Community Partnerships, Former NJ Secretary of Higher Education, Story Credits: Donita Devance-Manzini, Associate Director, Office of University-Community Partnerships, Former Former Former Former Former NJ NJ NJ NJSecretary NJ Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary of of ofof Higher Higher of Higher Higher Higher Education, Education, Education, Education, Education, Story Story Story Story Credits: Credits: Credits: Credits: Credits: Donita Donita Donita Donita Devance-Manzini, Devance-Manzini, Devance-Manzini, Devance-Manzini, Devance-Manzini, Associate Associate Associate Associate Associate Director, Director, Director, Director, Office Office Office Office Office of of of ofUniversity-Community of University-Community University-Community University-Community University-Community Partnerships, Partnerships, Partnerships, Partnerships, Partnerships, Dr. Larry Leverett, former Executive Director Rutgers University-Newark and Habeebah Yasin, OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA Fellow Dr. Larry Leverett, former Executive Director Rutgers University-Newark and Habeebah Yasin, OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA Fellow Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Larry Larry Larry Larry Larry Leverett, Leverett, Leverett, Leverett, Leverett, former former former former former Executive Executive Executive Executive Executive Director Director Director Director Director Rutgers Rutgers Rutgers Rutgers Rutgers University-Newark University-Newark University-Newark University-Newark University-Newark and and and and and Habeebah Habeebah Habeebah Habeebah Habeebah Yasin, Yasin, Yasin, Yasin, Yasin, OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA Fellow Fellow Fellow Fellow for the Panasonic Foundation Photos Credits: Edwin Konadu, OUCP Student Intern, and Habeebah Yasin, OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA Fellow for the Panasonic Foundation Photos Credits: Edwin Konadu, OUCP Student Intern, and Habeebah Yasin, OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA Fellow for for for the the the the the Panasonic Panasonic Panasonic Panasonic Panasonic Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation Photos Photos Photos Photos Credits: Credits: Credits: Credits: Credits: Edwin Edwin Edwin Edwin Konadu, Konadu, Konadu, Konadu, Konadu, OUCP OUCP OUCP OUCP OUCP Student Student Student Student Student Intern, Intern, Intern, Intern, Intern, and and and and Habeebah Habeebah Habeebah Habeebah Habeebah Yasin, Yasin, Yasin, Yasin, OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA OUCP/AmeriCorps-VISTA Fellow Fellow Fellow Fellow Fellow for www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

49 June/July 2018 The The Positive Positive Community Community 49 June/July 2018 49 49 49 49 49 June/July June/July June/July June/July June/July 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 The The The The The Positive Positive Positive Positive Positive Community Community Community Community Community

East Meets West

T Photos: Bruce Moore

he Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Greater NY and Vicinity recently hosted the Newark Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Newark and Vicinity at Harlem’s Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. As is the tradition, the two clergy leadership organizations fellowship together twice annually. In May, they meet in Harlem; in October they meet again in Newark.

ABOVE: Newark leadership: Rev. James Bailey, 1st VP; Rev. Ileathern McLeod, 2nd VP; Pastor Bryant Ali, president NYC leaders: Rev. Dr. Charles Curtis, president; Rev. Geraldine Harris, 2nd VP; and Rev. Dr. Johnnie G. McCann, 1st VP

UMBA United Missionary Baptist Convention of NJ recently hosted 6th Semi Annual Session.

T

he session was hosted

by First Baptist Church of Teaneck, NJ, Rev. Dr. Marilyn Monroe Harris, pastor. Pictured: President Curry and his cabinet.

L–R: Rev. Vernon Miller, treasurer; Rev. Linwood McNeil, general secretary; Rev. Andre Milteer, second vice president; Rev. Dr Robert L. Curry, Convention president; Rev. Dr. Marilyn Harris, first vice president; Rev. Cedric McCoy, third vice president; Sister Shelley Washington, financial secretary

50

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892 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102

(973) 982-2249

“SOULFUL AND

HAGGAR'S HALAL KITCHEN HAGGAR'S Halal Kitchen COMFORT FOOD FOR THE SOUL SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH MD DINNER

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June/July 2018 The Positive Community

51

Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell’s 49th Pastoral Anniversary

E

vergreen Baptist Church of Palmyra, NJ celebrated the 49th Pastoral anniversary of Senior Pastor Guy Campbell on Sunday, April 22, 2018.

Photos: Karen Waters

Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell and First Lady Deaconess Dr. Dorothy Campbell with Pastor and guest preacher Rev. Dr. Milton L. Hendricks and First Lady Estelle of Faith Baptist Church, Pleasantville, NJ.

52

The Positive Community June/July 2018

Pastor and First Lady with Palmyra Mayor Hon. Michelle Arnold

www.thepositivecommunity.com

PATRICIA BALDWIN PATRICIA

BALDWIN

Brian BrianCourtney Courtney Wilson: Wilson: Wilson: AAGREAT GREATWORK WORK Grace & Peace Grace & Peace he Babyface andand balladeer of of gospel is isis back he Babyface and balladeer balladeer of gospel gospel back backagain again again with with a ten-track inspirational soundtrack a ten-track ten-track inspirational inspirational soundtrack soundtrackfor for foryour your your ® ®® -nominated singer/songwriter life. life.

ThisThis GRAMMY GRAMMY GRAMMY -nominated -nominated singer/songwriter singer/songwriter who who brought us favorites likelike “I’ll“I’ll Just Say Yes,” brought us favorites favorites like “I’ll Just Just Say Say Yes,” Yes,”“Worth “Worth “Worth Fighting For,”For,” andand “Just Love” hashas taken love songs Fighting “Just “Just Love” Love” has taken taken love love songs songscrecrecreas lessons life lessons for his his children children and and given given them them tous. us. us. ated ated as life for for his children and given them toto So with a silky reverberation reverberation in in his his voice voice and and a pure purelove love love So with a silky reverberation in his voice and a apure for God, Wilson spoken spoken true true confidence confidence into into our our lives lives for God, Wilson has has spoken true confidence into our lives with passion.

Bishop Bishop Hezekiah Hezekiah Walker Walker calls calls him him his his “fa“fawith passion. Bishop Hezekiah Walker calls him his “favorite,” but Brian is going going to to turn turn into into (if (if he’s he’s not not yet) yet) evevvorite,” but Brian is going to turn into (if he’s not yet) everybody’s favorite for for digging digging deep deep into into the the souls souls of of men men erybody’s favorite for digging deep into the souls of men all around the world. world.

He addresses addresses the challenges challenges ofour our our all around the world.

He He addresses thethe challenges ofof world’s issues, the apprehension apprehension of of our our nation, nation, and and perperworld’s issues, the apprehension of our nation, and personal subjects that relate relate to to us us all. all. sonal subjects that relate to us all.

Brian Courtney Wilson Wilson has has an an extreme extreme way way of of comcomBrian Courtney Wilsonofhas anwith extreme way and of comforting your moment moment of pain pain with agape agape love love and hope. hope. forting your of like painwhat withgospel agapemusic love and hope.

Now thatmoment may seem like what gospel music isis supposed supposed Now to that may seem like what gospel music is supposed do anyway, which which is is true. true. However, However, Mr. Mr. Wilson Wilson has has aa to dostyle anyway, true.

However, Mr.structure Wilson of has a that iswhich smoothisand and soothing soothing in in the the structure of R&B R&B style with that ais presence smooth and soothing in the structure of R&B of fervent fervent worship. worship. Examples Examples would would be be with the a presence fervent worship.

Examples beIsIs heartfelt of “Our Father Father Is Is Kind,” Kind,” and and “My “Mywould Witness Witness the heartfelt “Our Is collaborates Kind,” and with “Myanother WitnessgenIs in Heaven,” on Father which which he he collaborates with another gentle giant,on similar in he vocal vocal style—Pastor style—Pastor Marvin Marvin L. L. Winans Winans in Heaven,” which collaborates with another gen(whatsimilar a combination!). combination!). tle giant, in vocal style—Pastor Marvin L. Winans has contributed contributed to to almost almost all all of of the the writing writing on on (what aWilson combination!). this CD, additional additionaltosongs songs from from world-class contribcontribWilson haswith contributed almost all world-class of the writing on utorswith including Marvin Marvin Winans, Winans, V.world-class Michael Michael McKay, McKay, and and this CD, additional songs fromV. contribEric Dawkins.

A Great Great Work Work consists consists of of creative creative greats greats by by utors including Marvin Winans, V. Michael McKay, and GRAMMY-winning producers producers Aaron Aaron Lindsey, Lindsey, Luther Luther Eric Dawkins. A Great Work consists of creative greats by ‘Mano’ Hanes, Shaun Shaun Martin, Martin, and and MyBlock’s MyBlock’s Warryn Warryn GRAMMY-winning producers Aaron Lindsey, Luther Campbell. Involvement Involvement from from The The Soul Soul Seekers Seekerson on“Won’t “Won’t ‘Mano’ Hanes, Shaun Martin, and MyBlock’s Warryn Let Go” brings exactly exactly that—a that—a soul soul moving moving encourageencourageCampbell. Involvement from The Soul Seekers on “Won’t ment to never give up. up. Other Other selections selections like like “You “You Make Make Let Go” brings“One exactly that—a soul encourageMe Rich,” More More Praise,” Praise,” and andmoving “Increase “Increase My My Faith” Faith” mentare to word-inspired never give up.songs Otherthat selections like clapping, “You Make songs that have have hand hand clapping, joy joy Me Rich,” “One More Praise,” and “Increase My Faith” jumping flavor that you you can can smile smile to to as as you younod nod your your head head are word-inspired and groove to it.songs that have hand clapping, joy jumping flavor that you can smile to as you nod your head www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com and groove to it. www.thepositivecommunity.com

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dedicate this thisto toour ourfathers, fathers,forefathers, forefathers,and andyoung young II dedicate menwith with dreams and visions.forefathers, Youare arestanding standing ona a black black men dreams and visions.

You I dedicate this to our fathers, andon young foundation that despite many attempts and being shaken foundation that despite many attempts and being shaken black men with dreams and visions. You are standing on a fewtimes, times,that could notbe bebroken. broken.

Remember whoyou you are aafew could not Remember are foundation despite many attempts andwho being shaken in God; you are not your mistakes, you are not your sins, in God; you are not your mistakes, you are not your sins, a few times, could not be broken. Remember who you are you arenot notwhat what theworld worldmistakes, saysyou youare. are.

You are what and you are the says what and in God; you are not your youYou areare not your sins, who God God says says you youare; are;you youare areHis Hisworkmanship. workmanship.Black Black who you are not what the world says you are. You are what and men, stand stand up upin inGod—don‘t God—don‘tbe beweary wearyininwell welldoing… doing… men, who God says you are; you are His workmanship. Black Nevergive giveup upmy mybrothers, brothers,God Godisisdoing doingaagreat greatwork workinin Never men, stand up in God—don‘t be weary in well doing… you! you!

Never giveFather’s up my Day! brothers, doing a great work Happy Father’s Day!IIlove loveGod you,is Daddy (Ervin Bald-in Happy you, Daddy (Ervin C.C.Baldyou! win)and andI’m I’mso soproud proudof ofyou! you! win)

Happy Father’s Day! I love you, Daddy (Ervin C. Baldwin) and I’m so proud of you! Lillie Happy Happy Mother’s Mother’s Day, Day, Mommy—Elder Mommy—Elder LillieM. M.Baldwin!

Baldwin!

June/July 2018 2018 The The Positive Positive Community Community 53 Happy Mother’s Day,June/July Mommy—Elder Lillie M. Baldwin!

June/July 2018 The Positive Community 53

June/July 2018 The Positive Community

53

The Legacy... Former Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr., JD and his father, former Assemblyman Eldridge Hawkins, Sr. Esq.

THE NEWARK SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY FALL COURSES 2018

Eldridge Hawkins Jr., Juris Doctor Former Orange Mayor Receives Law Degree

THE OLD TESTAMENT: Part I Rev. Dr. Douglas Bendall, Ph.D.

Sept. 11 – Dec. 18 Tuesday 6:00 – 9:00 PM

BEGINNING BIBLICAL HEBREW Dr. Milton Eng, Ph.D.

Sept. 11 – Dec. 18 Tuesday 3:30 – 5:00 PM

How the Arc of the Universe Moves toward Justice Rev. Dr. Douglas Bendall, M.Div., Ph.D.

Sept. 12 – Dec. 19 Wednesday 6:00 – 9:00 PM

PASTORAL THEOLOGY Rev. Dr. Miguel A. Hernandez, D.Min.

Sept. 12 – Dec. 19 Wednesday 6:00 – 9:00 PM

THE NEW TESTAMENT Rev. Nicholas Johnson, Ph.D. (ABD)

Sept. 13 – Dec. 20 Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 PM

SPIRITUAL JOURNALING Ms. Mary Thurmond, Writer & Photographer

Sept. 13 – Dec. 20 Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 PM

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS THEOLOGY BIBLICAL STUDIES PASTORAL COUNSELING DIACONAL STUDIES CHAPLAINCY Classes taught by instructors with advanced degrees and doctorates from The Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley), Princeton Theological Seminary, Drew University, and The New York Theological Seminary.

Ms. Thurmond isa writer, publisher, and Lay-Theologian.

WE ARE NEWARK'S SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY! For more information: Contact: Admissions Office 201-407-4047 • nstnewark@aol.com

54

The Positive Community June/July 2018

F

ormer Orange Mayor Eldridge Hawkins Jr., who was New Jersey’s youngest mayor in 2008 when sworn in at the age of 27, wasted no time after leaving office in 2012.Upon completing his Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Seton Hall University in 2013, he went on to William Mitchell College of Law, now known as Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Minnesota, graduating in 2018 with a Juris Doctor Degree and an additional Health Care Compliance Law Certificate.

The son of Former Assemblyman Eldridge Hawkins, Sr. and Linda Cofer Hawkins, he seems to be following in his father’s footsteps, as both senior and junior have achieved elected office and obtained law degrees. The elder Hawkins is an attorney specializing in civil rights and employment law.

“When I served as a police officer and Mayor, one of my main focuses was to help people and fight for that which I thought was right and in the best interests of the people I represented, explained Hawkins, Jr. “Becoming an attorney is an extension of that mission. Having the opportunity to work alongside my father who was the founding president of the Garden State Bar Association and a source of great experience is a bonus.”

Hawkins, Jr., who had also been working as director of Policy, Operations, and Governmental Affairs for the NJ Department of State in the Christie Administration and briefly under Governor Murphy with the expanded responsibility of Legislative Liaison for the Department of State, is now the owner of Black Belt Security Investigations, LLC, which provides armed and unarmed guards throughout the state for commercial and private institutions. He has also become a seasoned “Crypto Currency” (Bitcoin, Ripple XRP etc.) investor and expert in the Blockchain space, and was a panelist recently at the Blockchain Nation Conference in Miami with anti-virus software creator John Mcafee, entrepreneur Daymond John of the TV show Shark Tank. He also advises blockchain related business startups. www.thepositivecommunity.com

New Newark Symphony Hall Elects Board Chairman New Executive Director Search Underway

K

nown to New Jersey audiences for his longterm work on television, hosting various parades, town hall meetings, TV specials, election coverage, and host of Meet the Leaders for 24 years, Alfred Bundy has been elected chairman of the Board of Directors of Newark Symphony Hall. Other Board members are Roosevelt Donat, Esq., 1st VP; Lt. Ronald S. Glover, 2nd VP; Marion Bolden, secretary; and Robert Provost, treasurer.

President of Alfred Bundy Productions, Al Bundy brings to the position more than 35 years experience as an educator, radio and television personality, multimedia producer, public relations expert, and community activist.

Newark Symphony Hall, home to the 2,800-seat Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall, is New Jersey’s oldest and largest showcase for the arts, education, and entertainment programming.

Bundy has garnered five Cable Awards for Programming Excellence (CAPE) and has been nominated for two American Cinema Editors (ACE) awards. He also serves as the marketing director of the Essex County Workforce Development Board.

A graduate of Montclair State University with a BA degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Services, he is certified in Gestalt Family Therapy and holds a certificate in TV Production from Rutgers University.

Bundy is the co-founder of the American Black Male Leadership Institute (abmli.com); president of Computers for Kidz (C4K), which provides free computers to youth in Newark; former president of the Essex County Board of Education; and a previous member of the Board of Trustees of Essex County College. As an Eli Lilly Foundation Fellow in Development, Al was vice president of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Hs wide-ranging professional assignments have included a 16-year stint as director of the PreMed, Pre Dental Program at Seton Hall University and chairman of the Board of Concerned Citizens at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (UMDNJ). www.thepositivecommunity.com

"It's really not about the role, it's about the goal,” remarked Chairman Bundy about his new position.

“I am honored to serve as the new chairperson of this historic landmark, Newark Symphony Hall. Our entire organization is challenged to provide meaningful programs and entertainment for our audiences as we continue to strive to be a valuable cultural asset to the Greater Newark community."

To that end, Newark Symphony Hall recently launched its search for a new executive director.

To learn more about the executive director position, qualifications, and application procedures, please visit www.artsconsulting.com/employment.

Visit For our

Summer Reading Book List Books off the beaten track that are interesting, Informative, fun and delightful.

Some old, some new.

June/July 2018 The Positive Community

55

Website

Always something going on!

P

ERRY

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REASONABLE At PERRY FUNERAL HOME EvEry FamIly Is aFForDED ThE samE CourTEous, DIGNIFIED, aND sympaThETIC uNDErsTaNDING

34 mercer street Newark, NJ 07103 • 973-824-9201 Mrs. Virginia Perry, President NJ Lic. No.3289 • Samuel C. Arnold, Manager NJ Lic. No. 3180 56

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MWANDIKAJI MWANDIKAJI MWANDIKAJI K. K. K. MWANAFUNZI MWANAFUNZI MWANAFUNZI THE WAY THE THE WAY WAY AHEAD AHEAD AHEAD

Positively Impacting East East New New York, Brownsville, and Beyond Beyond

“. . . The King will reply, ‘I‘I tell you the truth, whatever tell you the truth, whatever you you did did “.“.....The TheKing Kingwill willreply, reply, reply,‘I‘Itell tellyou youthe thetruth, truth,whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you for these brothers and sisters of mine, mine, you you did did for one one ofof the the least least ofof these these brothers brothers and and sisters sisters of did for me.’” —Matthew 25:40 (New International Version) for 25:40 (New International Version) forme.’” me.’”— —Matthew Matthew25:40 25:40(New (NewInternational InternationalVersion)

J

esus spoke those words, emphasizing that words, emphasizing that Christians Christians esus esus spoke spoke those those words, words, emphasizing emphasizing that Christians should help people in need. For decades, ministries people in need.

For decades, ministries ministries should should help help people people in in need. need. For For decades, based in Brooklyn’s historically impoverished BrownsBrooklyn’s historically impoverished Brownsbased basedin inBrooklyn’s Brooklyn’shistorically historicallyimpoverished impoverishedBrownsville and East New York neighborhoods have helped peoville York neighborhoods have helped helped peopeovilleand andEast EastNew NewYork Yorkneighborhoods neighborhoodshave ple in need with improved housing, combating drug and ple improved housing, combating drug and and plein inneed needwith withimproved improvedhousing, housing,combating combatingdrug alcohol addiction, improved relations between residents alcohol improved relations between residents residents alcohol addiction, addiction, improved improved relations relations between and police, and more. Much has been done, and much and Much has been done, and and much much and police, police, and and more. more. more. Much Much has has been been done, continues to be done. continues continuesto tobe bedone. done. done.

For decades, the organization known as East Brooklyn organization known as East East Brooklyn Brooklyn For Fordecades, decades,the theorganization organizationknown knownas Congregations (EBC) has been a prime initiator of the Congregations has been prime initiator of of the the Congregations (EBC) (EBC) (EBC) has has been been aaa prime prime initiator Nehemiah program, through which many units of ownNehemiah program, program, through through which which many Nehemiah through which many units units of of ownowner-occupied housing have been built on lots that were vaer-occupiedhousing housinghave havebeen beenbuilt builton er-occupied have been built on lots lots that that were were vavacant or occupied by deteriorated or substandard housing. cantor oroccupied occupiedby bydeteriorated deterioratedor orsubstandard substandardhousing. cant deteriorated or substandard housing.

Nehemiah developments are typically low-rise row housNehemiah developments developments are are typically typically low-rise Nehemiah developments are typically low-rise row row houshousing, and have enabled community residents to become ing, and and have have enabled enabled enabled community community residents residents to ing, community residents to become become homeowners and, hopefully, contribute to the communihomeownersand, and,hopefully, hopefully,contribute contributeto homeowners hopefully, contribute to the the communicommunity’s further enhancement and well-being. ty’sfurther furtherenhancement enhancementand andwell-being. well-being. ty’s enhancement and well-being.

While continuing to strive for development and mainWhile Whilecontinuing continuingto to tostrive strivefor fordevelopment developmentand strive for development and mainmaintenance of Nehemiah Housing, EBC is also pressuring tenance of of Nehemiah Nehemiah Nehemiah Housing, Housing, EBC EBC isis also tenance Housing, EBC also pressuring pressuring

www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

government agencies to improve living conditions inin government agencies to improve living conditions government government agencies agencies agencies to to to improve improve improve living living living conditions conditions conditions in in in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) apartment New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) apartment New New York York City City Housing Housing Housing Authority Authority Authority(NYCHA) (NYCHA) (NYCHA)apartment apartment apartment complexes (AKA projects”).

Many public housing complexes (AKA “the “the projects”).

Many public housing complexes complexes (AKA (AKA “the “the “the projects”). projects”). projects”). Many Many Manypublic public publichousing housing housing projects now contain rats and other slum-like conditions, projects now contain rats and other slum-like conditions, projects projectsnow nowcontain containrats rats ratsand and andother other otherslum-like slum-like slum-likeconditions, conditions, conditions, from which projects were intended totoresfrom whichpublic publichousing housing projects were intended resfrom fromwhich which public public housing housing housingprojects projects projectswere were wereintended intended intendedto to toresresrescue slum dwellers. cue slum dwellers. cue cueslum slumdwellers. dwellers.

Beyond and Brownsville, EBC is affiliBeyond East East New NewYork York and Brownsville, EBC affiliBeyond Beyond East East New New York York Yorkand and andBrownsville, Brownsville, Brownsville,EBC EBC EBCisisis isaffiliaffiliaffiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), which ated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), which ated ated with with the the Industrial Industrial IndustrialAreas Areas AreasFoundation Foundation Foundation(IAF), (IAF), (IAF),which which which does similar depressed or formerly dedoes similar work work in in other other depressed or formerly dedoes does similar similar work work in in other other other depressed depressed depressed or or or formerly formerly formerlydededepressed neighborhoods in the Greater New York area and pressed neighborhoods in the Greater New York area and pressed pressedneighborhoods neighborhoods neighborhoodsin in inthe the theGreater Greater GreaterNew New NewYork York Yorkarea area areaand and and other parts States. other partsof ofthe theUnited United States. other otherparts parts of of the the United United UnitedStates.

States.

States.

Churches affiliated with EBC have also strived totoimChurches affiliated with EBC have also strived imChurches Churches affiliated affiliated affiliatedwith with withEBC EBC EBChave have havealso also alsostrived strived strivedto to toimimimprove relations between neighborhood residents and prove relations between neighborhood residents and prove prove relations relations between between between neighborhood neighborhood neighborhood residents residents residents and and and local police For example, St. Paul Community local policeprecincts. precincts.

For example, St. Paul Community local local police police precincts. precincts. precincts.For For Forexample, example, example,St. St. St.Paul Paul PaulCommunity Community Community Baptist Church (SPCBC) aafew years ago organized oneBaptist Church (SPCBC) few years ago organized oneBaptist Baptist Church Church (SPCBC) (SPCBC) (SPCBC)aaafew few fewyears years yearsago ago agoorganized organized organizedoneoneoneon-one conversations between male members of the conon-one conversationsbetween between male members of the conon-one on-oneconversations conversations between betweenmale male malemembers members membersof of ofthe the theconconcongregation and officers ofofthe local precinct. gregation andmale malepolice police officers the local precinct. gregation gregationand and male male police police policeofficers officers officersof of ofthe the thelocal local localprecinct. precinct. precinct.

SPCBC’s number ofofmale members inSPCBC’srelatively relativelylarge large number male members inSPCBC’s SPCBC’s relatively relatively large large largenumber number numberof of ofmale male malemembers members membersininincludes current and retired police officers, current and cludes current retired police policeofficers, officers,current currentand and cludes current and and retired retired police officers, current and retired officers, retiredcorrection officers,ex-convicts, ex-convicts,rehabilitated rehabilitateddrug drug retired correction correctionofficers, officers, ex-convicts, ex-convicts, rehabilitated rehabilitated drug drug addicts, civil servants, educators, business addicts, civil educators,business businessprofessionals, professionals, addicts, civil servants, servants, servants, educators, educators, business professionals, professionals, construction unemployed construction workers, unemployed men, men, and and others. others. construction workers, workers, workers, unemployed unemployed men, men, and and others. others.

Within SPCBC, these diverse men typically get WithinSPCBC, diversemen mentypically typicallyget getalong alongwith with Within SPCBC,these thesediverse diverse men typically get along along with with each as Christian brothers. eachother brothers.“Growing “Growingin inthe thepower power each other other as as Christian Christian Christianbrothers. brothers.

“Growing “Growing in in the the power power of resurrected Christ” of the Christ”is isthe thestandard standardanswer answerwhen whenaaaa of the the resurrected resurrected Christ” Christ” isis the the standard standard answer answer when when person at SPCBC is asked, “How are you doing?” personat asked,“How “Howare areyou youdoing?” doing?” person atSPCBC SPCBCisisasked, asked, “How are you doing?”

When SPCBC conducts its annual Palm Sunday walk conductsits itsannual annualPalm PalmSunday Sundaywalk walk When When SPCBC SPCBC conducts conducts its annual Palm Sunday walk through the streets of East New York, typically police ofthrough the EastNew NewYork, York,typically typicallypolice policeofofthrough the streets streets of of ofEast East New York, typically police officers cordially monitor vehicular traffic, while walking ficers cordially monitor vehicular vehicular traffic, traffic,while whilewalking walking ficers cordially monitor monitor vehicular traffic, while walking church members amiably interact with the officers, each churchmembers amiablyinteract interactwith withthe theofficers, officers,each each church members amiably amiably interact with the officers, each other, and spectators on the sidewalks and streets. other,and onthe thesidewalks sidewalksand andstreets. streets. other, andspectators spectatorson on the sidewalks and streets.

During the third week of September of each year, week of of September September of of each each year, year, During During the the third third week week of September of each year, St. Paul Community Baptist Church presents the Maafa St. Paul BaptistChurch Churchpresents presentsthe theMaafa Maafa St. Paul Community Community Baptist Baptist Church presents the Maafa Commemoration, which recounts the horrors of the transCommemoration,which recountsthe thehorrors horrorsof ofthe thetranstransCommemoration, which whichrecounts recounts the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade and of chattel slavery in the Western atlantic slave trade trade and and andof of chattel slavery in the Western atlantic slave ofchattel chattelslavery slaveryin inthe theWestern Western Hemisphere. “Maafa” is a Swahili word that means “great Hemisphere.

“Maafa”isis isaaaSwahili Swahili word that means “great Hemisphere.“Maafa” Swahiliword wordthat thatmeans means“great “great suffering.” suffering.” suffering.”

SPCBC’s intense community activism and its Maafa SPCBC’s SPCBC’s intense intense community community activism and its Maafa community activism activism and and its itsMaafa Maafa Commemoration began under its former pastor, Rev. JohnCommemoration began under under its former pastor, Rev. JohnCommemorationbegan underits itsformer formerpastor, pastor,Rev. Rev.JohnJohnny Ray Youngblood, and have continued under the curny Ray Youngblood, Youngblood, and and have continued under the curny Ray andhave havecontinued continuedunder underthe thecurcurrent pastor, Rev. David K. Brawley. Let’s pray their good rent pastor, Rev. Rev. David David DavidK. K. Brawley.

Let’s pray their good rent pastor, K.Brawley.

Brawley.Let’s Let’spray praytheir theirgood good works in the community shall continue and bear fruit, works in the the community community shall continue and bear fruit, works in community shall shall continue continueand andbear bearfruit, fruit, as well. as well. aswell.

June/July 2018 The Positive Community 57 57 June/July June/July June/July2018 2018 2018 The The ThePositive Positive PositiveCommunity Community Community 57 June/July 2018 The Positive Community 57

GOOD GOOD NEWS NEWS FROM FROM THE THE CHURCH CHURCH AND AND COMMUNITY COMMUNITY GOOD NEWS FROM THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

™ ™ ™ ™ thepositivecommunity.com thepositivecommunity.com thepositivecommunity.com June/July 2018 Vol. 18, No. 9 June 20182018

Vol. June/July Vol.18 18, No. No. 59 Publisher Publisher Publisher Adrian A. Council, Sr. Adrian A. Council, Sr. Adrian A. Council, Sr. Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Jean Nash Wells Jean Nash Wells Associate EditorWells Jean Nash Associate Editor R. L. Witter R.Associate L. Witter Editor

BY

BY R.L. R.L. WITTER WITTER

SHOW SHOW THEM THEM WHAT WHAT YOU’RE WORKING YOU’RE WORKING WITH WITH

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R. L. Witter Sales Sales Angela Ridenour Angela Ridenour Sales Adrian Council, Jr. Adrian Council, Jr. Angela Ridenour NGS Communications, Inc. NGS Communications, Inc. Adrian Satori MPR Council, Jr. Satori MPR Marc Williams Marc Williams Marc Williams

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Contributing Writers Contributing Writers Satori MPR Mwandikaji K. Mwanafunzi Mwandikaji K. Mwanafunzi g.r. mattox Contributing Writers g.r. mattox Patricia Baldwin Patricia Baldwin Patricia Baldwin Rev. Theresa Nance Rev. TheresaCadogan Nance Glenda Glenda Cadogan Glenda Cadogan Helene Helene Fox Fox Helene Fox Rev. Dr. Joanne Noel Fern Gillespie Rev. Dr. Joanne Noel

g.r. mattox

Photographers Photographers Mwandikaji K. Mwanafunzi Bob Gore Bob Gore Rev. Theresa Nance Wali A. Muhammad Wali A. Muhammad Seitu Oronde Photographers Seitu Oronde Rev. Dr. William L. Watkins, Jr. Rev. Dr. William L. Watkins, Jr. Vincent Bryant Darryl Hall Darryl Hall Risasi Dias Vincent Bryant Vincent Bryant Regina Flemming Hubert Williams Hubert Williams Brian Branch Price Bob Gore Brian Branch Price Karen Waters Karen Waters Bruce Moore

Wali Amin&Muhammad Art Direction Layout Art Direction & Layout Seitu Oronde Penguin Design Group Penguin Design Group Martin Maishman Karen Waters Martin Maishman

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Production Assistant Production Assistant ArtDavis Direction April April Davis

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58 The Positive Community 58 58 The The Positive Positive Community Community

The Last Word

June/July 2018 June/July June/July 2018 2018

t’s t’s time time to to take take aa look look in in the the mirror. mirror.

We are living in a society We are living in a society where where we we seem seem to to place place paramount paramount imporimportance tance upon upon how how we we look, look, how how we we prespresent ourselves to the public.

How ent ourselves to the public. How much much time time do do we we spend spend on on Instagram, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Facebook, Snapchat and other other social social media media platforms? platforms? And And let’s let’s be be honest, honest, we’re we’re not not sharing sharing photos photos of of our our failfailings and flaws.

We’re carefully ings and flaws. We’re carefully curatcurating ing exhibitions exhibitions of of selfies selfies taken taken to to show show off our best side, our flawless makeup, off our best side, our flawless makeup, the the expensive expensive meal meal we’re we’re eating, eating, or or the places we’re traveling. the places we’re traveling.

But But what what do do those those things things really really reveal about us?

Sure, they reveal about us? Sure, they depict depict our our physical physical beauty, beauty, our our financial financial status, status, and and the the fact fact that that we we own own passports. passports. But But what do these things say what do these things say about about us us as as people people and and more more importantly, importantly, as as peopeople ple of of faith? faith? Are Are we we showcasing showcasing our our faith and good works? faith and good works? Are Are we we putting putting our our values values on on display? display? Are Are we we showing showing the world our deepest held the world our deepest held beliefs beliefs and and the the content content of of our our hearts? hearts?

Samuel Samuel 16:7 16:7 reminds reminds us, us, “But “But the the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look look on on his his appearance appearance or or on on the the height height of of his his stature, stature, because because II have have rejected rejected him. him.

For the Lord sees not For the Lord sees not as as man man sees: sees: man man looks looks on on the the outward outward appearappearance, ance, but but the the Lord Lord looks looks on on the the heart.’”

As people of faith, heart.’” As people of faith, we we can can adorn adorn ourselves ourselves in in our our “Sunday “Sunday best” best” or wear our most beautiful or wear our most beautiful headscarf, headscarf, or or finest finest yarmulke. yarmulke. But But do do those those things things increase our faith in any way? increase our faith in any way? Do Do they they show show the the world world our our devotion devotion to to Our Our Father?

Father? Do Do they they earn earn us us God’s God’s favor favor or or aa place place in in heaven? heaven? To To be be frank, frank, no; no; they they don’t. don’t.

Nor Nor do do they they prove prove our our piety, piety, kindkindness, wisdom, or love.

We might ness, wisdom, or love. We might like like to to think think our our words words prove prove those those things, things,

but but in in reality, reality, only only our our actions actions and and do. deeds And it’s not necessarily deeds do. And it’s not necessarily the the big big things things we we do, do, but but the the small small ones ones done done from from our our hearts, hearts, without without an an audience, without thought audience, without thought of of recireciprocity procity or or repayment. repayment. It’s It’s the the kind kind word we give a neighbor or word we give a neighbor or stranger, stranger, the the care care we we take take with with children children and and the elderly.

It’s how we the elderly. It’s how we react react when when we’re we’re questioned questioned or or challenged. challenged. It’s It’s how we choose to speak how we choose to speak or or not not speak speak to to people people in in our our lives. lives.

Lately, some Lately, some people people have have tried tried to to appropriate biblical verse to appropriate biblical verse to justify justify cruel cruel and and un-Christian un-Christian immigration immigration and deportation and deportation policies. policies. Those Those of of us us who know God’s word know better. who know God’s word know better.

We We know know Jesus Jesus told told his his disciples, disciples, “By “By this all men will know that this all men will know that you you are are My My disciples, disciples, if if you you have have love love for for one one another.” another.” We We also also know know it it will will be be our our actions and not our appearances actions and not our appearances that that hold hold the the powers powers that that be be responsible, responsible, and that inaction in the and that inaction in the face face of of evil evil is is tantamount to complicity with tantamount to complicity with the the oppressors oppressors or or evil-doers. evil-doers.

People of People of faith faith were were integral integral to to the the Civil Rights Movement and Civil Rights Movement and every every other other effort effort to to tilt tilt America America toward toward justice.

Let’s begin our justice. Let’s begin our journey journey to to the the right hand of God by being on right hand of God by being on the the right right side side of of history. history. Show Show your your faith, faith, and your love. and your love.

thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com thepositivecommunity.com

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Brothers Brothersand andSisters, Sisters, Brothers and Sisters, I stand York I standbefore beforeyou youasasa proud a prouddaughter daughterofofNew New Yorkand andeven evenmore moreproud proudasasthethedaughter daughterofofextraordinary extraordinary Ipublic stand before you as a proud daughter of New York and even more proud as the daughter of extraordinary public servants.They are my parents, former New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur O.O.Eve servants. They are my parents, former New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur Eveand and public servants.They are my parents, former New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve and women’s women’srights rightsactivist activistand andeducator educatorConstance ConstanceB.B.Eve. Eve. women’s rights activist and educator Constance B. Eve. I am York I amasking askingforforyour yoursupport supporttotobebeelected electedthethenext nextNew New YorkState StateAttorney AttorneyGeneral.

General.

I am asking for your support to be elected the next New York State Attorney General.

I have I havebeen beenblessed blessedtotohave haveserved servedasascounsel counseltotoU.S. U.S.Senators SenatorsJoeJoeBiden Bidenand andHillary HillaryClinton, Clinton,asaswell wellasas have been blessed to have served as counsel to U.S. Senators Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, as well as theIthe chief economic development advisor to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. chief economic development advisor to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. the chief economic development advisor to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

I have I havededicated dedicatedmymyentire entirelegal legalcareer careertotochampioning championingand andadvancing advancingthetherights rightsofofwomen, women,fighting fightingforfor I have dedicated my entire legal career to championing and advancing the rights of women, fighting for thethedisenfranchised, disenfranchised,protecting protectingthethevulnerable, vulnerable,and anddefending defendingeconomic economicand andeducational educationalopportunities opportunities disenfranchised, protecting the vulnerable, and defending economic and educational opportunities forthe forall.all. for all.

New Yorkers Trump New Yorkersnow nowface facea apivotal pivotalmoment, moment,with withrelentless relentlessattacks attacksfrom fromthethe TrumpAdministration Administrationtrying tryingtoto New Yorkers now face a pivotal moment, with relentless attacks from the Trump Administration to undermine underminesosomany manyofofthetherights rightsthat thatwewehold holddear. dear.WeWeneed needtotoprotect protectthetheprogress progressthat thatwewe- and -trying andour our undermine sograndparents many of the that so wesohard hold We need to protect the progress that we - and our parents - have parentsand andgrandparents - rights havefought fought hardtodear. toachieve. achieve. parents and grandparents - have fought so hard to achieve.

I stand I standasasa asteady steadyhand handand andfierce fierceadvocate advocatetotodefend, defend,protect, protect,and andempower empoweryou youasasyour yourAttorney Attorney I stand as a steady hand and fierce advocate to defend, protect, and empower you as yourstronger Attorney General.

York General.I would I wouldbebehonored honoredtotobebeyour yourvoice voicetotoensure ensureour ourcommunities communitiesand andNew New Yorkbecome become stronger General.

I would be honored to be your voice to ensure our communities and New York become stronger than ever. than ever. than ever.

60

The Positive Community June/July 2018

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