Mayor Adams Recognizes the Contributions of Immigrants at CGI 2022 Meeting

Mayor Eric Adams Recognizes the Contributions of Immigrants at CGI 2022 Meeting

Thank you, thank you so much. And to my fellow mayors that are here as well, this engaging conversation… Welcome to the city. We only have one request of you and that is spend money, spend money, spend a lot of money. I was reading the board as I was sitting here and the answer I believe to the question is the last comment. The refugee crisis… I see it as refugee opportunities. And oftentimes it's about how do we look at the problems that are facing us. Yesterday I was at one of the events and I shared my days of… My family is from Alabama and we have a large farm there with over 100 acres. And from time to time I would go down and play the farmer, getting out of the city environment. And while I was there one day, the tractor broke down that we moved hay from one side of the farm to the next. And I connected a motorcycle to the wagon and drove it over to the other part of the farm. Why is that important? I learned that from Cambodia. They don't have a lot of cars, they use something called tuk-tuk. And I was able to solve a problem because I was able to take the cultural norm of another place on the globe and see how do I use it to identify a problem that's here? In order to solve global problems, we must have global tables. If the people sitting around the table to solve the problems of the future all look the same, talk the same, went to the same schools, speak the same language, eat the same food, do the same things. Then you're going to have a local solution and it's not going to impact the global problem. Our refugees that are now coming to our cities from all across the globe, 50 percent of the population are living in cities. Those refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, they're going to bring something to our cities. And the answers to the questions clearly lies in the cities. Cities have to deal with the national problem. I walked down the hall today, someone is not going to stop a president and tell him about the failure of garbage pickup. They’re gonna talk to the mayor. We are closest to the problem and we are closest to the solutions. But the solutions must come from a diverse environment. Take a recognition of running this event today. Not only listen to the speakers, but turn on your observation cap. Look at who's serving us. Many of them are first and second generation New Yorkers, coming from somewhere. Walk into your hospitals during COVID. Look at who took care of every New Yorker. Overwhelmingly our nurses and our doctors, many of them are foreign born but came here and stated they want to participate in the American dream and experience. Look at who serves your Uber Eats in your cities. Listen to their dialect and their language. Acknowledge them not only for the delivery of what you asked for, but acknowledge them to see the diversity of who they are. Walk into your restaurants and peek inside the kitchen. Look at the face of your waiter. That's where we are. You extract the refugees, the immigrant population, the migrants, asylum seekers. You extract them from our cities and you will find out our cities will collapse. It's not so much they need us. We need them. We need them. And in the midst of COVID, in the midst of COVID, when third, fourth, fifth generation New Yorkers were remotely working, first generation, undocumented, recently arrivals were not home social distancing. They were making sure that you can social distance. And so when people say to them, our new arrivals, our brothers and sisters from across the globe no matter what city in America. We’ve all came from somewhere. I know it’s hard to believe. We’ve all did. And so whenever someone says go back to your country, they should say “We will when you go back to yours.” So as we embrace this dialogue, as we talk about the opportunities, it's right in front of us. The opportunity is being inclusive. That is why New York City is embracing our brothers and sisters that are coming from parts of the country to participate in the American dream. And that is why if you're from another country, embrace those who are bringing their ideas. Cities and countries will be left behind if they are not embracing the ideas of the new cultures that would sit around the table and participate in dealing with these international and global problems. COVID was a wake up call for us. The globe came together and say how do we find a vaccine? And because of that global participation we were able to save lives, we were able to find answers. So the COVID of housing, the COVID of ending sex trafficking, the COVID of ending homelessness, the COVID of ending inequalities in healthcare, the COVID of ending how we treat our women across the globe. The COVID crises that we're facing just as we came together to find a medical solution, we can come together and find a global solution of those problems that are facing us. From climate to the climate that we bring in the room on how we treat each other. I'm excited about where we’re going, I'm excited about what we're doing. And the answer lies, in the end of the sentence, our refugees. Thank you very much.l

Mayor Eric Adams. Editorial credit: lev radin TEAM My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6

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AM Brian Cunningham/ continued from page 1 Assemblymember Brian Cunningham on his mission and views about pertinent issues in the community he represents and beyond.

The State Legislator Cunningham projects a leader convinced that there is an urgent need for action. He said, "Dr. Martin Luther King had a phrase talking about the fierce urgency of the moment. One of those moments is now when you think about the recent shootings in Buffalo, Texas, and Philadelphia this past weekend. There is a sense that we must act quickly as legislators and people who care about communities. " He can also be described as a "community servant." He has almost two decades of service in a job he got into by chance. He revealed that the desire to discover who made decisions on public policy in schools led him to politics. "I remember when I first got involved in politics, I did not incline to want to do politics. I worked at a high school and wanted to find out who made decisions on public policy for schools. Found out it was state lawmakers 160 miles away in Albany." Thus, his journey started from an internship to become a special assistant to a politician. He was then deputy chief of staff and city council chief of staff before leading into his present position as a state legislator—all the while serving the people. "I was trying to figure out how to solve problems, then realized that policymakers had the capacity. Not only to affect one block, school, community but to reflect a state, became this journey and this hunger to want to do this."

Addressing the Concerns of Immigrant Communities in District 43 While there are several concerns within the immigrant communities, Cunningham says he intends to focus on promoting policies to improve three significant areas of priority: •Housing challenges for renters and homeowners: "Housing is a huge thing in our community. We've seen rents increase by over 90% in the last few years. So, it's becoming more expensive to live in that community. Property taxes are going up whether you're a renter or a homeowner." •He also intends to support economic development through capital accessibility, "In a heavily dense Caribbean and black American community, we have a lot of people who are entrepreneurs. But they don't have access to capital to start their businesses. I think unleashing that capital to help them kick start that innovation is essential.” •A third priority is addressing the public health crisis by supporting the building of top-notch health facilities within the communities." Over the last two years, Covid-19 ravaged our communities. But now, we are focusing on getting people to a strong health baseline. Health care facilities like Downstate and Kings County will be 21st-century hospitals to help address some of these issues, both in wellness and care."

Criminal Justice Reform He shared his thoughts on other topics like criminal justice reform. Cunningham recalled his journey into a subject he spent over five years exploring before becoming a state legislator. He talked about his work at Save Our Streets Brooklyn before moving on to the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, where he developed a better understanding of how to approach the issue. "I'm excited about that work because it gives me a lens on what kind of reforms are needed. People often look at criminal justice reform and conflate that with disregarding public safety. That is far from the truth." Instead, he sees it as enforcing accountability in the right situation while giving others of less magnitude a second chance at doing right. "We ought to hold violent offenders accountable, but we also should give grace to people who've made mistakes in their youth or even as adults. We can delete those records that are not productive to who they are now after rehabilitation,” he said. Another area of passion is caring about the seniors, especially as they fall within his district. "The 43rd Assembly District is positioned to be a naturally occurring aging community. So, we should ensure that we provide more senior housing, and we haven't had enough food assistance for seniors, particularly with increasing grocery prices. So those are things that my office is working on." He is strongly advocating alleviating their housing burden and mitigating the effect of inflation on their nutrition. "There are so many seniors who don't have children who are in a position to help because they're also rent-burdened. We must do more to provide resources for our seniors. Particularly on housing, which takes 50 to 60% of most people's incomes, salaries, pensions, or their Social Security," he explained. Cunningham applauded the role of the New York Attorney General in protecting many seniors from defrauders and predators in the community. "The Attorney General, Letitia James, has been doing a phenomenal job leading the charge on that and making sure that seniors become victims of deed thefts in Brooklyn." In closing, Cunningham promised to continue to humbly serve his constituents of the 43rd District.l

Listen to Assemblymember Brian Cunningham’s interview at www.pppradio.nyc

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Buying a Short Sale House

It seems like many people have heard the term “short sale,” but few know what it really is. If the idea of pursuing a short sale house intrigues you, you’re not alone. Short sales can result in bargains for buyers, but the process takes patience. The personal financial website, Bankrate, defines a short sale this way: A short sale is when a house is sold for less than what the homeowner owes on it, and the lender or lenders don’t get all their money back. Short sales only occur with the lender’s permission when a home’s value has declined and the mortgage holder owes more than the home is worth. The homeowner not only has no equity, but in fact has negative equity. Because the market is flooded with short sales, there’s a good chance you’ll run across more than a few anywhere in the U.S. But because the negotiations take time, many find the process — which typically takes four to six months — stressful to endure. However, if you possess the right amount of fortitude, buyers can reap great rewards from a short sale. It’s wise to remember than simply because a seller isn’t profiting from the sale doesn’t mean they’ll take the first offer that comes along. Bidding wars often erupt before an agent can present the seller with the best offer. Top dollar doesn’t always rule the day either, as terms and financing play an important role. While you can wind up with a great home at below market value, there are downsides to short sales. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, also known as Freddie Mac, outlined these pitfalls to consider before deciding to bid on a short sale: Short sales may take longer to close. Lien-holders may need to approve the short sale and that takes time, so if buyers are on a timetable, a short sale may not be ideal. Short sale properties are often sold on an as-is basis, meaning the sellers won’t make any repairs to the property. The buyer may also incur higher closing costs because the approving lender usually won’t pay for any extras, like inspections. Sellers may have to pay money at closing or agree to an unsecured debt to have the sale approved. If the seller balks, the sale may still fall through.

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The Immigrant's Journal Celebrates 25 Years: Countdown Begins with FREE Immigration Boot Camp

Over the years, immigrants have been demonized, especially during President Trump's administration. Recently, the Texas State Governor, Gregory Abbott, exhibited deplorable behavior by sending many immigrants to New York and other states on buses. Other Republican governors have since joined him. The ongoing inhumane treatment of immigrants has made them desperate for legalization while striving to survive and feed their families. These have exposed them to fraudulent schemes run by criminals who steal from them. In some cases, they are caught and sentenced to prison. District Attorney Alvin Bragg says it is one of the issues his office will be "invested in doing more of in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office." Immigrants who seek to adjust their immigration status can be at risk of being scammed by companies or individuals who provide unauthorized and fraudulent immigration services. Unscrupulous individuals prey on immigrants knowing they are vulnerable and fear complaining to authorities. The immigrant community is a fragile one. Brian Figeroux of the Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates who has been practicing immigration law for almost 25 years and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA shared the following: "When people come to the office with immigration issues, it's a painful situation. If they have been taken advantage of and defrauded, they've been here for many years, undocumented, and exploited by their employers or fellow people from their own community. So, yes, pain is a common thing." The Immigrant's Journal, founded in 1998, is about to celebrate 25 years of serving the immigrant community. The Journal proudly offers a FREE 5-week Immigration Boot Camp: An Introduction to US Immigration Law to start the celebrations. Over the five weeks, the topics are as follows:

Week 1, Sept 29: A History of US Immigration from 1869 to 2022. Why Congress Cannot Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Lobbying Techniques Week 2, Oct 6: Paths to Legalization for Entries in the US With or Without Inspection

Week 3, Oct 13: Consequences of Criminal Activities and Defenses for Deportation

Week 4, Oct 20: Immigration Fraud: Consequences and Solutions

Week 5, Oct 27: Malpractice or Fraud: Lawyers, Notaries and Form Fillers

There will be special presentations from The Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates (AsktheLawyer.us), representatives from the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Manhattan and Brooklyn District Attorneys' Offices, and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. The Boot Camp starts on Thursday, September 29 to October 27, on consecutive Thursdays at 6pm. Sessions are via Zoom. Interested persons can register at immigrationseminar.eventbrite.com l

Thursday, Sept 29-Oct 27 from 6pm via Zoom

Marcus Garvey/ continued from page 1 a deranged racist massacred nine congregants at a Charleston church. Listeners to her program responded by registering 500,000 signatures Gov. Nikki Haley could not ignore. Within two weeks the offensive banner was removed. For Garvey’s 135th birthday anniversary the radio personality decided on revisiting the process of exoneration Cong. Charles B. Rangel introduced in the House of Representatives in 2004, and one President Barack Obama failed to deliver throughout eight years of leadership. Using her self-titled, thought-provoking talk show platform, Hunter invited filmmaker Roy T. Anderson to promote his 85-minute documentary titled “African Redemption: The Life and Legacy of Marcus Garvey.” On the show, Anderson revealed how J. Edgar Hoover toiled to malign the reputation of the Jamaican immigrant who dared to change the mindset of Black Americans. Although primarily a stuntman/actor, Anderson said he was convinced to make the film by Garvey’s youngest son Julius who endeared him to collaborate. Allegedly, Dr. Julius Garvey first made the proposition in 2013 while Anderson found himself knee-deep in completing his second film “Nanny: Queen of the Maroons” the follow-up to the docudrama “Akwantu.” Himself of maroon descent, the Ridge Pen, St. Elizabeth native said at the time he was overwhelmed with depicting the true story of the fierce Africans who challenged the British Army. However, when that document rapped, he pondered the idea, and with great compulsion to honor the Garveys he embarked on attempting to redeem the life and legacy of a misrepresented national. Also, that the son of the legend would entrust confidence in his ability factored with influencing his decision to delve into another project. Soon after making his decision, Anderson embarked on an intense expedition to unearth untold information about the visionary. He traveled to Ghana, Jamaica and Central America and wherever archives provided amplification of his revelations. He spoke with Samia Nkrumah, daughter of Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah, Ilyassah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, Samad Matias, Barbara Blake Hannah, Prof. Carolyn Cooper, Sir Hillary Beckles, actors Danny Glover and Louis Gossett, Olympian Usain Bolt, poet Mutabaruka, Sean Paul, Chronixx, Sister Carol, Queen Mother Marianne Samad, scholars, politicians, intellectuals and benefactors of the life and legacy of Marcus Garvey. “For all his greatness, Marcus Garvey has often been portrayed as a caricature, and someone marginalized in history,” Anderson said. “Foremost in our minds was telling a story of this oft-misunderstood man, in a way that that was not objective and balanced but insightful and engaging. He may not be the most famous Jamaica (that title goes to iconic reggae singer Bob Marley). But who would have thought that this simple country boy, born almost 50 years after

Marcus Garvey: National Heroes’ Park (Kingston, Jamaica) slavery was abolished in the British colonies, would go on to provide the most comprehensive blueprint for the liberation of his people…” Throughout a solid eight months he invested time and his own finances to help in portraying an honest document he hopes will redeem the reputation of the revered Jamaican role model. Garvey died in 1940. In the film, Anderson asks intellectuals, entertainers, advocates and his surviving son to explain the psyche of the visionary whose dream was to reverse the mindset of a population dominated by negative perspectives of their heritage. The fact that Garvey met with members of the Ku Klux Klan or that Malcolm X’s parents filed an appeal to President Calvin Coolidge for Garvey’s release from prison after he was convicted of mail fraud may not be common knowledge. His “One Aim, One Destiny,” mantra directly spoke to his mission of uniting Africans dispersed throughout the global communities and resonates with action from Hunter, Anderson and legions of Garvey’s admirers. They believe his words mattered particularly when he said: “Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will.” Hunter’s petition drive can be accessed at #freemarcusgarvey campaignl

The original article first appeared on Jamaicans.com.This is an excerpt. Read the full story at cawnyc.com