Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 177

CARICOM Heads Declare Crime and Violence a Public Health Issue

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago held a Regional Symposium addressing Crime and Violence as a Public Health Issue, from April 17-18, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency, Trinidad and Tobago. Under the theme, ‘Violence as a Public Health Issue – The Crime Challenge,’ the symposium promoted dialogue and regional action aimed at violence reduction and crime prevention. The symposium was chaired by Dr. the Hon. Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Lead Head

continued on page 2

WASHINGTON, D.C.: On April 19, Congresswoman

Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) joined New York City Public Advocate

Jumaane D. Williams, members of New York’s Congressional delegation, and immigration activists for a press conference outside of the U.S. Capitol to call for federal action on an agenda to address the immediate asylum seeker

crisis as well as reform immigration policy infrastructure for the long-term.

Clarke: We live in a country where everyone’s family has, at some point, chosen to come to these shores seeking freedom or a better life. That’s why we hear American politicians, and even Americans themselves, love to call themselves “a nation of immigrants”. It’s been

continued on page 13

Rep. Clarke: “We Are a Nation of Immigrants, Founded by Immigrants”

Mayor Adams Urges Biden Administration to Take Action for Asylum Seekers Ahead of Title 42 Lifting ....12

Mature Response From Guyana At ICJ Victory Over Venezuela ....3

Basil Springer: Restoring the Glory of Haiti ....6

CARIBBEAN SPECIAL REPORT

Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla

845 Third Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10022

Tel: 212-745-0200

Antigua & Barbuda

305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A

New York, N.Y. 10020

Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas

231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados

820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize

675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-593-0999

Dominica

685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic

1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036

Tel: 212-599-8478

Grenada

685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana

308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018

Tel: 212-947-5119

Haiti 555 5th Ave 3rd Floor New York, NY 10017

Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica

767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022

Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat

845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022

Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama

1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036

Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis

414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021

Tel: 212-535-5521

St. Lucia

630 Third Avenue, 7th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-697-9360

St. Maarten

675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 800-786-2278

St. Vincent & The Grenadines

801 Second Avenue, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017

Tel: 212-687-4981

Trinidad & Tobago

125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038

Tel: 212-682-7272

For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

PAHO and Partners Launch Report Series to Support Healthy Aging Strategies in the Americas

Washington, DC, (PAHO): A series of reports that seek to contribute to the development of healthy aging strategies in the Americas was launched today by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with other United Nations agencies and the Inter-American System.

The series The Decade of Healthy Aging in the Americas: Situation and Challenges presents an overview of different aspects of aging and the health situation of older persons in the region, where life expectancy reached 77.2 years in 2019.

"These reports constitute a significant advance in the consolidation of data and information on population aging and on the health and well-being of older persons in the Americas," PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said. "Through them, it will be possible to identify, understand and address many of the challenges and opportunities that profound and accelerated aging will present for the Americas," he said.

The region is aging rapidly. It is estimated that, by 2030, there will be more people over the age of 60 than under the age of 15. And while life expectancy at birth for both sexes increased by three years between 2000 and 2019, men and

women in the region live on average 9.7 and 12.3 years in poor health, respectively.

Poverty and inequality influence the life course and the conditions in which people spend their old age, a factor also highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fact that people are living longer reflects progress, but the challenge now is to ensure that most of these years are lived in better health. For this to happen, strategies must be implemented not only during old age but throughout the entire life course. It is also key to provide favorable environments for the elderly and integrated, person-centered health care, with an emphasis on primary care.

The series is launched within the context of the United Nations Decade for Healthy Aging (2021-2030) with the aim of providing accurate and reliable information so that countries can advance strategies, actions and policies that promote healthy aging of all populations.

The reports focus on various topics, including the human rights of older persons, their access to new technologies and the economic context of aging, as well as the situation of indigenous older persons and older persons within the LGBTIQA+ community. Several articles present information on the impact of COVID-19 on older people with a view to protect this population in future emergencies.

"We cannot imagine inclusive and sustainable development if we do not put people at the center of strategies. This includes both older people and the next generations," said the PAHO Director.

The series is the result of collaboration between PAHO and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).l

Jamaica Expo 2023: The Caribbean’s Premier Trade Show

Hosted by the Jamaica Manufacturers’ and Exporters Association Limited since 1971 Expo Jamaica is the Caribbean’s number one exhibition and tradeshow showcasing manufacturers, service providers,

Declaration / continued from page 1

responsible for Crime and Security.

At the Forty-Fourth (44th) Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM held in Nassau, The Bahamas, from February 15-17, 2023, Heads of Government agreed that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago would host a special symposium to consider crime as a public health concern. This follows the decisions the Heads of Government took in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 to convene such a meeting, the plans for which were delayed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Region’s method of addressing crime and violence from a social prevention perspective and a criminal justice perspective has been the traditional approach for many years.

primary producers, exporters and tourism industry under one roof.

As a multi-sectoral tradeshow we attracted over two hundred and nineteen (219) exhibitors, five hundred and sixtyeight (568) buyers, and twenty-one

The conventional approach of the criminal justice system focuses on retribution, imprisonment, rehabilitation, and restoration to restore harmony and reintegrate people into society. However, this has resulted in consistently escalating levels of crime and violence which have been an ongoing concern of CARICOM Heads of Government for several years.

Given CARICOM’s deep concern about the unprecedented levels of crime, Heads of Government resolved to increase focus on the determinants of crime by taking a public health approach which would first identify the causal factors and preventions where possible, followed by interventions.

The Regional Symposium emphasized a holistic system approach, particularly a whole of Government and whole-of-society approach, involving and collaborating with all relevant agencies, organiza-

thousand four hundred and forty-two (21,442) consumers at our last staging in 2018.

This year’s event will be held from April 27-30. For more information, visit www.expojamaica.com. l

tions, and sectors at different levels, including civil society, business, community, families, and individuals.

The topics discussed over the two days included: Violence and Health in the Region; Crime and Violence: A Public Health Approach; Mental Health; Transnational Organized Crime; Using Litigation to Protect Gun Violence –Global Action on Gun Violence; TransBorder Crime; Education and Youth, Domestic Violence; Economic Inequalities as the Driver of Crime and Violence; Community approachesRestorative Justice; Sports and Mediation; and the Judicial PerspectiveLegislation and Juvenile Justice Reform.l CARICOM Press Room

Read the Declaration at www.cawnyc.com

Mature Response From Guyana At ICJ Victory Over Venezuela

BY SIR RONALD SANDERS

Guyana has won a second judgement in an ongoing case against Venezuela, at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague,“to confirm the legal validity and binding effect” of an 1899 arbitration that determined the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela as“a full, perfect and final settlement”.

The Court made the latest judgement with 14 Judges in favor and one against. The Judge, casting the single dissenting vote was Phillipe Couvreur who was chosen by the Venezuelan Government to sit as an ad hoc judge in the case.

At stake in the case was the acceptability or rejection by the Court of a preliminary objection from the Venezuelan government, which argued that the United Kingdom (UK) is an indispensable third party without whose consent the Court cannot adjudicate upon the dispute.

The UK is the former colonial power in Guyana (formerly British Guiana) which became an independent, sovereign state on 26 May 1966. The UK was party to the 1899 arbitral award, but by an agreement, signed on 17 February 1966 in Geneva (to which Guyana became a party at its independence) the settlement of the dispute, which Venezuela resurrected in 1962, was left to Guyana and Venezuela in accordance with procedures set out in the agreement.

The Judges of ICJ, having considered the legal arguments made by Guyana and Venezuela, and after examination of the historical facts of the case, decided to reject the Venezuelan preliminary objection, saying that the exercise of the Court's jurisdiction “is based on the application of the Geneva Agreement” and that the UK was not involved in the dispute settlement arrangements between Guyana and Venezuela, nor did either of them “request the United Kingdom's participation”.

An important aspect of the 1966 Geneva Agreement was that, as the Court put it, “Guyana and Venezuela could submit the dispute to one of the means of settlement set out in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations, without the involvement of the United

Kingdom.” Article 33 allows for the parties to a dispute “to seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice.” One of the solutions is that if the parties fail to reach agreement regarding the means of settlement, the secretary-general of the United Nations shall choose another of the means stipulated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Guyana and Venezuela failed to find a settlement after 52 years of direct discussion, mixed commissions and mediation. Therefore, on 30 January 2018, the UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, chose the ICJ“as the means that is now to be used for its solution”. Subsequently, Guyana instituted proceedings against Venezuela at the ICJ to establish “the legal validity and binding effect” of the 1899 boundary settlement. At that time, two generations of Guyanese had lived in uncertainty and fear of Venezuela's aggression and incursions into their territory.

Venezuela was unhappy about the involvement of the ICJ from the outset, even though it is the instrument of a legal and peaceful process that the UN Charter provides for the settlement of disputes and is one that has been used from its inception by nations across the world. Consequently, on 18 June 2018, Venezuela launched its first objection to the case brought by Guyana, stating that the ICJ had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

In all fairness to Venezuela, the ICJ decided to postpone hearing the merits of the Guyana case until it had considered the Venezuelan arguments regarding the Court's jurisdiction. On 18 December 2020, the Court found that it did have jurisdiction to hear Guyana's case on the validity of the 1899 arbitral award. That was the first legal blow to Venezuela.

On 7 June 2022, Venezuela responded by filing the preliminary objection which the Court agreed was admissible for consideration. However, having examined the argument for the preliminary objection, for five months since 17 November 2022, the Court rejected it on 6 April

2023, confirming that it can adjudicate upon the merits of the case brought by Guyana for judicial settlement. But it will be another year before that happens; Venezuela has been given a year to respond to Guyana.

It is clear that, in these judicial proceedings, Venezuela has been given every opportunity to present its objections, and lengthy consideration has been given by the ICJ to its arguments before rejecting them. The international judicial system is working in a fair and objective manner, about which Venezuela can have no reason for complaint.

The more fundamental problem is that since 1962, sixty-three years after its parliament accepted and praised the 1899 arbitration, which gave Venezuela more territory than it had, successive Venezuelan governments have tried to distract attention from their deep internal divisions by trying to build unity around a false claim to the Essequibo region.

That claim was developed on an unsubstantiated note from a dead man, Severo Mallet-Prevost, a member of Venezuela's legal team during the 1899 proceeding, that he knew of a“political deal” in the arbitration's findings. Similar unsubstantiated allegations were made in Venezuela's preliminary objection submitted to the ICJ in 2022. They are a flimsy basis on which to build an entire national belief system, but it has been reinforced in Venezuelan schools and enhanced by false maps of the country. This disinformation has also promoted

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hostility toward Guyana from Venezuelan citizens.

The ICJ process may eventually settle the legal basis for the Guyana-Venezuela boundary. It is in both countries' interest to continue to participate fully in the Court's proceedings, and, once finalized, to accept its decision, as many other countries have done since 1946.

It is good that Guyana did not take a triumphalist stance toward Venezuela after its two legal victories at the ICJ. Instead, its President, Irfaan Ali, took the mature position of simply stating Guyana's confidence “that its longstanding international boundary with Venezuela will be confirmed by the Court.”l

Sir Ronald Sanders is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto.

His Excellency President Irfaan Ali

Photo courtesy: Office of the President

WORKERS’ MATTERS

DOL to Honor Workers Whose Jobs Claimed their Lives, Recommit to Protecting Workers as Nation Marks Workers Memorial Day

WASHINGTON: On April 28, 1970, the nation first observed Workers Memorial Day at a time when an estimated 38 people died on the job in the U.S. each day. More than a half century later, this annual tribute endures as do the determined efforts of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Mine Safety and Health Administration to help protect the lives of our nation's workers.

Today, work-related injuries claim the lives of approximately 14 people each day in the U.S., that's one life lost every 101 minutes. There were 5,190 such deaths in 2021. Workers Memorial Day pays tribute to these people, and all the fallen workers before them, and the survivors who remain to grieve and carry on.

In 2023, families, friends, coworkers, and others will gather on Friday, April 28 at events across the nation to honor people who died at work.

"On Workers Memorial Day, as we remember the people whose jobs claimed their lives, we must recognize that behind these numbers, there are people

who mourn each loss. For them, these statistics are loved ones: they're parents, children, siblings, relatives, friends, or co-workers," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. "On this day of remembrance, we should reflect on what might have prevented their loss and recommit ourselves to doing all we can — and all that can be done — to safeguard workers and to fulfill our moral obligation and duty as a nation to protect America's workers."

Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker and Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Christopher Williamson will host a national Workers Memorial Day ceremony online broadcast from the department's Washington headquarters on April 27 at 1 p.m. EDT. They will be joined by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities Vice President Wanda Engracia, whose husband, Pablo

Morillo was one of three workers killed in a 2005 industrial explosion in New Jersey.

"On Workers Memorial Day, we come together to remember those workers we have lost, including those who suffered toxic exposures at work that led to fatal illnesses which were entirely preventable," Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. "Repeated and prolonged exposures to unsafe levels of coal dust, silica and diesel exhaust can slowly strip a miner of their livelihood and dignity, and eventually their life. We must honor their loss by doing all we can to protect the health and safety of our nation's miners."

On Friday, April 28 at 1pm, join the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) for our annual Workers’ Memorial Day event to honor those who have died or suffered injuries or illnesses while on the job, to recognize the sacrifices made by all essential workers on the front lines, and to renew the fight for strong safety and health protections. At Foley Square, Manhattan.l

IF IT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT, IT MAY BE VIOLATING YOUR RIGHTS.

If your landlord is using construction to harass you, this can include cutting o昀 essential services like heat, electricity, o r excessive construction noise at odd hours, it’s illegal. DOB’s Oce of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) is here to protect your rights. We make landlords obey the law.

TO FILE A COMPLAINT CALL 311 AND ASK FOR DOB’S OFFICE OF THE TENANT ADVOCATE

ISLAND FOCUS: HAITI

Restoring the Glory of Haiti

BY DR BASIL SPRINGER GCM

Ireported in this column (Basil Springer Column) on January 16, 2023, that my morning “winter” walk buddies around the Club Rockley are primarily Bowen Wells, a former British MP and a former consultant to the Commonwealth Development Corporation, and Canadian Dr. Tom Sears, a former international banking executive. Both, together with their wives, have been regular visitors to Barbados during the winter for many years.

Sincerest condolences to Bowen who has recently and relatively suddenly lost his wife, Rennie, and has returned to England. On my current visit to Barbados for Easter I overlapped with Tom and his wife, Jessica for one day before they returned to Canada.

This was long enough for me to have lunch with Tom and have one last morning walk for the season. Our topic, at the behest of Bowen, was Haiti.

Haiti is a country that has been plagued by political turmoil, natural disasters, and economic challenges including hunger, poor health care, inflation, food, fuel, misery and violence for decades. As

– Romans 4:19

political scientists and international aid organizations look for solutions to help Haiti turn its fortunes around, valuable lessons can be gleaned from the leadership of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, and Errol Barrow in Barbados.

One of the key principles that can be learned from Nelson Mandela's leadership is the importance of reconciliation. Mandela worked tirelessly to bring together different groups in South Africa, promoting forgiveness, and encouraging

people to work together towards a common goal. This approach could be applied in Haiti to help heal the deep divisions that exist within the country and promote unity.

Another lesson to be learned from Mandela is the need for strong leadership that is backed by a broad-based coalition of supporters. Mandela was able to build a coalition that, stimulated by the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group, included a wide range of groups, from labor unions to business leaders, and he

used this support to push for democratic reforms and economic growth.

Lee Kuan Yew's leadership in Singapore offers solid lessons on the importance of good governance and a focus on economic development. Under Lee's leadership, Singapore was transformed from a sleepy fishing village, with a threat of communism, into a prosperous and developed country. Lee emphasized the need for good governance, including a strong legal system, effective bureaucracy, and a focus on meritocracy. While facing complex challenges, these principles could be applied in Haiti to improve governance and promote economic development.

The leadership of Errol Barrow in Barbados demonstrates the importance of self-determination and independence. Barrow fought for social and political reform and led Barbados to independence from British rule in 1966. This example shows that a commitment to independence and self-determination can help to build a strong and resilient nation.

To turn Haiti around, a comprehensive model that incorporates the principles of coalition-building, a commitment to independence, and self-determination is required.

continued on page 13

“Moreover, Abraham became the father of generations who live by faith, those who hope against the odds.”

Protecting Your Loved Ones and Your Legacy: 9 Reasons to Hire an Estate Planning Attorney

BY PEARL PHILLIP

When it comes to seeking legal advice, experience matters. And specialization is even more critical when it comes to something as important as safeguarding your loved ones, cementing your legacy, and ensuring your wishes are carried out. An estate planning attorney can be a significant help during your life, and here are nine reasons to work with such an attorney.

1. You have been putting off your estate plan. If you have meant to create an estate plan but never get around to it, talking to an an estate planning attorney is the jump start you need. An estate planning attorney can help you with every aspect of estate planning, from the distribution of your assets to assessing future tax liability for your heirs.

2. Your will needs to be updated. Even if you have a will, changes in your life and family may have rendered it dangerously out of date. If you got divorced, for instance, your will may still name your ex-spouse as a beneficiary, a situation you will likely want to address.

3. Your health has been declining. There is nothing wrong with working with an estate planning attorney when you feel fit, but if your health has been

declining, you should stop putting it off. Declining health is a great reason to call an estate planning attorney, as prompt action could help you preserve your assets and legacy.

4. You are ready to start claiming Social Security. Signing up for Social Security benefits is not as straightforward. There is much to unpack, from when to begin taking those monthly checks to how the money will impact your tax liability. An estate planning attorney can help you develop the optimum Social Security claiming strategy to maximize your benefits and live a more comfortable life in retirement.

5. You have assets to protect. The pro-

tection of assets is another good reason to hire an estate planning attorney. An experienced estate planning attorney can assist you with everything from wills and trusts to estate plans and annuities, helping you protect the assets you have worked so hard for.

6. You want to protect your loved ones. No one wants to think about death and inheritance, but ignoring those unpleasant subjects will not make them disappear. If you want to protect your loved ones, do yourself and them a favor by working with an estate planning attorney.

7. You are concerned about the cost of assisted living. The high cost of assisted living can bankrupt even the wealthiest

families, leaving them bereft of the necessary resources. Even if you are still in good health, talking to an estate planning attorney now is the best way to protect yourself against those ruinous future costs.

8. You need help with probate administration. Going through probate can be complicated, and even minor errors can have major implications. Working with an estate planning attorney during this time is a good idea, as these professionals have the experience and expertise necessary to do it right.

9. You have loved ones with special needs. Protecting family members who lack the resources to care for themselves can be tricky, but working with an estate planning attorney can make it easier. If you have loved ones with special needs, you must talk to an estate planning attorney as soon as possible.

Everyone gets older, and that means everyone could benefit from the services of an an estate planning attorney. Whether you want to protect your assets, safeguard your legacy or avoid the high cost of assisted living and nursing home care, there are good reasons to work with a competent an estate planning attorney Call the Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates at 855-768-8845. p

Importance of a Living Trust

Most know how critical it is to create a last will and testament when estate pre-planning. Despite its name, however, a will isn’t the final document you need to ensure a smooth transferal of your earthly possessions to the next generation. Here’s a look at how a living trust smooths the way for the proper execution of your will.

How Trusts Work

Without a living trust, you risk sending your surviving family members through a drawn-out legal proceeding known as probate. These hearings first determine whether a will is valid. They then turn their attention to locating and valuing a decedent’s assets. Any outstanding bills and tax debts are paid. Finally, probate hearings make a determination on distributing whatever remains to those who are named in your will. Living trusts streamline the process, proving for a designated family member or friend to manage your property. They can then quickly resolve these end-of-life issues.

Appointing Someone

The very first requirement is finding an executor who you completely trust to handle this important process in your absence. Your executor should also be someone who is mature enough to deal with a very difficult assignment. If you can’t find the right person — or if the intention is to leave out all direct beneficiaries — then you can name a representative from your bank or trust company to handle things.

Setting Them Up

A person who you appoint handles everything that the court would slowly work its way through, transferring ownership to your intended

beneficiaries and following any other instructions. Seek out the advice of an attorney who specializes in living trusts and wills, so that you can be assured that everything in these documents is legally binding. What if you change you mind? Living trusts are revocable, as long as you’re deemed mentally competent.

Potential Problems

There is one notable downside. Living trusts are typically far more costly to set up than the average straight-forward will. In the long run, however, that additional cost will be worth it in your absence since your family won’t have to deal with probate. Be aware that some banks and mortgage companies require that any real estate be removed from the trust before refinancing. A pre-planning professional can walk you through the process. Also, be sure to name yourself and spouse as trustees in your living will, so you’ll remain in control of all assets before your death. your finances will be fixed and approved, allowing everyone else to move on with grieving.p

Updating Your Will A

will is your ironclad way to disperse your assets to loved ones as you wish. Here are a few of the top reasons you may need to update this important document.

Change in Marital Status

If you get married after a will is already in place, it’s important to update your beneficiaries to include a spouse. Most states have laws in place where a spouse will receive the estate if you die without a will, but the process can be more difficult and lengthier.

A divorce would be another change in marital status that requires a will to be doctored. You will need to address their status as beneficiary, estate executor and sometimes as guardian to your children.

If you have remarried but have children from a previous marriage, you can also update your document to include the kids and new spouse. A financial advisor is a great resource who can help you create a strategy to

continued on page 4

Health Care Directives

Don’t procrastinate when creating an advance care plan. Age isn’t the only factor that should be considered. A medical crisis that leaves you too ill to make your own decisions could strike at any time.

Emergency Treatment

Without a solid health care directive in place, family members may be tasked with making difficult decisions for your treatment. Here are a few common instances you must have clear and legal instructions regarding, as suggested by the National Institute on Aging:

• CPR: If your heart begins beating with an abnormal rhythm, it can be life threatening. Discuss with your family your opinions about resuscitation so they can determine if CPR should be administered.

• Ventilator: When you are unable to breathe on your own, a ventilator can be used to keep you alive. It usually includes a tube which is connected to your trachea to ensure you’re receiving enough oxygen.

• Comfort Care: Deciding how to keep you comfortable while suffer-

ing is another factor you should have clear instructions for. Consider instances like limiting medical testing, spiritual and emotional counseling, and pain medication.

Types of Facilities

Visit different facilities to make the decision on where you will stay if you become disabled to the point you can’t take care of yourself. It’s important to have a plan for different stages of life. Here are a few to consider: If you require minimal assistance to live your day-to-day life, an assisted living community is a great option. You have the freedom to reside in your own space yet receive help in

areas like laundry services, prepared meals and personal care.

A nursing home is a better option when you need constant assistance from medical professionals. Here, you can receive 24-hour supervision and help with daily necessities like bathing, grooming and medical management.

In-home care is a great option for someone who wants to stay at home while receiving the same benefits as an assisted-living facility. While it can be expensive to call on medical professionals to come to your home, it is a very comfortable option for those needing help.

Five Types of Advance Directives in New York State

•A Health Care Proxy lets you appoint a healthcare agent that is, someone you trust to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.

•A Living Will allows you to leave written instructions that explain your health care wishes, especially about end-of-life care. You cannot use a Living Will to name a health care agent; you must use a Health Care Proxy.

•A Living Will together with a Health Care Proxy lets you state your health care wishes and name a health care agent.

•A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) only lets you express your wish to do without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that is, emergency treatment to restart your heart and lungs if your heartbeat or breathing stops.

•Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) are one way of documenting a patient's treatment preferences concerning life-sustaining treatment. p

•

Planning for a Disabled Child

Estate pre-planning should be an important part of everyone’s financial regimen, but this process becomes even more important when you have a child with disabilities.

A lot of factors go into creating a uniquely designed plan, depending on their unique personal challenges and whether they are a minor or adult. The goal is to help your special-needs child continue to lead an enriching, happy life even in your absence.

A Lifetime of Care

The larger goal of special-needs planning is to preserve public aid while also supplementing your child’s care. There are additional benefits to taking care of this right away: If plans are put in place while you’re still alive, the estate avoids probate. Others interested parties, like their grandparents, can contribute to a trust. Named co-trustees can also get hands-on experience in helping with childcare and administering the guardianship. Depending on the child’s capability, this money-management program may be critically important since it will be the only

future path to protecting eligibility for benefits. It will provide additional funds for a broader scope of care and create a financial resource should benefits become restricted or end all together.

Special-Needs Trust

Children are at particular risk if they are unable to live independently after the death of a parent of guardian. A special-needs trust can ensure that they are provided with needed resources and care over the course of

their lifetime. Parents or guardians should name the trust as a beneficiary in their will, according to the American Bar Association, instead of the child. Many public-aid options are designed to be resource dependent, meaning recipients aren’t eligible if they have access to a certain amount of money. These trusts allow for an inheritance without endangering aid provided by Medicaid, SSI or other government programs because assets held in trust are not directly available to the child. Funds from life-insurance policies, IRAs and retirement plans can also be directed to the trust, and the child still has access to other programs.

Designating a Caretaker

Beyond the obvious financial considerations, parents and guardians must select a designated caretaker to look after their special-needs child — or to manage their care, if the child is in an assisted-living environment. Work with an attorney who specializes in estate planning in order to create both a trust and this succession plan, since states have differing regulations and laws regarding who may serve as a legal guardian.p

Your Will/continued from page 2

Changes in Financial Situation

There may come a time where you decide to increase or decrease the inheritance you are leaving behind for loved ones.

For instance, if you receive a large sum of money, it’s possible to alter your will to add a new beneficiary or make an increase towards those currently on your list.

On the other hand, if you experience financial misfortune, it’s necessary to adjust the document to pay out less and ensure your estate’s obligations can still be met.

Changes in Tax Laws

It can be hard to stay up-to-date on constantly changing tax laws, but it’s necessary to keep your final document in good legal standing. Especially if your will takes actions to address estate tax issues, it’s a good idea to receive periodic reviews by an attorney.

Ask for Advice

Don’t be afraid to ask your legal expert for advice on other moments that may benefit your last will and testament. Remember, this document is incredibly important to keep accurate as it articulates your vision and solidifies your legacy.p

BE EQUITY SMART Buying a Home on a Single Income? 3 Budgeting Tips That Will Make Things Easier

BY EQUITY SMART REALTY INC

Are you thinking about buying that perfect new home? Whether you're buying for yourself or a new home for a family, there will be many costs involved. Let's take a look at 3 budgeting tips that will help make homeownership on a single income easier.

Get a Full Picture Of Home Ownership Costs

Buying a home is never as simple as paying a mortgage payment each month. So, as with most budgets the first place to start is a full consideration of everything involved.

On top of your mortgage, what other monthly costs will come up? Consider utilities like electricity, phone, cable, water and others. You'll be responsible for property taxes, so find out how much other local owners are paying. If you're buying into a community, you may have to pay monthly fees to a homeowners' association.

When you're visiting open houses and talking to owners, be sure to get a full pic-

ture of their monthly costs. It will help you build a responsible budget.

Keep Your Credit as Strong as Possible

It might sound obvious, but keeping your credit or FICO score spotless is important. Buying a home on a single income means that you'll need a mortgage. Depending on the home you're buying, this might be significant. Your credit score is one of many factors your lender

will use to assess you, but it's the most important. So keep those bills paid on time and avoid any black marks on your credit report.

Plan Ahead for Unexpected Budget Shocks

Don't forget to think ahead at events that while unlikely — may shock your finances. Having one income means that you're one negative health event away from being out of work. What happens if the income-earner gets sick, fired or laid off? Is there other work nearby, or would you need to move? Consider the different types of insurance you can get on your mortgage and home. And how much you'll need to put away in a 'rainy day fund' each month.

Guidance

While it might be a bit more of a struggle, it's still possible to buy a home on a single income. For more tips and insight, be sure to contact us at Equity Smart Realty Inc. Our real estate professionals will be able to share how other single-income families have bought homes in your local market. Call 888-670-6791.l

Mayor Adams Urges Biden Administration to Provide Expedited, Emergency Paths to Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers Ahead of Title 42 Lifting

NEW YORK: As Republican leaders in Congress continue to refuse to provide any support for cities or states that have seen a mass influx of asylum seekers, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, members of the Adams administration, and elected officials today urged the Biden administration to immediately enhance paths to work authorization for asylum seekers currently in the U.S. and those who continue to arrive every day. It has been approximately one year since asylum seekers first started to be bussed to the five boroughs, and New York City still continues to receive approximately 200 asylum seekers each day — a number that’s only expected to grow following the lifting of Title 42 on May 11, 2023.

Mayor Adams is calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants coming from Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Sudan, South Sudan, and Cameroon, to expand access

to humanitarian parole for newly arriving asylum seekers and asylum seekers already in the United States, and to increase the number of and reassign existing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers to reduce application processing times. All of these actions can immediately be taken by the executive branch of the federal government and without legislation being passed by Republican leaders in Congress who refuse to offer any support for the ongoing crisis.

“As a city, we have done everything in our power to provide support to the tens of thousands of asylum seekers who have arrived at our doorstep,” said Mayor Adams. “While New York City has shouldered the costs of this crisis largely alone, we have always said that this is a national crisis that requires a coordinated, comprehensive response from the federal government. To deny people the ability to work legally sets them up for failure. The actions we’re urging our federal partners to do, all of

which can be done without support from the Republican leaders in Congress who refuse to do their jobs, will ensure that asylum seekers in New York City, and across the country, can do what they came here to do — work lawfully and build stable lives.”

“While our administration has been leading the charge to respond to this humanitarian crisis, we need the federal government to support a nationwide strategy,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro. “Thousands of recently arrived New Yorkers, unable to return to their home countries due to dangerous and unsafe circumstances, can be protected through TPS and humanitarian parole.”

As of March 31, 2023, New York City alone has incurred more than $817 million in costs related to housing and caring for the asylum seeker population. Over Fiscal Year 2023, the city anticipates spending $1.4 billion, and $2.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2024. This means an

estimated total of $4.3 billion will be spent by June 30, 2024.

Despite calls for additional support for months, New York City faces these costs alone, without adequate support from the federal or state governments. This is an unsustainable fiscal burden that strains the city’s budget and places at risk funding for programs and services that benefit New Yorkers.l

President Biden Editorial credit: Shag 7799 / Shutterstock.com

IMMIGRATION

Restoring Haiti to Glory/ continued from page 6 nearly 250 years since the founding of our nation, and still, America has managed to maintain that self image –whether through the forced migration of millions of African slaves, restrictive immigration laws based on unjust fears of “inferior” races, and nativist movements that encouraged immigrants to assimilate or leave.

Nation of Immigrants/ continued from page 1

But the true reality of America’s immigrant heritage is much more complicated beyond myth. It stands as the fundamental truth of the history of our great nation. To truly understand our country’s immigration system today is impossible without knowing who’s been kept out, let in, and how they have been treated once they arrive. As it stands, our immigration laws have not been updated in more than 30 years.

This has kept families apart for decades, limited our ability to attract and retain top talent, and forced millions to live their lives in a perpetual state of uncertainty. The values, courage, and tenacity of people seeking the opportunity of a better life should guide our efforts to support the immigrant community. As a daughter of Jamaican immigrants, I am uniquely familiar with the intestinal fortitude required to make that arduous journey and work every day to achieve the

American Dream, despite systems put in place to exclude and castigate.

As a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, CoChair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foreign Affairs and Immigration Task Force, and founding co-chair of the House Caribbean and House Haiti Caucuses, I have seen the glaring inequities and civil rights violations plaguing our immigrants in this nation. Let me be very clear: Our immigration system is broken, and I will not relent until our immigration system reflects a modern and equitable approach to this issue. The time has come for the values of our nation to be reflected in our immigration policies.

We need innovative policies and community support to reimagine the immigration system in a humane, just, and fair manner. I’m proud to stand here with my

colleagues to demand additional federal aid to address the asylum seeker crisis.

And let’s be clear – this is a crisis. Not at our Southern Border, but here in our communities and neighborhoods. We have a moral obligation to provide Dreamers, TPS, and DED recipients with a real, manageable pathway to citizenship and permanent residency, update the immigrant registry, clear the family and employment-based backlogs, and pass comprehensive immigration reform. They came here fleeing everything from political and economic conflict to natural disasters and health crises. They came seeking a better life. They came and made this nation a better and more prosperous place. We are a nation of immigrants, founded by immigrants, so we must do better for our immigrants. In closing, Happy Immigrant Heritage Week. Let’s stay true to our heritage.l

In addition, it will be important to address the root causes of Haiti's challenges, including poverty, inequality and corruption. This will require a sustained effort by government leaders, civil society organizations, and yes, CARICOM and the international community, to work together to promote sustainable economic growth, improve education and health care, and promote social justice.

As calypsonian David Rudder offers: “Haiti, I am sorry. One day we'll turn our heads and restore your glory.”

Ultimately, turning Haiti around will require a long-term commitment and sustained effort by all stakeholders. By learning from its glorious past (the first in the Caribbean to achieve independence through a successful slave rebellion) as well as the leadership of Nelson Mandela, Lee Kuan Yew, and Errol Barrow, Haiti can begin to develop a comprehensive model that will help to transform the country and promote sustainable growth and development for all its citizens.

A global Eminent Persons Group to Haiti could be a critical first step.l

Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a ChangeEngine Consultant.

Leaders in Washington,DC. Photo courtesy Rep Clarke’s Office.

Join the Bes t Online Paralegal Program N ow!

BY THE CHAMBER COALITION

The rise in popularity of online education programs means that it is easier than ever to find the right one for you. Deciding on the best paralegal online program requires research and time. By weeding out the level mills and sub-standard institutions, you can earn a quality certificate at an affordable price. When researching online paralegal programs, you will want to consider several factors: cost and institution reputation are the most important. With this in mind, one program rises above the rest.

The Chamber Coalition, which comprises the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), the African American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC), and the Hispanic American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC), offers the best online Paralegal Studies program. The competitive tuition rate, coupled with the impeccable reputation of the Coalition, makes this an obvious choice for anyone serious about their education. This is a program of the highest standard.

Additional certificates include LexisNexis and CLIO. We also use CALI which is what is used in law schools.

Requirements

To be admitted to the Chamber's Paralegal Certificate program, you must be at least eighteen years old, have strong computer skills, and have a high school diploma. If these qualifications fit you, you can continue the admission process. Applications are accepted online anytime during the year. A mandatory orientation describes your upcoming classes, guidelines, and expectations.

The tuition for this respected program is very competitive with other online paralegal programs. It costs less than $1000 for the entire program. The average student can finish the degree in anywhere from six to twelve months. Books

are extra and will run around a few hundred dollars for everything. If you want the best paralegal online program at the best price, the Chamber Coalition Paralegal Certificate Program is the answer. The program is excellent for aspiring and current paralegals, individuals who plan to attend law school, community advocates, persons who want to understand the law and their rights, and prospective political candidates.

Is Being a Paralegal Worth It?

Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% job growth between now and 2029. The median salary nationwide in 2019 was $51,740, and the average mean wage was $61,810. It truly is a prestigious and significant profession. Simply put, paralegals help people. They help their employers be more efficient in their jobs, increase a firm's revenue and productivity, and help the clients.

A career as a paralegal can be rewarding professionally and personally and offers a unique opportunity to help others; options vary, depending on the paralegal's practice area. l

Ready to take the leap, the next step? Visit www.freeparalegal.org

We are looking for persons to sell advertisements. Experience in advertising sales is needed and preferably experience or a sincere interest in marketing. Interested?

Grenada’s Carnival, Spicemas, Comes to New York City

New York, NY: The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) has partnered with The Spicemas Corporation to give New Yorkers a taste of its beloved carnival, Spicemas. On Sunday, May 7, 2023, Grenada will host an experiential Spicemas launch event at Brooklyn’s Crown Hill Theater to showcase the energy that only a carnival fete can deliver.

The one-night event will provide attendees with an authentic cultural experience, including feature performances from some of Grenada’s top artists including: Lil Natty & Thunda, Lil Kerry, V'GHN, Scholar, Scholar * Cryave, Skinny Banton, Alma Boy, Zingo, Inspector and Kush. Traditional and fancy forms of masquerade will be represented and a dazzling spectacle of traditional Spicemas costumes will be on display. Attendees will also have a chance to taste the destination’s mouthwatering cuisine and learn more about attending Spicemas in Grenada.

“Spicemas continues to grow in popularity with carnival slayers across the

Happy Earth Day April 22, 2023

world. This NYC launch event will be an allimmersive event that showcases authentic Grenadian culture at its best and provides a teaser to the city that never sleeps for what is to come in August,” said Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority. “Playing Spice Mas is definitely a must for your bucket-list.”

“We are thrilled to bring a teaser of this epic event to New York to share the excitement and energy that one can experience at Spicemas in Grenada,” said Cecil Noel, CEO of the Spicemas Corporation.

Grenada, known as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean, names its annual carnival Spicemas as a nod to the island’s production of the most spices per square mile in the Caribbean region. As Grenada’s marquee event, Spicemas showcases a variety of colorful and immersive week-long activities that reflect the destination’s African, French, British and Caribbean heritage. This year’s Spicemas in Grenada, taking place August 115, 2023, will feature new compliments and concepts different from previous years. For more information on Spicemas in Grenada, please visit: https://spicemasgrenada.com/.l

Kitchen Corner

One-Pot Crispy Chicken and Rice

This meal is so comforting and family friendly. My kids eat every morsel on their plates. This is also a super economical way to feed a family or a large crowd. Great served with green beans, broccoli, or a salad. –Nicolecmom, AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

6 (4 ounce) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

¾ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

⅔ cup finely chopped yellow onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain rice

3 cups chicken stock, divided, or more to taste

1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 medium lemon, cut into wedges

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Heat oil in large Dutch oven over mediumhigh heat.

Step 3

Place chicken skin-side down in the Dutch oven; cook undisturbed until golden crisp and easily released from the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip chicken and cook for 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Chicken will not be cooked through at this point.

Step 4

Add butter to the drippings and melt. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until translu-

cent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add rice; cook, stirring to coat grains in drippings and lightly toast, about 1 minute. Stir in 3 cups stock and remaining salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven. Place the chicken thighs over the rice.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until all liquid has been absorbed and chicken is cooked through, 45 to 55 minutes. Add remaining stock if liquid is absorbed before rice and chicken are cooked through. Sprinkle with parsley and squeeze lemon juice over the top.l

Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 413 calories; total fat 17g; saturated fat 5g; cholesterol 77mg; sodium 891mg; total carbohydrate 42g; dietary fiber 2g; total sugars 1g; protein 23g; vitamin c 15mg; calcium 44mg; iron 3mg; potassium 290mg

Cook's Note:

This recipe works with shortand long-grain rice or other grains such as farro.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 1 hrs 5 mins

Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins

Photo: Grenada Tourism Authority

"Nature never hurries: atom by atom, little by little, she achieves her work. The lesson one learns from yachting or planting is the manners of Nature; patience with the delays of wind and sun, delays of the seasons, bad weather, excess or lack of water."

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Five Important Things You Should Have Learned in Sex Ed – But Probably Didn’t

BY ÁINE AVENTIN THE CONVERSATION

If you grew up in the 90s and 00s, you may feel that sex education didn’t teach you much of practical value. Most sex education during this time followed a “prevention” approach, focusing on avoiding pregnancy and STIs, with most information largely targeted at heterosexual people.

While some schools are now making their sex education more “sex positive” and inclusive, that doesn’t change the fact that many in their 20s and 30s feel they’ve missed out on vital education that could have helped them better navigate the complex world of relationships and sexuality as adults.

But it’s never too late to learn. Here are five important lessons that sex ed should have taught you.

1. ‘Normal’ sex drive is a myth

Sex education never taught us that sex drive is highly variable and has no universal normal. While some may want sex several times a week, others may find once a month or less sufficient.

Regardless of how often you want or

have sex, more important is understanding sex drive is affected by many factors, and may change throughout your lifetime. Many factors, such as hormone fluctuations, stress, certain medications (including antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives), as well lifestyle factors (such as smoking, drinking, exercise and diet) can all affect libido.

The most important thing is aspiring to understand your own sexual needs and desires and communicating these to your partner. This is important for personal wellbeing and healthy relationships.

Sex drive should only be considered

GREEN CARD SLAVERY?

Don’t

problematic if you’re unhappy with it. If you’re concerned with it in any way, it’s worth checking with your GP.

2. Talking about sex is important

Many of us remember how sex ed tended to focus on discussing the harms that can come from sex. As such, some of us may now see the subject as taboo, and may shy away from talking about sex with our partner.

But research shows that sexual communication is associated with higher relationship and sexual satisfaction. When we openly communicate about sex, we’re revealing otherwise private aspects of ourselves (such as our desires or fantasies) to our partner. Doing so may, in turn, boost sexual satisfaction and feelings of intimacy, which may improve relationship satisfaction overall.

Thankfully, there’s ample advice online to help you learn how to start this conversation and know what sort of questions to ask your partner. Some relationship psychologists suggest starting these conversations as early as possible in relationships, to clarify needs and help ensure sexual compatibility.

They also suggest you continue sharing sexual fantasies as trust in the relationship grows, regularly asking your partner what they enjoy and sharing what you prefer as well.

3. Sexuality can be fluid

Most sex education in the 90s and 00s was largely skewed towards people who were heterosexual and cisgendered. This left those who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary or any other sexual or gender identity with little or no relevant information on how to negotiate sex and relationships.

This also means many people weren’t taught that sexuality can be multifaceted and fluid. Your sexuality is influenced by a combination of many biological, psychological and social factors, and may shift throughout your lifetime. So it’s perfectly normal for your sexual desire and who you’re attracted to change.

Research indicates that sexual fluidity may be more common among cisgender women and sexual minorities. It’s difficult to discern a clear reason for this, but one possibility is that men who identify as heterosexual may be less likely to act

on same-sex attractions, perhaps for fear of negative reactions from those in their social circle.

There’s also evidence that same-sex attraction and sexual fluidity are influenced, in part, by genetics, showing us just how natural diversity in human sexuality is.

Understanding that sexuality can be fluid may help people to let go of potentially harmful misconceptions about themselves and others, and feel more open to express themselves and explore their sexual identity.

4. Sexually transmitted infections are very common

STIs are common, with one person being diagnosed every four minutes in the UK.

But most of us remember our sex ed classes focusing on prevention, resulting in stigmatised perceptions of STIs. This stigma can be harmful, and can impact a person’s mental and physical health, as well as their willingness to disclose their STI status to partners. This prevention approach also meant we learned very little about how to recognise symptoms and treat STIs and fuelled the rise of myths surrounding STIs.

For example, one myth is that people with genital herpes can never have sex again without infecting their partner. Not only is this not true but also, as with all STIs, the earlier you’re diagnosed and treated, the easier it will be to avoid future complications such as infertility.

5. Navigating pregnancy and your fertility

Planning for pregnancy and parenthood is important for both women and men. But with sex ed’s focus so strongly placed on avoiding pregnancy, this means we missed out on important education relating to pregnancy and fertility. This means many women may not be properly educated about the many bodily changes that occur during pregnancy and afterwards.

Sex ed also failed to teach us that around 10%-15% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. This can be a traumatic event, even in cases of early pregnancy loss. But knowing how common it is and having appropriate support could reassure many women that it isn’t their fault.

Many of us also won’t have learned about other aspects of fertility, such as how waiting to have children may affect your chances of getting pregnant. Nor will you have been taught about how lifestyle factors such as weight, diet, and exercise can also affect your chances of becoming pregnant. We also weren’t taught about how common problems with men’s fertility are, and how it can also decline with age.

Even if you did miss out on key sex ed in your earlier years, it’s never too late to begin exploring what healthy relationships and sexuality mean to you.l

It’s important to talk about sex with your partner

FASHION

Survival Stories: Black Fashion Designers

Share Their Experiences During COVID

BY PEARL PHILLIP

At the start of the Covid pandemic, designer Glenroy March made the bold and risky decision to leave New York, the fashion capital of the world, and head to Ghana, Africa. March is the creator of House of D'Marsh (www.dmarshcouture.com), which features custom-made formal wear and wedding gowns, DM by D'Marsh, a ready-to-wear clothing line; and lifestyle products such as candles, body and bath, and cosmetics.

The pandemic was described as a Black Swan for the fashion industry. Black Swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity, their severe impact, and the widespread insistence they were apparent in retrospect. New York was not spared as one of the world's fashion capitals. Many companies faced bankruptcy. The impact on black designers was severe.

"Everyone thought I was crazy," March said, "I will never forget on March 14, 2020, when Covid hit, the first thing that came to my mind was, how am I going to keep the brand alive? And I said, what other talent do I have? I could teach fashion. The fashion masterclass in Ghana was created through Covid. I teach all the tricks, the trades. I decided to go where the restrictions were slightly lighter and chose Ghana.

I had one friend there, and I stayed in my apartment and built out the masterclass. I found a way to survive. I was booming. I went to Ghana and taught a masterclass in fashion for three years. That kept D'Marsh alive."

He added, "I'm very grounded. Like, this is the D'Marsh brand. This is the path for the brand, and I'm not going to detour over Covid or anything."

A Dollar and a Dream

March started his dream of being a fashion designer twenty years ago. "I was 13 years old, and it was Career Day. And the teacher asks me, what do you want to become? And I said I want to make people beautiful. And he said, in clothes or makeup? I said clothes."

March said on his journey, "It was a dream on a dollar. So, I want to really let people know that I did not have what we call in Jamaica, a gold spoon in my mouth or what we say in America. I'm from a middle-class family, so I did not have the money or the income to go ahead and do what I did. So I keep dreaming and figuring it out. As I told someone just a while ago, hey, in Jamaica, you have to make things work." And work it did.

This year, March is celebrating his 20th year in the fashion industry. He has published a coffee table book to commemorate his 20th Anniversary. House of D'Marsh had its genesis in the Spring of 2003 when March launched his Spring collection during Caribbean Fashion Week in Jamaica's capital city, Kingston.

This start gave rise to the pursuit of a passion by the talented Jamaican who would later stun audiences locally and internationally.

Entrepreneurship comes with risks and rewards. March felt that doing something was better than nothing. "As an entrepreneur, you have to take risks. You have to be bold and know what's important to you so you can work around that. So, as you notice, I don't dwell on the negative or the obstacles. I don't worry about what people have to say. Staying in New York, I couldn't do anything; nothing was open. I decided to leave while I could. If you analyze too much, you will never achieve anything. So, I want to get that clear. So, I was not focused on the negative or the impossible. Of course, I did my homework."

When Life Gives You Lemons, You Make Lemonade; When Covid-19 Happens, You Make Masks

Before going to Ghana, Marsh produced masks. He shared how clients and friends bought masks to support him. He presented healthcare workers at Brooklyn Hospital with a donation of masks to thank them for their service. The staff expressed their gratitude to the Jamaican-born designer adding that the fashionable masks would undoubtedly add color and brighten their day.

"Pivoting, I started producing masks," he said." And now it's part of it. And you know what? The online store works. People buy cosmetics, and bow ties, too, because people still have things at home. When you have relationships with your clients, those relationships will ensure that you stay alive. So, I had clients that would buy 20 masks and give them to their friends. But I know, really, they're just making sure that I stayed alive because nobody wants 20. So again, if you build that relationship and stay grounded, no matter if another Covid comes or another thing, to me, Covid was just another day in my world because you're always going to face challenges."

The Challenge for Designers of Color

In March 2020, the coronavirus caused a full-scale lockdown in New York. Many industries faced the brunt of Covid-19, the fashion industry among them. Many companies struggled during the pandemic. Some collapsed. "Covid-19 brought financial uncertainty and insecurity, and spending on fashion apparel quickly decreased," said Marian Zengel, assistant teaching professor and coordinator of Bowling Green State University's top-ranked apparel merchandising and product development program.

For many black fashion designers, the impact was severe.

"The impact on the industry ... is very devastating," said TJ Walker, co-founder of Crosscolours founded in 1989, and the Black Design Collective (www.Blackdesigncollective.com). The organization's mission is to help creatives of color navigate the fashion industry. Walker discussed the black fashion industry and the challenges of moving forward.

Walker has over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry and has been an educator for over 20 years. His cofounders include Angela Dean, a designer for stars such as Patty Labelle, Kevin Hall, design and creative director of Halston, and Ruth E. Carter, who made history in 2019 as the first black woman to win an Oscar for costume design. She now has two Oscars, winning another Academy award this year for her work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

According to a House Committee on Small Business report, the number of working Black entrepreneurs declined 40 percent with the Covid-19 lockdown, a more considerable drop than other ethnic groups.

One of the challenges for small businesses was applying for funding, an area the Black Design Collective assisted with. "We created workshops to help

them and guide them to those funding streams (such as Small Business Administration grants) to guide them to potential funding for their businesses and even the government subsidies and all the other things that were accessible. We guided them through the application process and those kinds of things. We helped creatives amass, to date, over $2 million in funding and grants because we didn't have the funds within our organization, but we can guide them to the funds, which we feel very good about," Walker explained.

Walker added, "If anyone's in the fashion industry and the garment industry as well, or just the economy in general right now, it's really tough for retailers, and it's really tough for those that are trying to actually go into the fashion industry and do business as well. But we want to see how we can help sustain and help those willing to go through it. And we're doing that quite well by introducing our education and training or classes that we're launching this summer at our Creative Center in downtown Los Angeles. The classes are available online as well."

Moving Forward

In the aftermath of the pandemic, what's next for the fashion industry and black designers in particular?

Walker explained the direction he would like fashion designers to take is based on financial literacy and business strategy. "Business structure and business development as well," Walker explained. "And then also international business and how to be self-sustained by setting up your own business. And I mean your own business in terms of sales, which means that your website or other web sales are the things you navigate to with your business, with the business in general. Even for designers of color, I think it's very important for you

continued on page 20

Glenroy March, House of D’Marsh. Photo courtesy Glenroy March

TJ Walker, The Black Design Collective

What Happens in Our Brain and Body When We’re in Love?

BY THERESA LARKIN & SUSAN J. THOMAS, THE CONVERSATION

Love dominates our popular culture and is the subject of countless songs, movies, and works of literature and art. But what’s happening in our body when we feel love?

Love is difficult to define, but can be described as an intense feeling of deep affection. At the most basic level, science sees love as a cocktail of chemicals released by the brain.

From an evolutionary perspective, romantic love evolved from the primitive animal drive to find and keep preferred mates. Love keeps people bonded and committed to one another, to raise children through infancy. This ensures our species will continue to reproduce, survive and thrive.

However, romantic love is not just about reproduction. Some argue we should consider love a motivation, like hunger, thirst, sleep or sex.

What happens when someone initially falls in love?

Falling in love typically begins when

someone starts to see another person as special and unique.

The initial phase of falling in love is an extreme neurobiological state, characterised by heightened responses and high passion. Lust and attraction are driven by the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, as motivations for sex.

Specific areas of the brain are activated when you fall in love, in particular the limbic system and the reward centres. The limbic system has key roles in emotion and memory. This causes a positive mood and explains why the memories

associated with new love are so strong.

There is also an increase in dopamine and noradrenaline. Dopamine stimulates the reward pathways and increases motivation and obsessive thoughts and behaviours to pursue the love interest. Noradrenaline causes the feelings of euphoria, and the physiological responses of a faster heart rate, butterflies in the stomach and increased energy.

At the same time, other brain areas are deactivated. Reduced activity in the frontal cortex reduces negative emotions

and judgements. This explains why initially people may be blind to faults in the person they are in love with.

But while you might be feeling less judgement, there is also increased cortisol, stress and feelings of insecurity in the early phase of falling in love.

How does romantic love change over time?

The initial phase of falling in love and intense infatuation lasts for several months.

During the next phase, there is increased intimacy, commitment and attachment. This is driven by the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. Oxytocin helps us feel safe and secure after the initial high cortisol and stress of the uncertainty and risk of falling in love. Vasopressin promotes behaviours of vigilance and being territorial and self-protective.

Between oxytocin and vasopressin there is a balance of connecting with others while also protecting the person you are in love with and yourself.

Oxytocin is often called the “hormone continued on page 20

Memories of early love are strong because the brain’s limbic system is activated.

Oxytocin helps us feel safe and secure.

Oxytocin plays a role in our love for pets, too.

of love” because it facilitates the formation of social bonds and connections. However, new research in animal models suggests oxytocin is not essential for lifelong pair-bonding as previously thought. Sexual activity is distinct from love, but it does reinforce attachment. When we touch, kiss or have sex, oxytocin and vasopressin are released, which promotes love and commitment between a couple.

Years into a romantic relationship, there is often a period of transition from passionate love to companion love. High intimacy and commitment help to sustain this love. Some relationships end at this time because of the reduced passion, while other couples remain in the passionate love phase for decades.

What about non-romantic love?

Beyond its role in romantic love, oxytocin is important in all forms of love, including with family, friends and even pets. Positive social relationships and oxytocin have many benefits on human health, wellbeing and longevity.

In our research, we have shown oxytocin is associated with better quality of life and healthier social connections, among people with and without depression.

So, for the love of your favourite person, people or pet(s), whoever they are, however long you love them for, and however many times you fall in love, relish loving and being loved.

Love might just be nature’s best chemical cocktail. But all the intricacies of the complex behaviour and emotion of love continue to elude science.l

to look at the actual groundwork and the actual playing field."

Before the pandemic, many designers grappled with their online presence. The pandemic proved to be a double-edged sword for some because they were forced to update their digital footprint. "You need to get up on your technology and ensure your website is very accessible," Walker said.

"The retail spaces are closing; they're shrinking because many are closing some of their locations. And so that means that as a designer, you need to look at yourself as being that source where people can come and purchase those goods.

"Mobile devices are something that really (are) important to your survival as well because most people have a phone. So, you must ensure your product can be accessed from a mobile device. And it's seamless, too, as well. And the experience needs to be nice and seamless for anyone wanting to participate and be a part of what you're doing."

Walker also talked about the need for fashion designers, especially black fashion designers, to address social justice, climate change, and sustainable fashion in their work. "You need to be more than just someone trying to sell clothes too. It needs to be something that is a give-back or something where you're addressing

things like the nature of the environment or being sustainable. These kinds of things, too, attract consumers in terms of different niches and could make you have a larger stake in trying to get people to navigate to your brand."

Words of Wisdom

Walker described his vision for people of color in the fashion industry. "I really want us to think globally as a culture and as a people because we're all over the world. And we must address the fact that we're all over the world. We're all colors, and we also have different colors to contribute to the fashion world, the fabrics of the fashion world, the textures, and all those different things. And look at that and see how we can market amongst ourselves in terms of creating wealth that serves to create a legacy in the industry for us. And those are the things, and I want us to get on the ground level of the industry where we're the ones growing the raw materials, whether it's hemp or in manufacturing those things, too," he said.l

This story was produced as part of the Small Business Reporting Fellowship, organized by the Center for Community Media and funded by the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.

Listen to the podcasts of Glenroy March and TJ Walker on www.anchor.fm/businessmatterstoday

Understanding Workplace Accidents and How an Attorney Can Help

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

Nobody expects to be injured on the job, but it happens to thousands of people every year. There are many dangerous jobs out there, including construction work, agricultural work, steel working, and so much more however, even those who work in offices are injured yearly. You could become injured when driving to a location during work time. No matter how your workplace accident occurs, it is helpful to have an attorney on your side through it all.

Common Types of Work Injuries

The U.S. Department of Labor collects annual information concerning workplace injuries. According to their research, some of the most common types of work-related injuries include:

Overextension: This is typically referred to as one of the most common workplace injuries. When a worker pulls, pushes, or lifts objects, they are at risk of overextension. As a result, they could receive sprained and torn muscles, ten-

dons, and ligaments. Some of the most serious injuries, like disk herniations in the back, may occur.

Repetitive Motion: Repetitive motion injuries are caused by repeatedly making the same motions in the workplace, such as jobs involving typing. These injuries can affect the shoulder and neck, wrists, and even a person's vision. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common repetitive motion injuries.

Slips and Falls: These injuries usually

occur when debris or fluids are left on the floor. They can result in serious injuries like those to the head, bone fractures, and torn ligaments.

Falling Objects: Especially in the construction workplace, falling objects can cause trauma. Objects may fall from product shelves, ladders, forklifts, and more. This could result in head, face, neck, and feet injuries.

Moving Vehicle Accidents: If a worker must drive a company vehicle like a

MTA Procurement

The MTA encourages vendors who have not done business with us to register for our bidders list using MY MTA Portal for vendors at www.mymta.info. Registered vendors can search for procurement opportunities across all MTA agencies and receive invitations to bid or propose on the types of goods and services they can provide.

Certified minority and women-owned businesses (M/WBE), service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOB), and disadvantaged businesses (DBE), are strongly encouraged to compete for MTA opportunities. Visit our website at https://new.mta.info/ doing-business-with-us for detailed information and guidelines.

truck, car, or van during work, they are at risk of moving vehicle accidents. They can occur anywhere, including on highways or in a parking lot.

What to do After an Accident

There are some steps that you can take to protect your legal rights after an accident in the workplace. The first thing that you should always do is receive medical attention, especially if it is an emergency. If an employer suggests a doctor to you and you are unhappy with the outcome, you may ask the employer if you can see another doctor. In most cases, you will be entitled to a second opinion, even if you must pay for it yourself. Depending on the extent of your injuries, it may be worth it!

You should always make an accident report not only for your employer to investigate the situation that caused your accident but also to assert your rights as soon as possible. This could work as a preventative measure to save the health of other employees in the future as well as protect you. The employer must then take measures to file a workers' compensation claim with their insurance company on your behalf. When you report the injury, this can take place.

Determining Liability

No matter who was at fault for your injury, you will be eligible for workers' compensation under the laws. For instance, what should you expect if your employer failed to provide you with the correct equipment for a job and you fell? Or what if a third party left a liquid on the floor, and you slipped and fell? In these situations, you will still be covered by workers' compensation.

In fact, workers' comp benefits will still cover you even if you have contributed to your accident. For example, if you improperly use a machine despite your training and are injured, you will still receive workers' comp benefits. However, you should not expect to receive these benefits if you intentionally inflicted the injury, were intoxicated, or violated a company safety policy. You could then find that your compensation is reduced.

How an Attorney Can Help

If you have been injured and begun the workers' compensation process, it is complicated and has trials along the way. Even though they are legitimate, workers' compensation claims will often be denied by employers or insurance carriers, which means that you will have to go through an appeals process. You want to avoid facing this process on your own, so you should have an experienced attorney who understands the workers' comp laws in New York. Contact the Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates. Call 855-7688845 or schedule an appointment at www.askthelawyer.usl