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Vol. 117 No. 11 | March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW BLACK VIEW
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THE FUTURE OF NIL WHERE DOES THE STUDENT ATHLETE MONEY GAME GO FROM HERE? (See story on page 6)
(AmNews / Amanda Ulloa collage)
2 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
City shutting down historic 30th Street intake shelter
DIGITAL, BRANDED CONTENT & HYBRID ADVERTISING MANAGER Ali Milliner (347) 350-4316 Ali.Milliner@AmsterdamNews.com
the 30th Street location to redirect people to the new intake locations, she said. City officials first confirmed the closure to Gothamist. Word has spread in recent days among staff and residents of the upcoming closure, people told THE CITY Wednesday. “We weren’t even told officially. The staff is in limbo,” one longtime Department of Homeless Services employee told THE CITY on Wednesday, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to speak to reporters. Several shelter residents told THE CITY they had learned about the closure from workers and other residents, while some said they were told to sign transfer notices saying they’d be moved to another shelter location. One transfer notice reviewed by THE CITY said the person would be sent to a shelter in Gowanus, but didn’t say on 30th Street Men’s Shelter was first stop for homeless people seeking housing. what date they had to leave. (Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY photo) Corey Sims, 32, said he’d just come to By GWYNNE HOGAN to Sneha Choudhary, a spokesperson for intake this week and got assigned to the THE CITY Mayor Zohran Mamdani. 30th Street shelter. He’d thought he would The building is in dire need of renova- be there for a month, but when he got to This story was originally published by THE CITY. tions. At its peak, it had the capacity for 850 his dorm upstairs, they told him to sign anshelter beds, but far fewer men had been other piece of paper telling him he’d have to New York City’s Department of Homeless living there due to deteriorating conditions leave in two weeks. Services is shutting down Manhattan’s mas- in sections of the building that were shut “That’s upsetting,” Sims said. He was worsive 30th Street Shelter — the main intake down, Choudhary said. The administration ried that documentation of his stay would location for men and adult families enter- is still considering its plans for the building get lost when he moved and he’d have to reing the city’s behemoth shelter system for and whether it needs to be demolished or start the assessment process again before more than 40 years. can be renovated, she said. he’d be able to get a longer-term shelter The remaining 250 residents of the hulkThe city plans to relocate intake for men to bed. “Now you’re postponing what I’m here ing nine-story brick building, built in 1931, an existing shelter on East 3rd Street, while to accomplish.” will be moved out by mid-March, while intake for adult families will be moved to a In a joint statement from the Coalition intake operations for men and adult fam- shelter on Bowery, Choudhary said. for the Homeless and the Legal Aid Society, ilies will be relocated by April, according After the closure, some staff will remain at See 30TH STREET SHELTER on page 36
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Elected officials want to tax corporate house flippers to protect Black and Brown homes
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By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff Several members of the city council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus (BLAC) are pushing for the state to pass the End Toxic Home Flipping Act — a tax on corporations and wealthy investors who quickly buy and resell homes in Black and Brown communities. Essentially, home flipping is when small family homes are purchased by professional investors with big real estate backers. They buy a property cheaply, remodel it, and then sell it for quick profit at a high price point. According to a 2024 report from the Pratt Center for Community Development, this industry is largely concentrated in the city’s communities of color and neighborhoods with low- and moderateincome residents, eventually driving up housing prices and contributing to racial displacement in those vulnerable areas. “Wealthy and corporate investors are buying up homes, usually in historically marginalized neighborhoods, and flipping them for quick, huge profits. It’s a toxic practice that is driving up the cost of homes and rent, pricing out long-term residents,
Stock photo of abandoned houses in New York City. (Pexels/Saraowar Hussain)
and harming too many Black homeowning communities,” said State Senator Julia Salazar, who sponsored the bill, in a statement. “Families and homeowners deserve to live in their communities without the fear of being displaced — they deserve the End Toxic Home Flipping Act.”
Salazar’s bill would impose a tax on companies buying residential properties that are sold within two years and on the transfer of certain properties sold for $1 million or more. Some exemptions to the tax, like property owners selling to another family See HOUSE FLIPPERS on page 35
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 3
State prison populations are steadily declining, but they’re also getting older By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News staff Last month, Greg Mingo, a formerly incarcerated activist, was enlisted to advocate for Morris Grady, who, at age 71, was serving a sentence in Ulster County’s Eastern Correctional Facility. He immediately agreed to pen a letter, but Grady died a day later. “[His wife] asked me Thursday, and he passed away Friday,” recalled Mingo. COVID-19 renewed public attention on incarcerated elders, given the pandemic’s disproportionate risk for seniors and the underreported spread in New York State prisons. Advocates pointed to such conditions when they successfully pushed then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2021 to grant clemency to Mingo, who is now 73. The Harlemite long maintained his innocence while serving out what criminal justice reformers call “death by incarceration.” “When COVID came into the system itself, we were locked down,” said Mingo. “They kept you in the cell. If somebody came down with COVID or went to the clinic and they suspected that it might be COVID, they would put them in a cell and isolate them. They didn’t have their property access to nothing and then trying to get a shower [or] anything [else] was bad.
Greg Mingo (center) leads a protest. (Courtesy of the Release Aging People in Prison campaign)
“So people didn’t report that they were sick because they knew what was waiting for them. They figured they could handle it and stay in the cell. And as a result, COVID was so easy to spread inside prison.” Yet the average age in state prison remains on the rise just a few years after the pandemic’s peak, found State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli in a report published last month. All while the total incarcerated population steadily dips. From 2006 to 2025, the state prison population for people between the ages 30-49 plummeted from 34,565 to 18,454. Within the same time frame, the state prison population for people ages 60+ grew from 1,698 to 2,836. “The share of older people in New York’s prisons has grown over time,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “We need careful evaluation of policies related to sentencing, parole, compassionate release, geriatric and health costs, and reentry support for this older population to determine an approach that ensures public safety and protects taxpayers, while reducing incarceration where warranted.” His findings included how the state releases older incarcerated individuals at lower rates than the total population, See STATE PRISON on page 25
Black unemployment remains highest among all racial categories with February jump in joblessness By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff The jobless rate among African Americans has consistently been higher than that of white workers and, in the latest jobs report, that has not changed. Unemployment rose again in February among Black people, and continues to be the highest among all racial groups in the U.S. The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. For that month, the Black unemployment rate rose to 7.7% — higher than the rates for whites (3.7%), Latinos (5.2%), and Asians (4.8%). It was noticeably higher than in February 2025, when Black unemployment was 6.0%, a gap of 1.7 percentage points, according to Dr. Gabrielle Smith Finnie, a senior policy analyst with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, which tracks jobs data for Black communities. “The fluctuations in the labor market and job growth really do create instability for the workforce and disproportionately impact Black workers,” said Dr. Smith Finnie.
InvestorsObserver graphic shows that workers have to work more just to afford their lifestyles. (InvestorsObserver)
Overall statistics showed that the average hourly earnings of workers who do have jobs increased 0.4% monthly and 3.8% yearly, outpacing inflation — but according to a recent InvestorsObserver study, those increased earnings don’t go that far, and people have to work harder than ever to afford basic necessities. “[P]eople nationwide now have to work up to 25 extra days a year just to cover rent, groceries, and save for a used car — time stolen from vacations, kids’ soccer games, and weekends off,” the study said. “In 2007, the average American earned $20.75 per hour. By 2025, that figure had risen to an average of roughly $34.35 per hour — a 65.6% increase that, on paper, sounds significant. “The problem is that the cost of basic necessities didn’t just rise 65.6%. They ran far ahead of it.” In the New York area, the financial news website InvestorsObserver.com found that workers are having to labor an extra 18.4 days a year just to be able to afford their housing. It also found that average hourly earnings increased by 38.6% from 2007 See UNEMPLOYMENT on page 25
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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday sees worries about future of voting rights and calls to action
People march over Edmund Pettus Bridge on 61st Bloody Sunday Anniversary, Sunday, Mar. 8, 2026, in Selma, Ala. (Mike Stewart/AP photo)
By KIM CHANDLER Associated Press
toward the state capital of Montgomery. Mauldin, then 17, was part of the third pair behind Williams and Lewis. SELMA, Ala. (AP) — Last weekend, 61 years At the apex of the bridge, they could see after state troopers attacked civil rights the sea of law enforcement officers, includmarchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in ing some on horseback, waiting for them — Selma, thousands gathered in the Alabama but they kept going. “It wasn’t that we didn’t city amid new concerns about the future of have fear; it’s that we chose courage over the Voting Rights Act. fear,” Mauldin recalled. The March 7, 1965, violence that became known as Bloody Sunday shocked the nation Calling for renewed action and helped spur the passage of the landmark Former and current Democratic officelegislation that dismantled barriers to voting holders, civil rights leaders, and tourists defor Black Americans in the Jim Crow South. scended on Selma this past Sunday to pay The anniversary was celebrated in this city homage to the pivotal moment in the Civil that served as a crucible for the voting rights Rights Movement and issue calls to action. movement, with events through the week- Speakers warned of the looming court deciend ending with a commemorative march sion and criticized the Trump administraacross the bridge on Sunday. However, the tion’s actions on immigration and its efforts commemoration came as the U.S. Supreme to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion. Court considers a case that could limit a Standing at the pulpit of the historic Tabprovision of the Voting Rights Act that has ernacle Baptist Church, Maryland Gov. helped ensure some congressional and local Wes Moore, said that, like the marchers on districts are drawn so minority voters have Bloody Sunday, they must press forward. a chance to elect their candidate of choice. “Years after Bloody Sunday, the progress “I’m concerned that all of the advances that stemmed from that sacrifice is now that we made for the last 61 years are going to being rolled back right in our faces,” Moore be eradicated,” said Charles Mauldin, 78, one said. He is the nation’s only Black governor of the marchers beaten on Bloody Sunday. currently in office. In 1965, the Bloody Sunday marchers, led “We are choosing this fight because those by John Lewis and Hosea Williams, walked who marched across the Edmund Pettus in pairs across the Selma bridge headed Bridge deserve better than us cowering while
the freedoms that we inherited and they fought for are being ripped away,” Moore said. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, speaking at a rally at the foot of the bridge, said racism is on the rise in America and “Trump’s Supreme Court is gutting the Voting Rights Act.” “Let’s march forward today with the knowledge that we are the inheritors of the faith that brought marchers to the bridge 61 years ago. It is now on us to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice,” Pritzker said. The annual commemoration in Selma is a mix of civil rights remembrances, church services, and a street festival filled with vendors and food trucks. It is also part political rally with an eye on November’s midterm elections and a longer view to the 2028 presidential race. The commemoration included a tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate who regularly attended the annual Selma march. He died on February 17 at age 84. Yusef Jackson said his father’s legacy will be carried forward. “In November, we will go back to the polls and take our government back, setting our country on the right path,” Jackson said. The looming court decision cast a shadow over the festivities. Justices are expected to rule soon on a Louisiana case about the role of race in drawing congressional dis-
tricts. A ruling prohibiting or limiting that role could have sweeping consequences, potentially opening the door for Republican-controlled states to redistrict and roll back majority Black and Latino districts that tend to favor Democrats. U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures won election in 2024 to an Alabama district that was redrawn by a federal court to give Black voters a greater voice. His district is likely to be targeted if the state gets the opportunity to redraw lines. He said what happened in Selma and the subsequent passage of the Voting Rights Act “was monumental in shaping what America looks like and how America is represented in Congress.” A crowd of several thousand filed behind elected officials on this Sunday for the march across the bridge, this time protected by state law enforcement officers. James and Dianne Reynolds drove from Montgomery for the event. James Reynolds, now 79, was a high school student in Selma and worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee helping to set up demonstrations in Selma. He said he sees echoes of the past in efforts to restrict voting, such as curtailing mail-in voting and absentee voting. “When you look at what’s going on today, we’re still fighting for the right to vote,” Reynolds said.
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 5
Jessica Spaulding: A sweet dream made of chocolate at home in Harlem By JASON PONTEROTTO Special to the AmNews Becoming a pioneer in any industry or space carries unique challenges, especially as a Black woman entrepreneur. But for Jessica Spaulding, a love of what she creates, namely chocolate, but more than anything, a love of Harlem, is driving her to find a way to meet those challenges. Spaulding, 38, is the CEO, co-founder, and inspiration behind Harlem Chocolate Factory, Harlem’s only chocolate maker. She and her close friend from Spelman College, Asha Dixon, launched the company in 2015. Located in Striver’s Row, their signature chocolate bars are shaped like brownstones, reflecting Harlem and Black culture, and they even once made Oprah’s Favorite Things List. The storefront is currently closed while they raise money and restructure, and experiment with ways to secure a larger space. Currently, their chocolate can be purchased at the Studio Museum or Harlem and NiLu. Spaulding says the business has always suffered from its own popularity, and at this rate, would need to make 1,000 of their signature chocolate bars a day to keep up with demand. She ultimately realized that they can no longer attempt to sustain the business alone without turning to the community for support. “My business is bigger than that shop.
I need more space. I am literally in there being suffocated,” Spaudling said. She wants there to be more education in the community about how important access to capital is to growing a Black business and understanding the barriers in place. Harlem is home Spaulding is a lifelong Harlemite and carries the spirit of 111th Street and Lenox, where she grew up, throughout her life. “It was really a communal upbringing,” Spaulding said. “For me, Harlem is home.” Having been on a restrictive diet as a child, Spaulding grew to have a love of chocolate, something she and her mother shared. Every year, she would even attend shows like Salon du Chocolat, an international chocolate event. In these spaces, she noticed there were never any faces that looked like hers. She also saw how different chocolate makers were able to package and communicate their culture through this medium. But she could relate to it because, since she was a kid, Spaulding had been making small batches of chocolate and baking. Growing up, though, the idea of being a Black woman entrepreneur was never encouraged or presented as a possibility, Spaulding said. “The way that it was told to me, (entrepreneurship) was a side hustle, something you See BNY on page 27
Black
New Yorker
Jessica Spaulding in her shop, Harlem Chocolate Factory. She is turning to the community for support as the business is restructured and looks to chart a new path. (Courtesy of Jessica Spaulding)
On Medicare?
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Call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) and ask about Medicare enrollment assistance.
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NIL Deals are now a billion-dollar business – but where does it go from here? By LOIS ELFMAN AmNews Sports Writer and JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Name, image and likeness deals, commonly known as NIL, are seemingly approaching a crossroads. In 2021, the NCAA adopted a policy allowing all athletes to earn money through their personal brand by signing endorsement deals, including being featured in advertisements and social media, selling personal merchandise, and more. The aftershocks have reshaped the landscape of high school and college athletics, as less than one year later, individual states began to establish NIL laws granting high school athletes the right to monetize their name, image, and likeness. As of today, over 40 of the country’s 50 states permit high school athletes to benefit from NIL. Additionally, in the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Ann Wilken approved a broad deal in June 2025 that enables all NCAA schools to share revenue with athletes. As of last July, direct payments can be made to them for an amount up to 22% of an athletic department’s revenue. For most schools, much of it would be notably generated from media rights deals. The cap for this academic year is $20.5 million per institution. The settlement, coupled with NIL changes, has led those who study the market to project that collective compensation to college and high school athletes could exceed $6 billion by 2030. Getting political The reverberations were felt at the White House last Friday when President Donald Trump hosted a group of nearly 50 highly influential figures, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, House Speaker Mike Johnson, media executives, professional sports executives, college commissioners, and coaches, to “fix” issues, notably NIL, that he contended are negatively impacting college sports. At the Saving College Sports Roundtable – at which no student-athletes were present – Trump asserted that college sports are a “mess” and declared, “I will have an executive order within one week. … The amount of money being spent and lost by otherwise very successful schools is astounding just in a short period of time,” said Trump. “It’s only going to get worse. We have to save college sports, and I believe colleges. If Congress doesn’t take action fast, it could destroy college sports.” His vow could be more bluster and pandering than prescriptive. But Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said he would push Congress to pass the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and
Quarterback DJ Lagway in a promotional shoot for Red Bull. (Robert Snow/Red Bull Content Pool)
Endorsements (SCORE) Act, which would place NIL laws under singular federal legislation and end state-by-state regulations. But that has come under criticism by many student-athlete advocates for its lack of Title IX protections. NIL becoming more complex Meanwhile, with the NCAA tournament getting underway on March 17, college sports fans and pundits are wondering where this is all going. Discussions about NIL pop up everywhere as people examine it. In February, Vanderbilt University hosted its third annual Sports and Activism Symposium. Among the panel discussions was “Race, Gender and the Economics of College Athletics.” “My focus was on what my research has been, which is the valuation of student-athletes, especially Black female athletes…if we’re relying on NIL and the market to determine what their value is,” says Ajah HawleyAlexander, one of the panelists. “When we align that with social media, which is where a bulk of NIL deals come from, then we are further entrenching those inequities.”
When looking at student-athletes as influencers, Black creators are paid less, noted Hawley-Alexander. “If we are not necessarily putting in the guardrails…within collegiate athletics as we look at Black student-athletes specifically and throw money in the mix and NIL and heightened attention and those types of things, we’re going to continue to see those inequities persist,” she said. Hawley-Alexander, a Clinical Lecturer in the Media & Strategic Communication Department at Iona University, explained that if the earnings of student-athletes from revenue sharing become public, that can lead to tensions with professors and other students. Last week, KCUR in Kansas City published an article outlining this very issue at the University of Kansas. Its author, Sam Zeff, noted, “For years, KU Athletics transferred money to the rest of the university. Now, with a projected $15 million deficit this fiscal year, that payment is gone.”
deals that draw headlines, football dominates. Research shows that among the top 10 names in these deals by income, nine of them are football players. The lone men’s basketball player is AJ Dybantsa of the BYU Cougars. No female student-athletes were on the list. The top female student-athlete NIL earners come predominantly from basketball and gymnastics. Basketball star Azzi Fudd of the reigning NCAA Champion University of Connecticut recently announced deals with Geico and the Jordan Brand. Having a large number of followers on Instagram and TikTok typically translates to NIL valuations. Fudd currently has 719,000 Instagram followers, JuJu Watkins of USC (not playing this year while recovering from a torn ACL) has 1.1 million, and Flau’jae Johnson of LSU has 2 million. On the other hand, quarterback DJ Lagway, previously with the Florida Gators and now with the Baylor Bears, has only 108,000 Instagram followers and a reported decline in income, but The biggest players is still projected to have earnings similar to NIL and its many iterations remain a or slightly more than those of these three work in progress. When it comes to the big See story on next page
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 7
Azzi Fudd recently signed with the Jordan Brand. (Jordan Brand)
“Fans aren’t necessarily following institutions, organizations or teams at the same social media mavens. rate as they used to. They’re looking for the “Male student-athletes get paid based on athlete because they’re following the aththeir prowess in their sport; women stu- letes a lot sooner. … Now, there’s an oppordent-athletes do not — it’s more beauty,” tunity for student-athletes participating in said Hawley-Alexander, who previously NIL to be able to market themselves beworked with the New York Liberty and the cause there is an appetite for fans who want Westchester Knicks. “You see the difference to get that content.” in the types of deals that they get.” Individual deals still exist in small Making the math work amounts — anywhere from $100 for a social There are still collectives, which are thirdmedia post to a few thousand dollars for an party organizations — typically alumni or appearance — and many student-athletes other supporters of a specific college or uniadopt an entrepreneurial mindset to earn versity — that come together to create NIL the money. opportunities for student-athletes. Since The NCAA Legacy Lab held earlier this revenue sharing began last year as a result month helped Division I sophomore and of the House v. NCAA case, people involved junior student-athletes explore entrepre- in college sports have expressed concern neurship while they are still competing. for non-revenue generating sports, espeOne of the topics addressed was “Brand in cially Olympic sports like track and field, Motion: Explore how to monetize your name, swimming, diving, and fencing, which rely image and likeness responsibly and effective- on the collegiate system as a crucial trainly.” About 50 student-athletes participated. ing ground for American athletes. But it still “Fandom is shifting,” said Hawley-Alex- all comes down to dollars and cents. ander, who led the workshop Market Like Not only are athletes, both female and a Boss and helped develop the Legacy Lab. See NIL on page 27 Continued from previous page
Ajah Hawley-Alexander of Iona University at the NCAA Legacy Lab. (Courtesy of Ajah Hawley-Alexander)
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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
What you should know about the suspected ‘ISIS-inspired’ attack outside Gracie Mansion By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News staff Two suspects charged with throwing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a protest at Gracie Mansion voluntarily told law enforcement their March 7 attack stemmed from support of the Islamic State (IS) terror organization. Federal prosecutors say Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, both of Pennsylvania, threw the IEDs during an anti-Islamic demonstration. The suspected explosives did not detonate and did not injure anyone present. The two now face up to life in prison if convicted, officials say. Here are some facts gathered by the AmNews so far from official sources: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, reside at the mansion, but were not there at the time of the attack. “Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS,” said Mamdani in a statement. “They should be held fully accountable for their actions. We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city.”
a larger number of counterprotesters. According to the Justice Department, Balat and Kayumi allegedly tossed one device into a rally and another at nearby NYPD officers. They were both arrested shortly afterward. Officials say the alleged explosives were the size of a mason jar, with an attached fuse on top. A preliminary analysis found the first device allegedly contained TATP, an explosive commonly found in IEDs. A third suspected device was later recovered in a car registered under a family member of Balat’s. Police also found a notebook with writings about TATP in the vehicle. The NYPD performed controlled detonations of the suspected IEDs, which “revealed a significant explosion.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters that the two suspects did not have a previous criminal record. According to Tisch, Balat and Kayumi allegedly arrived in New York City roughly just an hour before police arrested them for the attack, according to a George Washington Bridge license reader ping. DOJ photo of Gracie Mansion attacker. (U.S. Department of Justice photo) The NYPD redirected press inquiries to the Southern District of New York, which The attack took place during an anti- activist and pardoned Jan. 6 rioter Jake will prosecute the case, and did not return Muslim demonstration led by right-wing Lang. Though poorly attended, it attracted calls for a request to comment.
Mamdani administration’s $50 million parks investment includes St. Nicholas Park playground By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News staff New York City plans to put the “green” in “green space.” On March 5, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura were set to announce $50 million toward 10 parks, including Harlem’s St. Nicholas Park, through the city’s “equitydriven” Community Parks Initiative (CPI). They predict that more than 100,000 New Yorkers will benefit from this investment. “For many New Yorkers, the park is their backyard — a place where they can play a game of pickup basketball, hold a picnic on the grass, or kick a ball with their kids,” said Mamdani. “These New Yorkers know the difference between a park in disarray and a park that city government has invested in. That is why, today, we are proud to announce $50 million worth of capital investments to 10 parks across the city — investments that will allow more than 100,000 New Yorkers in all five boroughs to experience a healthier, cleaner, and more accessible city.” The city will specifically fund St. Nicholas Playground at W. 133rd St., one of two Manhattan green spaces getting this money for a refresh (Lower East Side’s Vladeck Park is the other). The site is between Hamilton
between 2016 and 2022. “Urban parks are increasingly being recognized around the world as crucial for the well-being of citizens. It is exciting to see that [the] CPI has been successful at improving the level of satisfaction and usage of neighborhood parks throughout the city,” said Terry Huang, professor of public health at CUNY SPH. “Importantly, the park renovations created the necessary conditions for New Yorkers to benefit from using these parks in terms of their health and well-being. We are fortunate in New York to have such strong leadership and efforts to continue improving the park spaces in local communities through the expansion of [the] CPI.” The CPI dates back to 2014 and bankrolls the reconstruction of local parks in “historically neglected” neighborhoods. The renovation includes the community during the design process. The city boasts 70 completed CPI projects, with another Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani releases Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Preliminary Budget at City 47 in progress (in addition to the new 10), Hall. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office photo) with the Mamdani administration pointing to the Bronx’s Jennie Jerome PlayHeights and Manhattanville next, to the In addition, research by the City Uni- ground facelift last year. That park, which City College campus. Other locations se- versity Graduate School of Public Health overlooks the Cross Bronx Expressway, relected for funding include Brownsville’s Van & Health Policy (CUNY SPH) credit- ceived new equipment and substantial Dyke and Mott Haven’s Fountain of Youth ed improved mental health and growing plantings of greenery to lower heat and playgrounds. weekday park usage to CPI investments block out noise from the nearby traffic.
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 9
NJ students restore the names of Black Revolutionary War soldiers By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Trenton, N.J., high school students recently created a project that honors the role African Americans played in the founding of the United States. As members of Foundation Academies’ Black Student Union (BSU), they developed “Men W/O Shoes,” a multimedia exhibit that recognizes 14 African American Revolutionary War soldiers who fought in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. The “Men W/O Shoes” project started when Mark Herr, a Princeton Battlefield Society board member, asked if Foundation Academies students wanted to research 14 African American Revolutionary War soldiers who had been identified as having participated in the Trenton-Princeton campaign. When they got the names of the soldiers, BSU advisors Casey Scott and Earl Wallace had to plan how to make the project appealing to students. “Earl and I, we are a tag team, and we were just thinking about, like, how do we make this a phenomenal project?” said Scott. “So, he was the main person doing the research; he literally sat in these classes, teaching these students the basics of research from Google Scholar, not using ChatGPT, not using Wikipedia. We went to the archives; we got library cards.” Scott explained they got in contact with John Mills, another researcher, who connected them to a living descendant of a soldier. “It was really this research project, which has multiple parts to it, that allowed us to step into a different hat than we had: teaching youth how to be researchers and teaching them skills, not just in the classroom, but the skills that they’re going to use in life,” said Scott Wallace, a doctoral student, and Scott, a school social worker, spent a year working
Stylized JET magazine cover photo of Cato Smith, who was stolen from Africa and enslaved in the Americas before enlisting in the Revolutionary War. (Foundation Academies Charter School photos)
with 30 BSU students in grades 9 through 12, and teaching them the fundamentals of academic research. They had the students pore through pension testimonies, military records, genealogical databases, and even visit the New Jersey State Archives to view microfilm reels and historical documents. The soldiers the students researched included Charles and James Ailstock, brothers from New Jersey’s free Black community who fought in several major battles, including Harlem Heights and Brandywine; Robert “Prince” Green, who was born into slavery but enlisted in regiments that promised freedom in exchange for his service; Oliver Cromwell, whose service earned him a Badge of Merit signed by George Washington, and who went on to become a landowner and community leader after the war;
Foundation Academies’ BSU students at the opening reception to their “Men W/O Shoes” multimedia exhibit.
and Cato Smith, who had been kidnapped from Africa and enslaved before enlisting, but died while serving in the military. Historians estimate that Black soldiers made up between 5% and 20% of the Continental Army. Many had to march barefoot through brutal Northeast winters. They fought in place of their enslavers who promised them freedom in exchange for their military service. So, for many of these men, the Revolutionary War fight was personal. Scott said that the students realized these soldiers were essentially placing their hopes for Black freedom on the establishment of the new nation. “During that time, the only reason why they were fighting was they were fighting for freedom,” Scott told the AmNews. “That’s it. Black men weren’t seen as anything during this time. And even
after they fought, some people were put back into slavery. Some were free men, but they ended up fighting for pensions; their families ended up fighting for pensions for years for the work they did. “What a lot of people have to understand is that these 14 men are the reason we have a Declaration of Independence, the reason we can celebrate the [United States’] 250th anniversary is because they fought. They fought with nothing. And to see what has come of this exhibition to bring a face and a name to the forefront of history, not just during the 100-year anniversary of Black History [Month], but during the 250th, it makes it land very differently when you say that there is no American history without Black history.” BSU students used technology to turn their research about 18th-century veterans into a platform 21st-century audiences could relate to. They created AI-generated monologues to imagine the soldiers’ voices and used the program Midjourney to develop portraits of the soldiers. They collaborated with Philadelphia visual artist Shaheed Rucker to display these portraits on stylized JET magazine covers. The “Men W/O Shoes” exhibition opened in February at the Morven Museum & Garden and featured a documentary about the students’ work in creating it. The research findings made by Foundation Academies’ Black Student Union will now be permanently preserved and included in the Princeton Battlefield Society’s digital encyclopedia. For the students of Foundation Academies, Scott said, the project’s impact goes far beyond the gallery walls. “They are historians now. They are authors of Black history, not just consumers of it. This isn’t about interpretation, it’s about truth. Putting names to faces. And making sure Black history is where it has always belonged — at the center of American history.”
BSU students collaborated with Philadelphia artist Shaheed Rucker to create portraits of 18th century Black Revolutionary War veterans, displayed on stylized JET magazine covers.
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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Union Matters 32BJ SEIU building workers enter contract talks with April deadline looming By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Contract talks between 32BJ SEIU and the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations (RAB) are reportedly off to a cordial start. The union is meeting with the group that represents residential building owners to negotiate a new agreement for more than 34,000 building service workers whose current contract ends on April 20. On March 5, negotiations began to cover the contracts for the porters, doorpersons, handypersons, superintendents, and resident managers who maintain thousands of apartments in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Both labor and management see these talks as important now, when rising housing costs, inflation, healthcare concerns, retirement security, and workforce stability have become top affordability issues. The last four-year industrywide contract for the union was ratified in 2022 during the COVID19 pandemic. It guaranteed fully employer-paid family healthcare, pension benefits, paid leave, and job training. “Every day, New Yorkers depend on 32BJ members for the most important part of their lives: their homes,” said Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ SEIU. “In a city that is often chaotic, our members work hard to make sure residents are safe, and their homes are clean and comfortable. They are a trusted resource in times of crisis, be it the recent snowstorms or the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, our members are fighting for the fair contract they need and deserve.” As the cost-of-living crisis worsens, Pastreich said, workers want to fight for a contract that preserves these protections. Maria Silva, a doorperson at a downtown Brooklyn apartment building, said rising costs in New York forced her to move to New Jersey several years ago. She said she wants the next contract to make it possible for working families to remain in New York City. RAB emphasized its long history of bargaining with the union; the building owners’ organization was formed in response to the 1934 32BJ elevator operator strike, which affected 400 buildings in
Contract talks between 32BJ SEIU and the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations (RAB) started on March 5. (32BJ SEIU photo)
what was then Manhattan’s garment district. The last residential building strike occurred in 1991. RAB also said it wants to reach a mutually agreeable agreement without labor disruption. In a statement, Howard Rothschild, president of RAB, said the first bargaining session was productive and part of a process that has supported middle‑class jobs for decades. “Last week, we held our first negotiation session with 32BJ and we look forward to continued productive meetings that will result in a fair and mutually agreeable resolution for both sides,” Rothschild said. “Over the next 42 days, the union and industry must come together to negotiate a contract that will provide for a sustainable future of the industry.” RAB has long argued that rising operational costs — such as insurance, utilities, and maintenance — must be balanced against workers’ demands. Industry representatives note that the average doorperson or porter earns approximately $62,000 annually, while total employer costs exceed $112,000 once benefits are included. For handypersons, total costs exceed $119,000, according to RAB figures. Union members say those figures don’t take into account the rent, food, transit, and utility costs 32BJ workers have to pay to be able to live near their jobs. Donald McCaffrey, a porter in Jackson Heights and member of the bargaining committee, said one of the issues most important to him
Derbert King, Queens building superintendent and 32BJ SEIU bargaining committee member, calls these the most crucial negotiations he’s participated in.
is comprehensive health care. He is living with chronic health issues, and the union contract has made regular medical testing possible, he said. “I need that covered — it would be too expensive to pay out of pocket.” Derbert King, a Queens build-
ing superintendent and bargaining committee member, told the Amsterdam News that the negotiations will take place in stages. The first round of meetings focuses on exchanging proposals rather than debating numbers. “We really don’t get down to any
ingredients until the third meeting,” King said, explaining that the union presented its priorities first, with management expected to respond later this month before substantive bargaining begins. King, who has participated in four contract negotiations, described this round as the most crucial yet. He pointed to soaring living costs and the importance of preserving fully employer‑paid health coverage and strengthening pensions. But he’s expecting RAB’s representatives to give some pushback: “We have it in every contract,” he said. “They have their conceptions of inflation and things of that nature, and we have ours, so it’s three sides to every story: our side, their side, and then what’s the facts? … We presented our proposal yesterday, they’re going to present their proposal [at] the next meeting, and at that point, we both do our research to find out where the facts are. From that point, you go from the facts and then you start negotiations.” King added, that “I think this is going to be the most crucial contract negotiation that I’ve ever done. … I think this is going to be the most crucial one because of the facts. Health care is number one. We have 100% health care, which we don’t pay into our premium on our health care, and we’re going to fight to keep that. Also, you have the cost of living: Cost of living has [gone] up dramatically, so we’re going to be pushing for a raise that reflects that cost of living.”
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March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 11
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Opinion Anthropic refuses to code-switch for Trump
EDITORIAL
For most Americans, the conflict between OpenAI and Anthropic may have little meaning and be far beyond any concern. But in the race among corporations to bring artificial intelligence to the masses, the contest has become increasingly contentious. And the Trump administration and the Pentagon are, as expected, critically involved in the outcome. Interestingly, the rivalry between these two Silicon Valley companies stems from a basic disagreement between the leaders, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei of Anthropic. Before leaving OpenAI, Amodei served as vice president of research. Many of you who spend time keeping up with the ins and outs of the tech industry and its key movers and shakers are well aware of these developments. At play in this drama is the extent to which the companies comply and capitulate to the Pentagon and its use of intelligence for its war machine and surveillance of civilians. The court is still out on this matter, but when Trump stated he had fired Anthropic, you can get some indication of where our feelings lie. Even as we were composing our editorial, Anthropic sued the Department of Defense on Monday, challenging the Pentagon’s decision to label it a “supply chain risk,” thereby escalating the dispute over the use of artificial intelligence in warfare. For the first time, an American company is deemed a major security risk. Several weeks ago, we weighed in on the copyright lawsuit, Bartz v. Anthropic, brought by authors against the company for using books without permission, and that piracy was not fair use. Like the final judgment on the copyright lawsuit, we await the outcome of the suit against the Department of Defense.
It’s time for fair auto insurance rates and a fair system for New Yorkers
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(Pexels/Jorge Romero photo)
By WALTER T. MOSLEY
Like most New Yorkers, I start my workday by dropping my daughter off at school before heading to the office. Unfortunately, I recently found myself involved in a rear-end accident as I waited to find parking. This crash served as a sudden reminder of something New Yorkers experience every day. Auto insurance has become too costly, too complicated, and too disElinor R. Tatum: Publisher connected from and Editor in Chief fairness. Nearly Madison Gray: Executive & Investigative Editor every household in Damaso Reyes: Editor at Large this state depends Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor on a car, and when Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor insurance premiSiobhan "Sam" Bennett: ums rise, families Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising feel it immediately. Wilbert A. Tatum (1984-2009): People in New Chairman of the Board, CEO and Publisher Emeritus York City might
be able to rely on the subway system, but even in the city, and especially throughout New York State, people depend on their vehicles to get to work, take children to school, care for loved ones, and remain connected to their communities. Car insurance is not optional. It is a basic requirement of daily life. Yet, too many responsible drivers are paying inflated rates because fraud, staged crashes, and systemic abuse continue to push costs higher for everyone. A fair system should discourage reckless and unlawful behavior, not create incentives that undermine accountability. When responsibility breaks down, law-abiding New Yorkers are left carrying costs that do not reflect how they live or drive. Restoring balance is not about punishment. It is about fairness, responsibility, and trust.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has put forward a clear and thoughtful plan to address these challenges. Her proposal strengthens efforts to combat insurance fraud, closes loopholes that contribute to unnecessary litigation, and reinforces the principle that responsibility should matter. At the same time, it preserves protections for individuals who are genuinely injured and ensures the system continues to function for those who follow the rules. Her proposal includes: • Strengthening efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute staged accidents and organized insurance fraud • Expanding accountability for individuals who organize or financially benefit from fraudulent crash schemes • Increasing oversight of medical providers who participate in fraudulent claims or improp-
er diagnoses This approach reflects the values that New Yorkers expect from their government. As part of the governor’s proposed budget, these reforms recognize that affordability is not abstract. It is personal. Bringing down auto insurance costs means easing pressure on household budgets, supporting workers and small businesses, and making our state more livable for everyone. We all share the road, and we all share responsibility to one another. The governor’s proposal moves New York toward a system that reflects that shared responsibility and puts fairness back where it belongs. That is a goal worth advancing for families in every corner of New York State. Walter T. Mosley is NYS Secretary of State.
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Why Angela Olivia Burton is the best choice for ACS Commissioner By ADINA LUNDY It is a historic time for our city. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has not chosen heads of departments as his predecessors did. Indeed, a New Yorker with a justice-affected history has been appointed as the new commissioner of the Department of Corrections. Stanley Richards, a formerly incarcerated criminal justice reform advocate, earned a historic appointment as the first person to lead the city’s jail system who has previously served time in it. The New York City Administration of Children’s Services (ACS) will require a professional with similar foundational insight if NYC’s families are to receive the support they deserve and require. New York City had fallen under federal monitoring beginning in 2015 as a consequence of the disproportionate policing of poor Black and Brown families. In May 2024, the New York Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights issued a report finding that “racism ... continues to impact New York’s child welfare system and forms the foundation for how it functions.” It is against the back-
drop of chattel slavery and the prevailing wealth gap that Brown and Black families fail to escape poverty. These families are policed regarding their inability to pick themselves up by their bootstraps. Further, investigators who investigate the poor lack cultural understanding within the paradigm of poverty and render damaging decisions that destroy families, children, as well as communities. There is a shortage of qualified foster homes. An investigation in 2001 indicated that one-sixth of resource homes fail to pass prerequisite determinants of adequacy. There is also a documented foster care to prison pipeline, a foster care to homelessness pipeline, and a foster care to mental illness pipeline. If the ACS were evaluated as a business, it would be classified as an abject failure, lacking meaningful positive statistical outcomes. In addition, a civil rights lawsuit filed in 2024 challenged the ACS’s use of “coercive tactics” for warrantless home searches, arguing these practices violate the constitutional rights of families, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic families.
Angela Olivia Burton has emerged as a finalist to lead the ACS, one of the largest and most-scrutinized child welfare systems in the country. Angela is not a bureaucratic insider. She is a public interest attorney, legal scholar, and long-time family defense advocate whose work has centered on constitutional family rights, racial equity, and systemic reform. Her career has included academic leadership roles at the City University of New York School of Law and clinical legal training in children’s rights and family law, as well as advocacy roles focused on reducing unnecessary child welfare investigations. She has been publicly associated with efforts to “narrow the front door” of the child welfare system — reducing surveillance and removals while increasing community-based supports. Supporters view her as a reformer committed to addressing racial disproportionality and due process concerns. Family preservation must be the goal. ACS is at the intersection of safety, poverty, race, and power. The next commissioner will shape how New York City repairs the ineq-
uity that policed families continue to face. Burton’s candidacy underscores a larger national debate: Is child welfare primarily an investigative apparatus, or should it reorient to a model grounded in family preservation rather than agency control? Indeed, very few families ever recover from the broken bonds severed by ACS and agencies like it. Whatever one’s position, this appointment will not be symbolic. It will define our city’s humanity in a system that affects thousands of Black, Brown, and poor white children and families annually. Leadership know-how, cultural awareness, and legal prowess are what we need. As a New Yorker, I submit that Angela Burton has the skills, historical skin in the game, and documented understanding of what New York City families under court purview endure. Dr. Adina Lundy is a native of Brownsville, Brooklyn, and associate director of undergraduate psychology at the University of Rhode Island. She also serves as an expert witness for the Office of the Public Defender, Family Court of Passaic County, N.J.
During Women’s History Month, remembering the life and legacy of Ama Ata Aidoo By HERB BOYD When it comes to honoring an international icon during Women’s History Month, there are many choices, from legendary South African vocalist Miriam Makeba to stage and screen star Lupita Nyong’o, who was born in Mexico but raised in Kenya. Among those warranting consideration is also Ama Ata Aidoo, the highly acclaimed novelist, poet, and playwright from Ghana. Despite the recognition she has received in literary circles, she is perhaps the least known of the three and thus
featured here. In 1965, Aidoo’s “The Dilemma of a Ghost” was the first play by an African dramatist to be published. The one-act play centers on Ato, who has returned to his village with his African American wife, Eulalie. She struggles to adapt to the new culture and faces derision for her failure to adjust to the traditional lifestyle. “Ghost” is a metaphor from a Ghanaian folktale about a ghost unable to move forward or backward, symbolizing Ato’s inability to navigate the challenges of modernity and ties to his communal roots.
Five years later, in “Anowa,” Aidoo continued to dissect the problems African women encountered amid the onslaught of contemporary issues that make it difficult for artists to address traditional matters. She met these problems with a similar intelligence and nuance in her novels, including in “Our Sister Killjoy,” an experimental blend of prose and poetry, and a well-measured analysis of imperialism. As one critic noted, “her characters are often complex, layered, and caught between, or forging new paths through, tradition and modernity.”
Aidoo was the recipient of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 1992 for her novel “Changes.” Eight years later, she established the Mbaasem Foundation in Accra, which focused on supporting African women writers. When she wasn’t deeply immersed in the world of fiction and imagination, Aidoo was welcomed in the educational and political arenas. From 1982 to 1983, she served as secretary of education in Ghana during the Jerry “J.J.” Rawlings administration. See AMA ATA AIDOO on page 35
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 13
War with Iran a bitter song we’ve heard before
CHRISTINA
GREER, PH.D. Well, it looks like we’ve done it again. Somehow, our president has unilaterally declared war on another country, plunging America into a military operation that is likely to cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars before it winds down and/or America declares victory, whether real or perceived. For those of us who are old enough to remember, these recent strikes on Iran feel similar to George Bush declaring war on Iraq in the early 2000s. Clearly, America’s version of freedom and liberation does not translate very well overseas, and this recent declaration and attempted regime change will contribute to the president’s obsession with “winning.” But at what cost, literally or figuratively? First things first: As mandated quite clearly in the U.S. Constitution, only Congress can declare war. As the role of the president continues to expand, the powers of Congress seem to be decreasing, especially under this president. The expansive role of the executive is the antithesis of the intentions of the framers. They never wanted someone in charge who would think or behave like King George. Sadly, we have devolved into a nation where we not only have an executive who wants to be the sole person in charge — the judge and jury — we also have an entire political party in Congress willing to hand over their powers to an increasingly aggressive president ruling by feelings and not facts. The president is growing increasingly engaged in his own mental creations and is not being checked by members of his cabinet or party. For example, there
is no widespread rampant voter fraud throughout the U.S., in Black-led cities, or in Fulton County, Ga., in particular. He lost the 2020 election and cannot allow his mind to comprehend it. Somali immigrants in Minneapolis are not engaging in Medicaid fraud, nor is the vast majority of that population undocumented. ICE agents are not keeping the peace or making cities safer, no matter how many times he repeats that falsehood. And prices most certainly are not down. The prices of food, gas, electricity, housing, and water, to name just a few, have not gotten cheaper. The emotional tariff policies are not working, and hardworking Americans are literally paying the price. Now that America has dunked her foot in another global attempt at regime change, we must realize that our military bases across the globe will probably be less safe, and the money that could, and should, be going toward infrastructure and education and healthcare will now go toward missiles and helping to “secure the region.” We have heard this bitter song before, and it sounds just as discordant this time around as it did 25 years ago. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to vote out warmongers and those who support senseless wars. Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Caribbean Update U.S. sows discord for Cuban medical help to Caribbean By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews For more than 50 years, Cuban medical personnel have been working in hospitals in the Caribbean in far-flung jungle communities and at other health posts under a bilateral program with various countries, but unceasing pressure from the Trump administration to dismantle or drastically amend the scheme is threatening to upend all the efforts of the past decades. Through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the administration has been waging a relentless campaign to choke the Cuban government of valuable foreign exchange it earns by sending doctors, nurses, and biomedical engineers to the region on mostly three-year contracts. Under the system in place for decades, Havana had paid the practitioners less than 20% of their monthly earnings, retaining the greater portion of their remuneration for development purposes and to ease chronic foreign exchange shortages.
Dubbing this system as forced labor and human trafficking, the administration has exerted enormous pressure on governments, demanding either a change to the payment system or an abandonment of the program altogether. These demands have caused such turmoil in the region that relations between Jamaica and Cuba have tanked to an extent that the Cubans are preparing to withdraw all of the nearly 300-member workforce on the island in the coming weeks as the two governments exchange harsh words. This is because the Andrew Holness administration has moved to make direct payments to individual practitioners, cutting out the Cuban official system from earning anything, despite the fact that the doctors had obtained free medical training back home. A weekend Jamaican government statement blamed a lack of response from Havana on key issues for its decision to engage the brigade individually, thereby cutting off access to the money they earn from working in Jamaica.
Angered by the move, Cuban authorities say they are repatriating the entire brigade, although it is not clear how many will sign off on individual contracts. “These health professionals leave behind an indelible mark and return to Cuba with the satisfaction of a duty fulfilled and the permanent willingness to assist wherever their spirit of solidarity is required,” the ministry said. It pointed to the dedication level of brigade members, noting that “the most recent example of this dedication was seen after … Hurricane Melissa, which severely affected the island. In those difficult circumstances, the Cuban medical brigade remained firmly at their posts, many of its members working for more than 72 consecutive hours and actively joining the tasks of recovering hospitals and communities. Cuba deeply regrets that in this way, a history of fruitful and sustained collaboration is disregarded, one that has brought countless benefits to the Jamaican people, who are now deprived of receiving the basic and specialized
health services that Cuban collaborators provided.” For its part, Jamaica’s foreign ministry issued a detailed weekend statement regretting the end to the program but said the government is duty-bound to work within local labor laws. It said Cuba has accepted a switch to individual contracts in other Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries but chose not to do so in Jamaica. While negotiating a new umbrella contract, authorities say that they discovered major anomalies, including the embassy seizing the passports of brigade members and that Havana was drawing down most of their salaries. “Once that was brought to the government’s attention, immediate steps were taken to correct it,” the ministry stated. “The issue was raised with the passport, immigration, and citizenship agency as well as the Cuban authorities locally to ensure that all personnel were allowed to hold their passports. The other issue was that salary payments for Cuban medical personnel, while calculated at the same
level as their Jamaican counterparts, were being made by Jamaica to the Cuban authorities in U.S. dollars. That arrangement raised serious concerns under Jamaican labor and tax laws as well as under international labor conventions.” The ministry expressed disappointment that Cuban authorities had not replied either verbally or in writing to proposals to switch to direct individual payments: “Unfortunately, the continued lack of response had the practical effect of preserving an arrangement that Jamaica could not justify. Given our legal obligations, our duty to ensure fairness to workers in Jamaica, and the need for compliance with our own laws and international conventions, the government ultimately concluded that continuation on the existing terms was untenable.” Other regional member states, from the Bahamas in the north to Guyana in the south, say they have rushed to ensure individual rather than bulk hires to ensure that Cubans continue working at health stations in their territories.
10 immigrants have died in ICE custody in first 61 days of 2026 FELICIA PERSAUD
IMMIGRATION KORNER The number of immigrants who have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody this year has climbed to 10 in just the first 61 days of 2026. The latest death was that of a Caribbean immigrant. Emanuel Cleeford Damas of Haiti died on March 2, 2026, while in ICE custody at the HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to ICE, Damas “was pronounced dead at 1:12 p.m. after becoming unresponsive.” “Despite lifesaving efforts by facility staff, Damas died,” ICE said in a March 6 statement. A physician reported that the preliminary cause of death remains unknown. ICE said Damas had been hospitalized days earlier after complaining of shortness of breath. However, his family said his concerns about a toothache went unanswered before
he received proper medical treatment. ICE maintains that medical screening conducted when Damas entered custody in September did not reveal any serious medical issues. Damas was admitted to the hospital again in February, when his family said doctors told them he was being treated for pneumonia. The family has requested an independent autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. ICE denies that Damas was refused emergency medical care and said the agency remains “committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments.” Before his hospitalization, Damas reportedly called family members several times a day from the Florence Detention Center in Arizona. Damas had been arrested by the Boston Police Department for assault and battery on September 14, 2025. ICE Boston arrested him the following day at the Nashua Street Jail and placed him in custody under the Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention of individuals
with pending immigration cases who may pose a public safety risk. Another immigrant death occurred just a day earlier. Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi, a 59-year-old Iranian national, died on March 1, 2026, at Merit Health Hospital in Natchez, Mississippi, after suffering cardiac arrest. ICE said he was pronounced deceased at approximately 6:32 p.m. despite lifesaving efforts by hospital staff. Najafabadi had been hospitalized since February 20. He had a documented medical history including cardiac arrest, inflammation of the heart, and methicillin-resistant Staphlyococcus aureus (MRSA). Najafabadi had entered the United States in 1991 as a lawful permanent resident but had been convicted of several crimes over the years, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of fentanyl, and theft.
victed of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, died on February 27 at the Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, California. He had been hospitalized for chest pain and shortness of breath, and was pronounced dead at 12:58 a.m. On February 16, Jairo GarciaHernandez, a 27-year-old migrant from Guatemala convicted of criminal possession of a weapon and impersonating an officer, died at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami after collapsing and becoming unresponsive. That same day, Lorth Sim, a 59-year-old Cambodian national with prior convictions, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Miami Correctional Facility in Miami County. Despite lifesaving efforts by staff and emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at 7:10 a.m. His cause of death remains under investigation.
tional who died on January 3 at Camp East Montana after experiencing medical distress; Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, a 42-year-old Honduran migrant who died on January 5 at HCA Houston Healthcare in Conroe after being admitted for chronic heart-related conditions; Parady La, a 46-yearold Cambodian national who died on January 9 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia; Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan immigrant who died on January 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso; and Heber Sanchaz Domínguez, a 34-year-old Mexican national who died on the same day at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Center in Georgia. According to ICE, all of the deaths remain under investigation.
Felicia J. Persaud is the founder and publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, the only daily syndicated February alone saw three addi- Five immigrants also died in ICE newswire and digital platform dedtional deaths in ICE custody. custody in January. icated exclusively to Caribbean DiAlberto Gutiérrez Reyes, a 48-yearThey include Geraldo Lunas aspora and Black immigrant news old immigrant from Mexico con- Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban na- across the Americas.
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 15
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International
News
African Union Summit emphasizes need for water access, self-sufficiency
Sustainable water availability is among goals African leaders set forth during African Union conference. (African Union photo)
By MYA TRUJILLO The Washington Informer | Word in Black Despite water being a vital resource for all living things worldwide, equal access is scarce, especially in Africa, a disparity that the African Union (AU) is fervently working to address. The union held its annual AU Summit from February 11–15 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” As part of the mission, the continental union created the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy framework, which places water as a crucial factor in transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future — Agenda 2063’s main goal. According to the recently introduced plan, access to clean water will catalyze the elimination of poverty and hunger in Africa while promoting industrialization and climate resilience. “Despite the abundance of water resources on the continent, we continue to see countless situations
where African citizens are deprived of safe access to drinking water and adequate sanitation, which is a collective challenge that requires courageous, integrated, and sustainable responses,” said João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, president of Angola and Chairperson of the AU. Africa contains 9% of the world’s freshwater, making it the fourth-largest continental supply of the resource. According to UNICEF, in 2022, 418 million people across Africa lacked basic drinking water services, 779 million did not have basic sanitation services, and 839 million lacked basic hygiene services. While progress has been made in the last two decades, members of the AU recognize there is still more work to be done. Under the guidance of the Africa Water Vision of 2025, commissioned by the World Water Council in 2000, Malawi reduced untreated wastewater by 80%, Senegal distributes at least 10% of its budget to water and sanitation services, and others like Egypt and Tunisia have put an end to public defecation. According to the 2024 Africa Water and Sanitation Sector
Monitoring Report, half of the continent’s population is at a disadvantage regarding sound access to safely managed drinking water, one in seven people defecate publicly, and sanitation and hygiene financing averages 0.25% in gross domestic product (not meeting the 0.5% goal). Africa is also heavily dependent on external funding in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) budgets, comprising 78%, which could threaten resource sovereignty and sustainability. “Water investment is a catalyst for transformation. It strengthens food security, drives industrial growth, reduces health care costs, and it creates jobs for the growing population,” said H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), during the AU Summit. “However, to meet the [U.N. Sustainable Development Goal] six targets, we have to close an estimated investment gap of about $30 billion (USD) annually.”
To accelerate funding into the WASH sectors, the AU heads of state adopted the Continental Africa Water Investment Program (AIP) in 2021 as part of the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). “The efforts we have undertaken to build the Africa we want cannot be fully realized without making significant investments that deliver tangible results in the water and sanitation sector,” Lourenço said. The initiative urges leaders to prioritize shrinking the water access gap, increase transparency and accountability regarding efforts to finance water needs, encourage the adoption of innovative financing measures to build resource sovereignty, promote gender equality in decisionmaking, and incorporate water funding into economic planning. With the successful implementation of the AU-AIP, the continent of Africa can make strides toward becoming a major actor From resource sovereignty to on the world stage, because plans sustainable stability like these foster independence Currently, only $10–$19 billion is and less dependency on exterinvested annually in water security nal forces. Leaders note that if and sustainable sanitation in Africa. they can address and make prog-
ress in mending their water access disparities, economic and health autonomy could be easier to achieve, potentially bringing stability, peace, and self-sufficiency across the continent. Although African nations represent 54 of the 193 member states of the General Assembly, and the continent accounts for approximately 18% of the world’s population, it is the only region in the United Nations that isn’t represented in the Permanent Five. “This is 2026, not 1946,” said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing his displeasure that there are no permanent African seats in the U.N. Security Council. “Whenever decisions about Africa and the world are on the table, Africa must be at the table.” Lourenço emphasized the interconnection of all injustices and instabilities that African nations face, acknowledging that the road to an abundant, self-reliant, and secure continent requires a multifaceted, collaborative approach. This post appeared first on The Washington Informer.
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March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 17
Arts & Entertainment
Harlem provides artistic inspiration for Bonnie Phillips By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews There was this man on 125th Street dressed all in green. His style and presence caught Bonnie Phillips’ attention. With that, she began to take her artwork more seriously. Born and raised in London, Phillips found her place in the world in Harlem, where she has lived for 25 years and raised two sons. Just walking around her neighborhood inspires her. The images, the sounds, the people, and the social concerns fuel her art. Even riding the subway brings ideas. She calls it Journo Art, describing her journey in the world and seeing herself as somewhat of a visual journalist. Although she enjoyed painting in her youth — a high school teacher encouraged her to apply to art school — she mostly put it aside after moving to the U.S. There have been surges of inspiration, such as about 20 years ago when she put together an art show as a fundraiser for a tutoring program at which she volunteered. But after becoming a mother and also having a career as a school counselor, her painting became less of a priority. Her artistic journey began in earnest when she saw a man dressed head to toe in gold lamé with a pinstripe. “I thought someone should take that photo,” Phillips recalled. “The next time I saw him, he had a platinum lamé pinstripe. I thought, ‘That’s a picture.’” At the time, she wasn’t really taking herself seriously in terms of her art, but she would see people and think, ‘those are paintings.’ It took her a while, but eventually she stated her intentions as an artist. Just before the pandemic, a group of women she knew decided they wanted to regenerate their creativity. “I wanted to capture people from the Diaspora,” she said. “Walking around in Harlem, I’d see people who had tremendous style. One day, I got off at 125th at Metro North, and I saw this man,
A painting by Bonnie Phillips depicting the flight of white families from integrated public schools.
Artist Bonnie Phillips. (Images courtesy of Bonnie Phillips)
and he was head to toe in green — shoes, hat, everything. I said, ‘Excuse me, you look amazing.’ He said, ‘Me?’ I said, ‘Yes, may I take your picture? I’m an artist, I’d love to do a painting.’ That was the first person I stopped and said, ‘I’d like to do a painting of you.’ It started from there. Ever since, as I see people in a certain style of dress, that garners my attention.” Over the years, she’s been doing paintings of people in the community. Phillips has been a featured artist with the West Harlem Arts Alliance. A recent show included a painting of her son wearing a t-shirt that says “Harlem Heritage.” She thinks her fascination with people’s clothing comes from the fact that her mother was a seamstress, and Phillips has always been aware of style and fashion. As time has passed, Phillips has noticed fewer and fewer older people in her Harlem neighborhood, saying they have either left New York City or perhaps passed on. It’s her way of documenting those people who gave Harlem a
unique sense of style. These days, she works part-time as a school counselor and spends more time painting. She recently sold a painting called “Three Dogs in Harlem,” depicting a woman Phillips saw in the park who had her dogs all dressed in Adidas jackets. The woman’s only request was that her face not be realistic in the painting. “I took another approach, which was outside of my style, but she really gave me a gift because I took a more non-realistic approach to her sitting on the bench, but the dogs I did realistically,” Phillips explained. “I’ve shown the painting at a couple of places, and it’s been very popular. It was in Marcus Garvey Park as an outdoor art piece.” She has a piece right now with Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA). There is another piece at El Barrio’s Artspace. Her work has also been shown at Art on the “Three Dogs in Harlem” by Bonnie Phillips. Ave NYC and at Heath Gallery in Harlem. You can find more about site.com/mysite. supporting other artists,” she said. her work on Instagram and on her “It’s wonderful being in group “It’s important going to openings website at bonniephillips08.wix- shows, meeting other artists, and and going to artists’ talks.”
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A Watch Guide to the 2026 Best Picture nominees
Where to watch them now — and what to know before Oscar night By MAGRIRA and SUNIL SADARANGANI Special to AmNews
Play, and Vudu. Where to watch: Streaming on Awards outlook: A critics’ favor- Netflix. ite, though not widely expected to Awards outlook: A respected take the top prize. literary adaptation but not widely predicted to win. “Sinners” What it’s about: Directed by The Best Picture Race Ryan Coogler and starring MiAwards analysts suggest the chael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, race may ultimately come down Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, and to “Sinners” and “One Battle After Delroy Lindo, this supernatural Another.” drama follows twin brothers who “Sinners” arrives with the most return to their hometown and con- nominations, often a sign of front a dark force tied to their past. strong momentum. At the same Where to watch: In theaters now time, critics’ prediction lists freand expected to stream on Max quently place “One Battle After after its theatrical run. Another” at the top of the field. Awards outlook: One of the With several strong contenders, the outcome remains one of the more unpredictable in recent Oscar history.
The Best Picture race at the 98th Academy Awards spans genres, continents, and styles of filmmaking. This year’s nominees include a gothic literary adaptation, a Formula One blockbuster, a political satire from Paul Thomas Anderson, and a supernatural drama from Ryan Coogler. Together, they reflect the Academy’s increasingly wide definition of what a prestige (L-R) Jayme Lawson as Pearline, Wunmi Mosaku as Annie, Michael B. Jordan as Smoke, Miles Caton as Sammie Moore, and Li Jun Li as film can be. For viewers hoping to catch up Grace Chow, in Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Sinners.” (© 2025 Warner Bros. before Oscar night, many of the Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.) nominees are already available in theaters or on streaming platforms. Awards outlook: A potential Below is a guide to the films upset contender thanks to del — what they’re about, where to Toro’s strong standing with Acadwatch them, and how awards ob- emy voters. How to Watch the 2026 Oscars servers see the race unfolding. The 98th Academy Awards will “Hamnet” take place Sunday, March 15, “Bugonia” What it’s about: Directed by 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at OvaWhat it’s about: Director Yorgos Chloé Zhao, the film explores tion Hollywood in Los Angeles. Lanthimos delivers a darkly comic the grief experienced by William The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. science-fiction satire about two Shakespeare and his family after Eastern Time / 4 p.m. Pacific Time. conspiracy theorists who kidnap a the death of his son Hamnet. The Oscars will be broadcast live corporate executive they believe is Where to watch: In theaters. on ABC, streamed on Hulu, and secretly an alien bent on destroy- After its theatrical run, the film is available through live-TV streaming Earth. expected to be available digitaling services including YouTube Where to watch: In theaters. ly on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling After its theatrical run, the film is TV, Google Play, and Vudu. TV, and DirecTV Stream expected to be available for rental Awards outlook: Frequent- Teyana Taylor as Perfidia in “One Battle After Another.” (Photo courtesy Audiences can follow coverage or purchase on Amazon Prime ly cited by critics as one of the Warner Bros. Pictures) through the Academy’s official Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and strongest dramatic contenders in Vudu. the race. Google Play, and Vudu. Awards outlook: Praised for its Awards outlook: One of the originality, but generally consid- “Marty Supreme” most frequently predicted conered a long shot for Best Picture. What it’s about: Director Josh tenders for Best Picture. Safdie tells the story of an eccen“F1” tric international table-tennis “The Secret Agent” What it’s about: Directed by champion navigating fame and What it’s about: Brazilian filmJoseph Kosinski, the racing drama ambition. maker Kleber Mendonça Filho stars Brad Pitt as a retired Formula Where to watch: In theaters directs this political thriller set One driver who returns to mentor and available for digital rental on during the country’s military dica younger competitor. Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, tatorship. Where to watch: In theaters Google Play, and Vudu. Where to watch: In limited now. After its theatrical run, the Awards outlook: A respected theatrical release and available film is expected to stream on nominee, but not widely predict- to rent or purchase on Amazon Apple TV+, with digital rentals on ed to win Best Picture. Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Play, and Vudu. Google Play, and Vudu. “One Battle After Another” Awards outlook: Critically ad(L-R) Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth in “Frankenstein.” (Netflix photo) Awards outlook: Expected to What it’s about: Director Paul mired but considered an outside compete strongly in technical cat- Thomas Anderson blends politi- contender. strongest contenders. The film platforms: egories such as sound and editing. cal satire and drama in a sweeping leads the field with 16 Oscar nomInstagram: instagram.com/ story about activism and genera- “Sentimental Value” inations, the most of any film this theacademy “Frankenstein” tional conflict. The film stars LeonWhat it’s about: Norwegian di- year — or ever. YouTube: youtube.com/user/ What it’s about: Director Guill- ardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Sean rector Joachim Trier explores the Oscars ermo del Toro reimagines Mary Penn, and Benicio del Toro. strained relationship between a “Train Dreams” TikTok: tiktok.com/@theacademy Shelley’s classic novel as a tragic Where to watch: In theaters. filmmaker and his daughter in What it’s about: Based on Denis Facebook: facebook.com/ story about creation, responsibil- Following its theatrical release, this intimate family drama. Johnson’s novella, this quiet TheAcademy ity, and loneliness. the film is expected to stream Where to watch: In theaters drama follows the life of a railroad X: twitter.com/TheAcademy Where to watch: Streaming on on Max, with digital rentals on and available digitally on Amazon worker in the early twentieth-cenAdditional coverage is available Netflix. Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google tury American West. at Oscars.org.
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Yasiris Ortiz of ‘Marty Supreme’ swings into Hollywood, children’s books, and the Bronx By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews
Never in a million years did ping-pong champion Yasiris Ortiz imagine she would end up in an Oscar-nominated film about the sport that shaped her life. The 28-year-old, four-time national champion from the Dominican Republic, now appears in two pivotal, high-voltage table tennis sequences in “Marty Supreme,” Josh Safdie’s latest sports fable set on the hustling streets of midcentury New York. For Ortiz, her time on set was more than just a job; it felt like a mini-reunion of the global table tennis community. While much of the world was buzzing about her co-star Timothée Chalamet, she admits she was more starstruck by German table tennis legend Timo Boll. “We were more excited to see Timo Boll than Timothée,” she joked. When Ortiz arrived in the United States at 16, she came with her mother, no English, and no friends, landing in a crowded apartment with relatives and little personal space. Table tennis quickly became her language, her identity, and her way out of anonymity. Fast forward a decade, and she is not only a coach but also the author of a children’s book. While the film captures the gritty, sandpaper-era past of the sport, Ortiz is busy documenting its future. She recently published her first children’s book, “Yasi the Champion: A Table Tennis Tale,” a semi-autobiographical story meant to offer young readers a bridge between struggle and possibility. The book follows a young girl whose paddle becomes a passport to friendship, confidence, and a sense of belonging that transcends borders. All eyes now turn to the March 15 Oscar ceremony, where the high-octane world of “Marty Supreme” arrives with nine nominations: best picture, best director (Josh Safdie), best leading actor (Timothée Chalamet), best original screenplay (Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie), best cinematography (Darius Khondji), best film editing, best production design, best costume design, and best casting. The film, loosely based on the life of legendary table tennis hustler Marty Reisman, follows Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a
Yasiris Ortiz, behind the scenes during the filming of “Marty Supreme,” portraying a table tennis player from Brazil. (Photo courtesy of Yasiris Ortiz)
Yasiris Ortiz playing table tennis in “Marty Supreme.” (Courtesy photos)
Yasiris Ortiz showcasing the hairstyle designed for her role as a Brazilian table tennis player in “Marty Supreme.” (Photo courtesy of Yasiris Ortiz)
gifted, narcissistic prodigy navigating the Lower East Side’s smoky clubs and backroom games. Safdie and his collaborators treat each match as a thriller, eschewing the traditional, slow-motion sports-movie gloss. Production designer Jack Fisk rebuilt the famed Lawrence’s Broadway Table Tennis Club with near-archaeological detail, and the tight, aggressive camera work is possible only because the actors are actually playing at speed — no body doubles, no digital sleight of hand. Chalamet’s preparation start-
Yasiris Ortiz at the Japan Society screening of “Marty Supreme,” holding a paddle with the message Dream Big. (Sean O’Neill photo)
ed long before cameras rolled. He began taking lessons in 2018 after an early meeting with Safdie and continued training around the world, having tables shipped to his various film sets. He worked between sandworm scenes on the set of “Dune: Part Two,” he kept a table on the “Wonka” set in London, and he collaborated with choreographer Diego Schaaf to master the specific sandpaper-paddle style of the 1950s, a technique that strips away the spin-heavy advantages of modern equipment. Away from the klieg lights of
A24’s production, Ortiz’s influence is most visible in the Bronx, where her Spin & Learn foundation uses table tennis as a vehicle for academic support and socialemotional learning. Since her arrival in New York in 2016, the program has reached more than 45 city schools, weaving paddles and ping-pong balls into lesson plans, mentoring, and afterschool activities. “Everything that has been happening has been a dream,” Ortiz said. Whether she is coaching at PingPod, reading “Yasi the Cham-
pion” to elementary school students, or watching herself dart across the screen in an Oscarnominated film, she is reminding the sport — and the city — that, while “Marty Supreme” captures table tennis history, she is very much its future. The 98th Academy Awards (Oscars) will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Conan O’Brien returns to host the event.
20 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
AmNews FOOD Rogers Burgers’ Black-owned, Caribbean-influenced flavor smashes Flatbush
Outside of Rogers Burgers location in Flatbush, Brooklyn. (Brenika Banks photos)
Rogers Burgers’ veggie burger and impossible burger with truffle parmesan fries and their different sauces.
By BRENIKA BANKS Special to the AmNews A distinctive approach to making burgers using Caribbean flavors has been discovered by a Haitian duo that was looking for something new and intriguing. Rogers Burgers, owned by Haitian-American partners Jonathan and Josue Pierre, found this concept of Caribbean-influenced burgers. Enjoying a quality burger no longer means leaving the zip code for residents in Flatbush, Brooklyn, also known as “Little Caribbean.” Rogers Burgers serves wings, fries, ice cream, and, of course, burgers that can be custom-made. The menu includes their bacon cheeseburger and burger créole, as well as veggie and Impossible choices for non-meat consumers. The Pierres strategically opened this eatery, knowing they wanted a different yet helpful business for the Flatbush community. This business reflects Jonathan and Josue Pierre’s backgrounds that they intertwined for their restaurant. Jonathan Pierre has about 14 years of experience in the restaurant industry, while Josue Pierre specializes in economic development, real estate, and expressed, knowing the Flat-
Rogers Burgers owners, Haitian-American partners, Jonathan and Josue Pierre.
bush area “very well.” “We already knew that we wanted to have some type of eatery,” said Josue. The inspiration for an ideal local restaurant came from a barbershop visit, when their barber shared how he believed Flatbush needed a burger shop. “And then the fact that we thought about it a week before and said, ‘You know what? Let’s add this to the list of concepts that we might potentially do,’” said Josue.
The Pierres were aware that Flatbush needed a restaurant, specifically a burger restaurant, to mirror the neighborhood. “We wanted to envision Caribbean spice, the roots to what we wanted to do,” said Jonathan. He continued, “We didn’t want to do anything where we feel like we don’t have any connections with it.” The duo is committed to their burger spot having “a little bit of Flatbush in it.” A business like this is essential to increasing the number of
Black-owned businesses in New York City. According to data from Advancing Black Entrepreneurs in NYC, 22% of the NYC population is Black or African American. From this, only 2% of businesses are owned by Black people. This data also shows that these Blackowned businesses are newer, or since 2020, and are predicted to shut down within five years. The Pierres are focused on staying open for years to come. Rogers Burgers plans on expanding as
well as catering for various occasions. “We want to make sure to do more events,” said Jonathan. “We definitely want to expand and share the love of food to Brooklyn and eventually [open] in other neighborhoods.” “We’re working towards profitability, that’s very important,” said Josue. The pair said they love being community involved because of their desire to proudly represent Flatbush. “We do have to make sure that we hit the mark when it comes to how many burgers we sell because it is a business,” he continued. The Pierres also intend on maintaining great quality food while elevating their top-selling items. Jonathan shared how locals in Flatbush were calling the restaurant, thanking them for being close to their block. “I feel like the neighborhood needed this,” said Jonathan. “The response from the neighborhood, from the community, was so encouraging and supportive.” In addition, Josue highlighted his goals to keep “the dollars circulating in our communities” to help Black businesses grow in Brooklyn. Rogers Burgers, located at 801 Rogers Ave, is open daily from Monday through Sunday.
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 21
Travel & Resort Disney Destiny is a ‘fantastic voyage’ By CYRIL JOSH BARKER AmNews Digital Editor As planning for summer travel begins, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny, continues its inaugural sailings. With Disney-style entertainment, a variety of activities, and diverse food options — featuring a hero and villain theme and Black-centered accents throughout the ship — the Disney Destiny is certainly a “fantastic voyage” for guests of all ages. Launched last November, the Disney Destiny draws on the legacies of Disney’s heroes and villains for a cruise vacation warped in iconic stories. The cruise ship debuts one-of-a-kind venues and experiences that complement the entertainment, fine dining, and top-notch hospitality. Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, the Disney Destiny offers three, four-, and five-night itineraries to The Bahamas and the Caribbean, as well as four seven-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Select voyages will include visits to both Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Ports of call on itineraries include stops in Cozumel, Mexico; Nassau, The Bahamas; Puerto Rico; the Dominican Republic; or Jamaica. “Heroes and Villains” is the theme for Disney Destiny, where guests will be inspired by their favorite heroes, from Hercules, Aladdin, and Belle, to getting in touch with their dark side with Cruella de Vil, Ursula, and Dr. Facilier. For the first time in Disney Cruise Line history, a Marvel Super Hero is a signature stern character on the Disney Destiny, with a sculpture of Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots decorating the filigree on the back of the ship. “When guests step on board the Disney Destiny, they can expect three magical experiences all bundled up into one,” said Yolanda Cade, vice president of communications and public affairs for Disney Signature Experiences. “They’re going to have a great cruise, go to amazing destinations, and they are going to have a magical Disney vacation. The minute they step into the atrium, they will immediately get a feel for the vibe of the ship.”
That vibe begins when guests first arrive on board in the Grand Hall, inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” films — including a stunning statue of the Black Panther himself. The Grand Hall’s Wakanda vibe also features a chandelier fashioned after Vibranium, the rare metallic ore found in the fictional nation. Among the dozens of activities on board for guests of all ages are 10 pools and water play areas, including the AquaMouse water coaster, three Broadway-style shows, character meet-and-greets, a special Pirate Night celebration, a fireworks show, youth activities, and rotational dining at themed restaurants.
vated Disney film and theme park audiences for generations.” The Disney Destiny includes an AquaMouse water coaster. The onboard ride features a storyline filled with Disney Animation villains, titled “Sing a Silly Song.” Guests on the ride experience Mickey Mouse animated shorts as Mickey and Minnie lead them on a trek to the peak of Villain Mountain. Mickey and Minnie will employ a silly song to transform each chilling encounter into a surprise. Various options for onboard dining range from casual to more formal. Family dining concepts range from theatrical entertainment to cinematic adventure
an ensemble of live musicians and storytellers takes the stage and presents a retelling of Simba’s story from cub to king, along with a musical journey through the soundtrack featuring African rhythms. The show stars Regina LeVert, who is the lead storyteller. “The story really speaks to us about our experience as human beings because we all have those themes of redemption and persistence and facing your fears,” LeVert said about the show. “I love the ‘Circle of Life’ because we are all connected just by being living, breathing beings on this planet. That will always resonate.” While the ship offers dining op-
The Disney Destiny, a new addition to the expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet. (© Disney photo)
“The Disney Destiny is all about celebrating the bold, charismatic, and driven characters at the heart of our favorite stories,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line. “And who are our beloved heroes without the antagonists who challenge them to prevail? We want our guests to have fun with the unique theme of this ship, and we are having a blast creating spaces and entertainment experiences that pay tribute to the villains, anti-heroes, and mischief makers who have capti-
to sophisticated elegance; dinner on board the Disney Destiny gives travelers a chance to interact with favorite Disney stories in exciting new ways only Disney Cruise Line can cook up. Restaurants include Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, Worlds of Marvel, and the upscale 1923. Taking diners on a trip to Africa, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King features African-inspired cuisine, and the accompanying show is a first for Disney Cruise Line, inspired by the 1994 animated film. As families dine,
tions for families, adult-exclusive dining is also available. Venues include Palo Steakhouse, combining authentic Italian dining with the refinement of a modern steakhouse, and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, offering gourmet, French-inspired cuisine in a romantic and intimate atmosphere. In addition to themed, upscale restaurants, the Disney Destiny offers a variety of dining options for families, ranging from quick bites at the open-air Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods and
casual dining at Marceline Market to 24-hour room service and specialty treats. For the adults, bars include Cask & Cannon, inspired by “Pirates of the Caribbean,” The Sanctum, inspired by the powerful sorcerers and mystical artifacts of Doctor Strange, and the creepy but intriguing Haunted Mansion Parlor where “foolish mortals” can sip cocktails in a setting inspired by the famed Disney Parks ride. However, keeping with the heroes and villains theme of the ship, the piano lounge de Vil’s — inspired by the Disney villain Cruella De Vil from the animated film “101 Dalmatians” — not only offers a wide range of cocktails but also the opportunity to meet and mingle with Ms. de Vil herself. Disney is no stranger to theatrics and nowhere is that more true than at the ship’s Walt Disney Theatre, where voyagers are treated to live Broadway-style productions including “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” and “Disney Seas the Adventure.” However, a must-see show is “Disney Hercules,” a dazzling retelling of the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film, complete with show-stopping performances, legendary music, and state-of-the-art effects. The production stars Corey Bradford, who has made a name for himself on social media, playing the role of Hercules in the Disney Destiny production. “I felt the role was right for me,” Bradford told the AmNews. “I’ve seen Hercules be played by so many different ethnicities and races, and I think it transcends that. There’s a deeper story and a deeper message, and I felt really aligned with that message.” Families and groups can take advantage of Disney Cruise Line’s “Pay at Your Own Pace” plans. Cruise reservations can be confirmed for as little as 10% down, and payments can be made whenever and in any amount you like, up until the final balance is due. “The great thing about Destiny is when our guests step on board, they discover their own destiny,” Cade said. “You do that by spending time with heroes and villains that are special to this ship. All of these epic heroic tales are being told by our characters.”
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In a turbulent year, Oscar-Nominated documentaries turn their lens on power, protest, and survival By MAGRIRA and SUNIL SADARANGANI Special to the AmNews For documentary filmmakers, the past year offered no shortage of urgent stories. The nominees for Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards reflect a world grappling with political division, social change, and personal resilience. The films travel from a Florida neighborhood shaken by violence to the classrooms of Russia, from prison yards in Alabama to a small Iranian village where a local councilwoman is pushing against tradition. What unites them is their focus on individuals confronting systems far larger than themselves. Five films are nominated for Best Documentary Feature, while another five compete in the Documentary Short Film category. Together, they illustrate the wide reach of nonfiction filmmaking at a moment when the genre has become one of the most vital forms of cinematic storytelling. Among the nominees, “The Perfect Neighbor,” directed by Geeta Gandbhir, stands out for its stark reconstruction of the 2023 killing of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a Florida mother whose ongoing conflict with a neighbor ended in gunfire. The film unfolds almost entirely through body-camera footage, surveillance recordings, and emergency calls, allowing viewers to experience the escalating tension as it happened. Without narration or commentary, the documentary builds its story from the same evidence investigators reviewed after the shooting, placing the audience inside the timeline of events. The approach turns the film into a quiet but devastating examination of how everyday disputes can spiral into tragedy. Another nominee, “The Alabama Solution,” from filmmakers Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, investigates the crisis inside Alabama’s prison system, where overcrowding and violence have drawn national scrutiny. The documentary takes its title from a controversial proposal to house prisoners in outdoor camps, a policy critics say echoes punitive practices from earlier eras. Through interviews with in-
and Gandbhir, the short film follows a single day inside the clinic as staff members assist patients while navigating protests and security concerns outside. By narrowing its focus to one location and one day, the film offers a close look at the tensions surrounding reproductive healthcare in the United States. The nominees for Best Documentary Short Film also address urgent themes. “All the Empty Rooms” reflects on the aftermath of school shootings by documenting the preserved bedrooms of children who were killed, spaces that remain unchanged as families continue to grieve. “Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud” A scene from “The Perfect Neighbor,” which examines the fatal shooting of Ajike “AJ” Owens and the tensions recounts the career of the journalinside a Florida neighborhood that preceded the tragedy. (Photo courtesy of Netflix) ist killed while reporting on the war in Ukraine, examining the risks reporters take to document conflict. “Children No More: Were and are Gone” focuses on the experiences of young people displaced by war, highlighting the long-term consequences of conflict in childhood. And “Perfectly a Strangeness” takes viewers to a remote observatory, where astronomers search the night sky for distant galaxies, reflecting on humanity’s enduring curiosity about the universe. The 98th Academy Awards will take place Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Eastern Time / 4 p.m. Pacific Time. The awards will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, with additional viewing options through services inA scene from “Cutting Through Rocks.” (Photo via sundance.org) cluding YouTube TV, Hulu + Live carcerated men and their families, Eyni, follows Sara Shahverdi, the rooms — and what it means to TV, FuboTV, Sling TV, and Directhe film reveals the human toll of first woman elected to a council challenge them. TV Stream. systemic neglect. position in her rural village. As she One filmmaker appears twice Audiences can follow the cerIn “Come See Me in the Good pushes for greater independence among this year’s nominees. Di- emony and awards-season covLight,” director Ryan White shifts for girls and challenges practices rector Geeta Gandbhir has re- erage on the Academy’s official the focus to an intimate story. The such as child marriage, the film ceived two Oscar nominations at social media platforms: documentary follows poet Andrea captures the tension between tra- the 2026 Academy Awards, one Instagram: instagram.com/ Gibson, who continued writ- dition and reform in a tightly knit for the feature documentary “The theacademy ing and performing after receiv- community. Perfect Neighbor” and another for YouTube: youtube.com/user/ ing a terminal cancer diagnosis. And in “Mr. Nobody Against the short film “The Devil Is Busy.” Oscars The film traces Gibson’s life with Putin,” directors David BorenDual recognition in both docuTikTok: tiktok.com/@theacademy their partner through moments stein and Pavel Talankin docu- mentary categories is rare. Facebook: facebook.com/ of humor, poetry, and reflection, ment a Russian schoolteacher While “The Perfect Neigh- TheAcademy offering a portrait of love and cre- quietly resisting government bor” reconstructs a fatal neighX: twitter.com/TheAcademy ativity in the face of mortality. propaganda during the war in borhood conflict, “The Devil Is The Iranian documentary “Cut- Ukraine. Through recordings and Busy” turns to a different setting: More information about nomting Through Rocks,” directed by interviews, the film explores how an abortion clinic in Atlanta. Di- inees and ceremony coverage is Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza official narratives reach into class- rected by Christalyn Hampton available at Oscars.org.
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‘Spring is here,’ Legendary saxophonist Charles McPherson hosts residency ahead of exciting season at Smoke Jazz Club in Harlem By JOHNNY KNOLLWOOD Special to the AmNews Saxophonist and composer Charles McPherson closed out a successful run of shows with a sold-out performance at Smoke Jazz Club in Harlem on Mar. 8. The 86-year-old saxophonist who worked with jazz giants like Charles Mingus was joined by trombonist Steve Davis, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Kenny Washington for an evening of soulful swing that reflected upon relationships, New York City, and the political landscape of the last decade. Charles McPherson has made his mark on the jazz community over his six-decade-long career — releasing a plethora of successful solo albums and appearing on landmark recordings by Charles Mingus and
Barry Harris. In his 80s, McPherson hasn’t lost any of the speed, power, or feeling in his playing, as he expressively moved through the harmony of each tune with a unique sense of grace that could only be acquired through decades of exploration. “What a nice, smart, beautiful audience,” McPherson said to the crowd in the Harlem nightclub as he took to the stage “a little early,” setting the tone for the night with good humor that would continue as he interjected in between songs. McPherson nodded to the fairer weather with a rendition of the standard “Spring is Here,” before launching into his own compositions. He mused on the penning of “Manhattan Nocturne,” telling the audience how he “wrote this in San Diego but was thinking of New York at 4 in the morning.” “Even the crooks are asleep,” he recalled.
He then lamented on a tune from 2016 that he warned was “a little bit darker,” called “Reflections on the Election.” “We better brighten the mood up,” he told the audience before the evening’s final tune, “Horizons.” At the end of the night, he thanked the crowd, which included famed singer Samara Joy. “It’s a pleasure to still be able to play and be a part of the music,” McPherson told the audience, kicking off a killer weekend of fair-weather shows ahead of an exciting Spring season at Smoke Jazz club that will include performances by Cyrus Chestnut, George Cables, Wayne Escoffery, Kendrick Scott, and more. You can livestream select performances and many shows are recorded and released on Smoke’s record label. Find out more information and score tickets to upcoming events at smokejazz.com.
Saxophonist Charles McPherson was joined by Steve Davis, Jeb Patton, Boris Kozlov, and Kenny Washington for a series of successful performances at Smoke Jazz Club in Harlem ahead of an exciting Spring season. (Johnny Knollwood photo)
‘Masquerade’ is the ultimate immersive theatrical experience for the Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece! By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” has long been one of my and my oldest daughter’s favorite musicals of all time, so when I heard that there was a new immersive theatrical experience based on this beloved musical, we had to go and experience it. Going to “Masquerade” is a dream come true. It is everything you remember and cherish about “Phantom” — except that you are there! You are there in the room where it happens, you are dressed elegantly, wearing a mask, and the actors are literally up close and personal as you travel through a six-floor building to experience the story of the Phantom as told from his perspective. You may find yourself dancing with a cast member in the Masquerade scene or chatting with one of the dancers as you wait for Christine to enter the room. You are in the room as each scene happens, you travel throughout this complex via escalators and stairs and move from place to place experiencing moments that you will never forget. One moment you find yourself taking a dance lesson with Madame Giry; the next you find yourself following her and some-
A scene from “Masquerade” playing at 218 W 57th Street. (Luis Suarez photo)
times the Phantom as the story unfolds. The costumes are absolutely gorgeous. The settings include dressing rooms; a carnival where you see the backstory of the Phantom as a deformed, exploited child and how he came to be with the Opera House; and even the Phantom’s lair. The story of the Phantom is incredibly moving as it is, but imagine the Phantom singing to Christine about breaking his heart and betraying him when you are only an arm’s length away. Imagine sitting in a room and the
Phantom hands you an item to replace something that another actor in a previous scene gave to you. But the item he gives you will have a different effect on the user than originally intended. (I know that sounds mysterious, but that’s part of the fun.) There were so many moments where I found myself overcome with emotion; so many moments when the Phantom and Christine moved among the audience, singing and literally looking audience members directly in their eyes. Experiencing this production,
you get to get a taste of the anguish and pain that the Phantom experienced his entire existence, but you also see his tender side that barely got a chance to see the light of day. You also get to see all the levels of emotion that Christine experiences. What’s so spectacular about this immersive experience is that there are multiple groups experiencing it at separate times each day. There are six different Phantoms and six different Christines, and ticket buyers are given a time to enter the building and a secret
password. This production is also a spectacular example of non-traditional casting at work. The cast is too vast to name them all, but the cohesiveness you experience through them is sublime. At the performance I attended on a Sunday at 1 p.m., African American actor Kyle Scatliffe was absolutely extraordinary as the Phantom. His voice, his pain, his love for and dedication to Christine, his protective yet deadly manner of making sure she was successful, touched the soul. You felt great empathy for this man who never knew love, not even from his own mother. Eryn LeCroy was stunning as Christine. Her voice was enchantingly beautiful. You could sense every emotion she experienced, feeling grateful to the Angel of Music but also terrified of him. One of the songs that always tears me down emotionally is when she sings “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” and I must admit, when she performed it in a very interesting setting, I could not wipe my tears quickly enough. The character that we meet from the beginning is Madame Giry, who is a role played by four different actresses. At the performance I attended, that role was marvelously performed by Liz Pearce.
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Dizzy’s, Flushing Town Hall
NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart, the iconic drummer and elder statesman, appears at Dizzy’s (10 Columbus Circle) March 13–15. He will be joined by tenor saxophonist Craig Handy, along with members from his original quartet: pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Ben Street. Hart enjoys an illustrious career, having earned an international reputation for his defining contributions with Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi Sextet from 1969–73, and his inventive playing with Miles Davis on the pioneering fusion journey “On the Corner” (Columbia Records, 1972). His extensive resume includes stints with Stan Getz, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Fortune, Wayne Shorter, and Pharoah Sanders (playing on his celebrated album “Karma” (Impulse!, 1969)). Hart’s drumming style changed the concept of drumming with his own distinctive groove that pushed hot, swinging rhythms for Eddie Harris and Joanne Brackeen, or the behind-the-beat ballads of song stylist Shirley Horn. For reservations, visit jazz.org. There are quite a few young singers on the horizon who deserve to be heard; one such rising influence is Vanisha Gould. She appears at Dizzy’s one night only on March 16,
Billy Hart with Steve Davis in Rochester, NY, 1978. (Creative Commons photo)
with two shows, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Gould has a unique style that immediately captivates any listener within distance of her alluring vocals. Gaining a reputation for her heartfelt writing and modern approach to jazz storytelling, she has captured new fans around the world during her tours throughout Europe and Russia, and with performances in Sweden, Denmark, and the Nordic regions. In 2023, Gould received the Jazz Gallery Composition Residency Commission, expanding her vision toward multi-movement works that integrate text, voice, and visual storytelling. Her vocals fall somewhere between Abbey Lincoln, Cassandra
Vanisha Gould’s latest album, “She’s Not Shiny, She’s Not Smooth” (Image via Bandcamp)
Billy Hart (Gilberto Tadday / Jazz at Lincoln Center photo)
Wilson, and perhaps a little Pearl Bailey. She prefers her own originals or songs that most of us have never heard — those little gems that managed to slip by the top 40 list. Her latest album, “She’s Not Shiny, She’s Not Smooth,” leans into her daring vocal style that highlights her undeniable authenticity, an enthralling voice that lingers in the shadows after she’s left the stage. For reservations, visit jazz.org. Another jazz voice comes to Dizzy’s on March 19: the vocals of Latin Grammy-nominated vocalist and composer Claudia Acuña. She brings a blend of South American folk traditions with jazz and world music, drawing on her homeland — sounds of Chile and dancing in the many sounds and cultures of New York City. She will be accompanied by pianist Manu Koch, bassist Carlos Henderson, and drummer Yayo Serka. Whether reimagining jazz standards, interpreting beloved Latin American ballads, or infusing AfroCaribbean rhythms with depth and nuance, Acuña captivates with her burnished bronze tone and expressive storytelling, creating a performance that feels both intimate and deeply moving. Visit jazz.org for reservations. Miles Davis was oozing hipness — the epitome of coolness, revolutionary thought, independent swing, speed racer, boxer, Black genius, the shape-shifter, the innovative instigator who heard music in his head when he wasn’t
even listening. He flourished in bebop; manipulated cool jazz into the birth of the cool, inaugurated jazz fusion with defiant vengeance, dazzled us to the galaxy’s end with the impressive sounds of his First Great Quintet and the audacity to have the Second Great Quintet. Everybody sums it up by saying that Miles was a bad MF. To quote actor Brock Peters as Jack Johnson on Miles’s LP “Jack Johnson” (Columbia Records, 1971). “I’m Jack Johnson, heavyweight champion of the world. I’m Black, they never let me forget it. I’m Black all right. I never let them forget it.” Miles will linger in the Milky Way’s Band pit, inspiring new sounds for generations who dare independence. We celebrate the centennial of Miles’s birth as his legacy soars high in the sky, where angels drink Bitches Brew and dance to “On the Corner” to “Kind of Blue!” His centennial will be celebrated with the NEA Jazz Masters: A Tribute to Miles Davis, on March 20 at Flushing Town Hall’s annual NEA Jazz Masters concert (137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing, NY). It will be led by the legendary trumpeter/flugelhorn player and composer Jimmy Owens and his fellow NEA Jazz Masters: alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, pianist Kenny Barron, and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, along with rising jazz talents guitarist Michael Howell and bassist Kenny Davis.
Owens informed me during a recent phone interview that the NEA Masters will perform some of Miles’s earlier repertoire, like “All Blues,” “Freddie Freeloader,” and later stuff like “Tutu” and “Full Nelson.” They will also add commentary about Miles, his music, and various experiences. “I first met Miles at age 15, when my father took me to see him for a matinee at Smalls Paradise, in Harlem,” recalled Owens. “It was very special. Miles invited me onstage to play with him. I played ‘Walkin’ and then ‘Cannonball,’ and Coltrane joined. That was a very important moment to me and my musical growth.” Owens earned real, sanctified super-status the day a little sports car came up behind him, honking and honking, as he and his boys left Music & Arts H.S. and were walking to the subway station. The little sports car pulled up next to the curb, and as the window rolled down, everyone could see it was Miles Davis — what! Miles offered Owens a ride home to the Bronx. The next day, he was the talk of the entire school; even teachers were speaking to him. “Man, what a feeling that was. After that, Miles and I became casual friends,” said Owens. “He was one of our great geniuses, who changed the music many times, and he was a great trumpet player.” For more information, visit flushingtownhall.org or call 718463-7700 x222.
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despite nominal felony recidivism rates among returning citizens over the age of 60 (the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision considers anyone ages 55+ as an “older adult” due to accelerated aging from incarceration). Additionally, the state resumed locking up people ages 50 and older for “new court commitments” like recent felony convictions at increased rates after a brief but substantial decrease in 2020. In the past, parole violations contributed to a significant portion for why elders entered the prison system, but they now only make up 12% of prison admissions for the age cohort based on the most recent data from 2023. An aging state prison population also means a sizable healthcare bill fronted by taxpayer money. The report found per-person health service costs for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision rose from $5,850 in State Fiscal Year 2013 to $13,923 in State Fiscal Year 2025, and $450.6 million in total healthcare costs. However, the state does not report spending by age group. Mingo, now a Westchester community leader for the Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) campaign, finds the report unsurprising. He points to the draconian arrest and sentencing practices from de-
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to 2025, ranking New York State 49th nationwide. However, average rent prices increased by 93.19%, placing New York at 14th among the biggest rent increases. When comparing rent price growth to average hourly earnings growth from 2007 to 2025, the difference was 54.59%, ranking New York at second — only behind Delaware, where the gap was 59.03%. Having to work more days to afford the same things as nearly 20 years ago shows what Black workers are having to put up with as unemployment climbs. In February, unemployment for Black women rose
cades ago, which famously exacerbated mass incarceration in the state and across the country. Today, judges often sentence defendants less harshly for similar convictions than their predecessors (or at times, themselves) previously threw the book on. Recent reforms like Raise the Age and the decriminalization of cannabis help prevent repeating those past mistakes. But few levers exist to undo the existing harms of the Crime Bill era thanks to narrow judicial review standards and a flawed parole system. As a result, many incarcerated elders remain in prison for longer than they would if a court sentenced them today, with little recourse beyond clemency. Before his commutation, Mingo was not parole eligible until 2031 despite entering the prison system back in 1981. Grady was more than a decade and a half away from parole eligibility, reported the appeal back in 2023. But even those who get a hearing are not guaranteed an early release. The parole board’s rate of releasing incarcerated elders also dipped from 57.2% in 2019 to 48.9% in 2024, according to DiNapoli’s report. Additionally, racial disparities persist during such hearings. An NYU Law report found white people were released at much higher rates than nonwhite people through parole in recent years. Other existing levers include medical parole and compassionate release, but require serious (and often terminal) health conditions. to 7.7%, up from 6.5% in January, while Black men improved to 7.6%, down from 8.1%. Even with that decline, though, Black men remained above the national rate, and Black women matched the overall Black unemployment rate. The unemployment rate for young Black workers ages 16 to 24 increased to 14.7% in February, up from 13.7% in January, according to the Joint Center’s analysis of BLS data. The jobless rate for all young workers also rose, from 9.4% to 9.7%. Smith Finnie said the February jobs report should be read as more than a monthly fluctuation. The reality for Black workers, she said, is that economic “stability and progress remain unpredictable given the instability in the labor market.”
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Roslyn “Roz” Smith — another RAPP community leader and the Beyond Incarceration program manager for the global feminist movement V-Day — says thinking about post-prison life fosters rehabilitation. She recalled entering the system at age 17 before spending 39 years incarcerated. Oftentimes, she felt like a statistic as a young Black woman. “When somebody can go to the parole board, somebody can apply for clemency — it’s hope,” said Smith. “When I was inside, I applied for clemency several times, and that gave me hope, even though I didn’t get it. It creates hope and motivation inside, and it allows people to see something in the future…it’s like I’m striving for something. I’m not being dormant, and I’m not sitting in prison rotting away without any hope for release.” The report mentions several measures proposed to address the aging state prison population, including the RAPP-backed Elder and Fair and Timely Parole bills. They would grant parole eligibility to incarcerated individuals ages 55 and older after serving 15 or more years in prison and increase the odds for those who see a parole board to actually get released. The legislation received public support from Rev. Al Sharpton and the NAACP, as well as Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and former New York State Parole Commissioner Barbara Hanson Treen. While those bills navigate the state legis-
lature, executive clemency powers remain the most immediate solution. After all, prison deaths do not follow a legislative calendar. Commutations do not necessitate release — they can also make someone parole eligible earlier or reduce a sentence. For Mingo, clemency meant not only returning home but making the most of his freedom. Now five years in, he remains active helping those still on the inside. “I hit the ground running when I came home in terms of advocacy work because when you are in prison and you find out that you’re getting ready to get released — particularly after all this time, talking about four decades — you have in your head, ‘what am I gonna do?’” said Mingo. “What helped me answer that question was five days before I was getting ready to come home, I knew this ‘young’ gentleman. He came in when he was 16 years old and… had been inside for 45 years. I got him back active, and he’s trying to work on his case, and I even got him a job back in the law library with me. “I left him that afternoon. I went to the yard, I came back about two hours later, and I said something to him. He didn’t answer. So I figured he’s taking a nap, but actually, he was in a cell, dead. The effects became personal, and that helped me answer the question about what I’m gonna do with the rest of my life. Because you can’t spend that much time inside and not be affected by it.”
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Education A college within a college: How Sacramento State’s Black Honors College centers Black students
Dr. J. Luke Wood, president of Sacramento State, welcomes students at the United States’ first Black Honors College. (BHC photo)
By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff To Dr. J. Luke Wood, president of California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State), the United States’ first Black Honors College (BHC) is a “micro-university” nestled within the campus. He says it was created to serve the university system’s largest Black student community. “What it came down to is that Sacramento State has the largest population of Black students in California,” Dr. Wood said. “Out of all the California State universities, no one serves more Black students than we do.” Despite this, he noted, “[Sacramento State] historically has not done well in serving our Black students.” That fact, he said, motivated him to develop a space that centers on what Black students need. The Black Honors College (BHC), which is the United States’ first, opened its doors in August 2024. After starting with only 80 students, it now has more than 520. “In September, we’ll have around a thousand students,” said Wood. In the space of 18 months, BHC has become a fully developed college, with its own faculty, residential space, and dean. “We were fortunate because of some very strong leadership. I would say that Dean Ati Mosupyoe is an incredibly powerful individual we couldn’t do this without, especially as our inaugural dean of the college. Our vice president for student affairs, Dr. Anie-
sha Mitchell, we couldn’t do this without. “I guess we couldn’t be doing this without strong Black leadership,” Wood continued. The college, which is open to all students interested in Black history and culture, admits incoming first-year students every fall and welcomes transfer students from community colleges and from within Sacramento State. “It’s more than just space,” Dr. Wood explained, “and it’s not a program or a center. It’s its own college. Students have their own physical faculty, their own residential living and learning, and their own dean who operates the college.” Culture-centered curriculum BHC is like other honors colleges, but its emphasis is on Black history and culture across disciplines. The college offers specialized classes, internships, mentorship programs, research opportunities, creative arts activities, residential living and learning initiatives, and scholarship options. Its curriculum is designed so that students spend their first two years immersed in courses — history, science, philosophy, and math — taught from a Black studies perspective. It offers classes like “Mathematical Practices Across Cultures,” “Art, Religions, and Power before 1400,” “United States History, 1877-present,” and “Introduction to Pan African Studies.” Beyond the core requirements, the college offers three specialized minors — in artificial intelligence manage-
ment, healthcare and aging, and real estate and land use development — designed to meet both local industry demands and the long-term career aspirations of its students. Sacramento State’s BHC is not eligible for federal HBCU or Predominantly Black Institution status. Still, under Wood’s leadership, Sacramento State became California’s first Black-serving institution, and legislation was enacted to make several other universities in the state Black-serving as well. “So now, we’re a state-recognized Blackserving institution. And then we have the Black Honors College. Between those two things, we’ve seen a significant increase in Black students wanting to be here,” Dr. Wood explained. Black student enrollment at Sacramento State has increased by 22% over three years. Wood insists it’s because leadership at Sacramento State has been structured to mirror the diversity of its student body. “We’re one of only four universities in the country right now with a designation for serving at least three different populations,” Dr. Wood said, “including state recognition as a Black-serving institution, and federal designations as a Hispanic-serving institution and as an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. “Think of it like a normal Honors College, but with a Black studies focus,” Dr. Wood said. “We specifically identified faculty who have a demonstrated record of success in teaching Black students. They receive on-
going training provided by experts such as Frank Harris of San Diego State’s Community College Equity Assessment Lab.” Donor contributions, state funds, and university resources have helped fuel BHC’s expansion. The Tsakopoulos family, a Sacramento-based real estate development family, contributed an initial $2.5 million, which was crucial to BHC’s founding. Continued support from the California State University System and Sacramento State’s outreach and advising teams helps ensure the college’s continued existence. “Having anything on campus staffed is a significant investment of resources. So BHC has its own outreach team, acting advisors, residential living and learning, dedicated counselors, its own office support, and much more coming,” Dr. Wood said. BHC also tries to make an impact beyond the classroom by hosting guest speakers, debates, creative arts events, and trips both nationally and internationally. “We just had a team go to Guadalupe. I went with them to South Africa. We’ve been to Nigeria. We just got back from Atlanta. The idea is to be representative of the diversity within the Black community,” Dr. Wood noted. “Our big focus is on our domestic Black students, but we are also open to anyone who identifies as Black themselves or wants an educational experience blended into Black studies.”
Learn more about BHC at https://www.csus. edu/student-affairs/black-honors-college/.
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do in addition to your job, not something that you do as a job,” Spaudling said. In her junior year of college, Spaudling gave away samples of chocolate to friends and family, as well as online. Her unique designs included small chocolate afros, bamboo earrings, and cassette tapes. “If I’m going to talk about Black culture, the Mecca makes sense,” Spaulding said about reflecting Harlem in her chocolate. Spaulding got back into the business in 2014 after entering a competition with Dixon from the New York Public Library which they won in 2015. From the start, Spaulding says there were systemic hurdles. The business had secured a large six-figure order, to which they sought out an available Harlem loca-
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College Soccer Players (Seated side by side). (AP Photo/Ann M. Peterson)
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tion that was large enough for the necessary production. But she says the New York Economic Development Corporation put up several barriers and red tape. They were even offered a stall in Chelsea Market for the business instead, but she declined in order to stay true to Harlem. “I think what that move would have reaffirmed was that Black people don’t deserve nice things,” Spaulding said. “You’re supposed to be charged with economic development for our community, and you take something that could be generating money, and you put it in Chelsea.” They ended up missing the large order, and later opened up in the current space in 2018. Spaudling says businesses need investments to be sustainable as opposed to grants and loans — which must be paid back — and that venture capital firms and angel investors too often are not investing in Black women’s businesses.
“Capital is withheld from Black women,” Spaulding said. “There are invisible boundaries created that make the process of funding difficult, if not impossible.” In 2021, Black women start-up businesses received just 0.34% of total venture capital funds. “We can’t afford more loans. We need investment,” Spaulding said. She noted that start-ups typically raise investment from family and friends, and white startups fare better than Black ones due to the disparities in wealth between communities. For now, Spaulding and Dixon are continuing to restructure as they seek a larger space. They launched a GoFundMe to reach $50,000 to cover bases while they work toward that goal. Spaudling says they chose to hold strong in the current space, planning to operate like a regular retail shop because of how
much customers love their product, but that it has ultimately led to their need to start the GoFundMe. For her children and her team, she insists they must chart a new path for the business. “I needed to do this years ago because we could not afford to operate our business … we don’t have access to capital,” Spaulding said. “I held on for us in a way that cost me. I haven’t taken a salary. Asha hasn’t taken a salary. We are open because of our sacrifice, not because it was the best business idea.” Spaulding says she wants the Harlem community to be able to bear the fruits of its labor and benefit from its own culture. “Because this is for Harlem, I have to move differently. I have to come to the community and say this thing that belongs to us needs some help,” Spaulding said. “I wish we didn’t. I wish there were another way. But I’m not going anywhere.”
male, from sports like field hockey, wrestling, soccer, tennis, and volleyball, receiving only a tiny amount of revenue sharing, but there is serious concern that these sports will either see drastic cutbacks in funding or elimination to free up the big payouts to football and men’s basketball. Last week, University of Louisville president Dr. Gerry Bradley, along with vice president and director of athletics, Josh Heird, and chairman of the board of trustees, Dr. Laurence N. Benz, released a white paper outlining the trouble they see in college sports. “Penn State is now the most leveraged public athletic program in the country, carrying $534 million in athletics-related debt. Rutgers has accumulated $516.9 million in total athletic losses since joining the Big Ten in 2014. And Louisville — a program that generates $1.28 billion annually in economic impact for our city and Commonwealth — is running a $12.5 million deficit with reserves drawn down from $34 million to $3.4 million. These are not stories
of mismanagement. They are symptoms of a structural crisis that no individual institution can fix on its own,” they wrote. Bradley, Heird, and Benz explained that a system that was already strained has endured litigation, NIL, and the House settlement with direct compensation obligations. Their paper noted they are not advocating for cutting sports or threatening reductions, particularly of Olympic programs, but there needs to be structural reform. In simple terms, Louisville is asking to change
the rules of the television media rights. “The advent of name, image, and likeness rights and the coming era of direct revenue sharing have been celebrated as long-overdue compensation for college athletes,” they concluded. “We do not disagree that student-athletes deserve to share in the value they create. But the uncomfortable reality is that, as currently structured, these changes benefit a small number of athletes in a handful of sports while placing enormous pressure on everyone else.”
High School Football Players (Catching a pass). (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
28 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Health An effort to remedy harm from a race-based kidney test helps Black patients seeking transplants By LAURAN NEERGAARD Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — An unprecedented effort to reverse the effects of a racially biased medical test that blocked or delayed Black people from getting kidney transplants seems to be working. Researchers reported Monday that thousands of Black transplant candidates have been given credit on the transplant waiting list for time they lost because of that misguided test, moving up their priority in an attempt at restorative justice. That test used a race-based formula to calculate patients’ kidney function. It made Black patients’ kidneys appear healthier than they really were, delaying diagnosis of impending organ failure and referral for transplant. After the U.S. transplant system ended use of the race-based test, it ordered hospitals to determine which Black patients on their transplant lists could have qualified for a new kidney sooner, by combing medical records for long-ago biased findings, and credit them with that time. Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center analyzed a database of all kidney transplants between January 2022 and June 2025, comparing transplant rates before and after the January 2023 policy change. Among the more than 21,000 Black transplant candidates given waiting time modifications, the median gain was 1.7 years, the team reported in JAMA Internal Medicine. That’s meaningful time as the wait for a kidney transplant averages three to five years but can be far longer in some parts of the country. Black patients’ transplant rate increased right after the policy change, by 5.3 transplants per 1,000 listings, before leveling off. Overall the kidney transplant rate increased during the study period and the transplant rate for non-Black patients didn’t change significantly under the new policy, remaining highest for white patients, the researchers reported. The findings “suggest that improving transplant care for Black individuals did not harm individuals of other races,” Dr. L. Ebony Boulware of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who wasn’t involved in the study, wrote in an accompanying commentary that urges similar efforts to mitigate harm from other erroneously racebased medical tests. The policy “hopefully helps move the needle toward equity,” Dr. Rohan Khazan-
(Pexels/Shedrack Salami)
chi of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center, who led the study, said in an interview. Getting a wait-time credit didn’t translate into immediate transplants — 7,484 of them received a new kidney during the study period. The biased kidney test was based on a measurement of how quickly a waste compound called creatinine gets filtered from blood. In 1999, an equation used to calculate that rate was modified to adjust Black people’s results compared to everyone else’s, based on some studies with small numbers
of Black patients and a long-ago false theory about differences in creatinine levels. That test exacerbated other disparities that already make Black Americans more at risk of needing a new kidney, but less likely to get one. They are over three times more likely than white people to experience kidney failure and make up about 30% of the kidney transplant list. Khazanchi was surprised to find that less than one in three Black transplant candidates received wait-time modifications. That might be because some weren’t diagnosed with kidney disease until their
organs had failed, an emergency that doctors call “crashing onto dialysis.” But Khazanchi said another possibility is that some transplant centers had more resources than others to do the digging into old medical records — lab tests performed not only years earlier but possibly in different health systems in different parts of the country — to find everyone who qualified. While the ordered lookback to change wait times happened in 2023, Black patients more recently added to the transplant list should ask if they also may be eligible, he advised.
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 29
A homegoing at home: Reflecting on the celebration of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s life and legacy By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews After nearly five hours, including the time that many mourning the Rev. Jesse Jackson spent waiting to get inside the House of Hope Convention and Event Center in Chicago on Friday, the homegoing for the civil rights icon came to a close after a host of speakers gave their memories and praise. Even the allotted time, as one speaker noted, was still not enough to capture Jackson’s distinguished career as an activist in the Civil Rights Movement. From Rev. Michael Pfleger’s opening remarks to Rep. Maxine Waters’s closing comments, speaker after speaker took a portion of Jackson’s illustrious resume to highlight. “He spoke with the voice of a poet,” said Rabbi Sharon Brous, who noted that she was glad to be included in his “beloved community.” Former Judge Greg Mathis, one of my former students at Wayne State University in Detroit, recounted his association with Jackson: “He convinced me to take the television program from where I could spread the message of hope.” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker compared Jackson to “a mighty river … inspiring us all with his words and deeds. And he belonged to Chicago.”
Brandon Johnson, Chicago’s mayor, agreed with the governor and added that Jackson was “a master negotiator with a God-given ability to bring people together.” Among the several ministers who served as emcees were Rev. Charles Jenkins and Rev. James Meeks, and they bracketed a performance by Opal Staples, whose rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” took the event to another level of exuberance. Multilingual attorney CK Hoffler, chair of the Rainbow Push Coalition founded by Jackson, elaborated on Jackson’s leadership. Although Jackson is gone, she said, the organization continues. She offered praise to the Jackson family and appreciation for the solidarity shown by many in attendance. One of the event’s most moving moments was the recollection delivered by NBA immortal Isiah Thomas. “When the world was trying to make us into nobodies,” he said, “Jesse made us into somebodies, especially me. He lifted us up on his broad shoulders!” As is his wont, former president Barack Obama — who was preceded by two other presidents at the service, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden — didn’t miss a beat when he began his time at the podium with quotes from the Book of Isaiah, particularly re-
peating the words “Send Me,” denoting God’s call for service. Whether as a student leader or on the athletic field, Obama recited, “Send me!” When Jackson ran for president, Obama said that was another “Send me” moment. “He came up short in these attempts, but he paved the way for others,” Obama said, without stating the obvious. Following him on the podium was songstress Jennifer Holiday, who rocked the joint with her powerful rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” The Rev. Al Sharpton, echoing another phrase often attributed to his mentor, said, “We came this far by faith,” stressing the movement Jackson helped to spur. “And we are not going to turn back. We won’t go back,” he said, in a message intended for Donald Trump. Former Congressmember Jesse Jackson Jr. enlivened the service, particularly with his story about his father’s fortuitous encounter with the great theologian Howard Thurman. Moreover, he revealed some personal information about his father’s preference for a flip phone and said the best thing about his father was being “not political, but psychological,” a thought that hung in the air as he departed.
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Former President Barack Obama speaks during Public Homegoing Service for Rev. Jesse Jackson at House of Hope in Chicago. (Erin Hooley/AP)
When Waters commanded the microphone, she only had a chance to say that “Jesse Jackson changed my life” before technical difficulties occurred. However, that was probably a good place to end — her words were shared by many in the audience and viewers who felt the same way about the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passage among us.
30 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Religion & Spirituality Faith leaders push for access to ICE detention centers during Lent and Ramadan By GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO Associated Press The long-held practice of faith leaders ministering to detained migrants has become far more contentious — and consequential — as detention numbers soar across the United States during the federal government’s immigration crackdown. Clergy are pushing for more access at detention centers, especially during the ongoing holy seasons of Lent and Ramadan. After celebrating an Ash Wednesday service with four migrants who had just arrived at a detention center near Chicago, clergy there are working with immigration authorities to set up regular visits. At the start of Ramadan, a Muslim chaplain was allowed to visit two women held for many months in immigration detention in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She is hoping to return throughout the fasting month. “In systems that are made to break them, it is very important that they not only get that care, but they also get adequate care with someone that can help them make meaning of their situation by bringing God,” chaplain Nosayba Mahmoud said. After months of liaising with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Prairieland Detention Facility in Texas, she was allowed to bring the women dates to break the Ramadan fast as well as softcover Qurans. But it took a lawsuit — one of two recently filed after clergy said they were denied access in Illinois and Minnesota — for a Catholic contingent to get into the ICE facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview on Ash Wednesday. “It’s an important victory,” said the Rev. David Inczauskis, a Jesuit priest and member of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, which filed the Chicago lawsuit. “But also we recognize that it’s just one step along the way to migrant justice.” ICE detention centers expand and draw scrutiny Since President Donald Trump began his second term, the number of people detained by ICE has in-
creased to as many as 75,000 from 40,000, spread across more than 225 sites as capacity expands. The largest site is Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, where an average of about 3,000 people have lived per day. The Trump administration has repeatedly portrayed its mass deportation efforts as targeting immigrants who are a danger to society, but data from the Deportation Data Project shows that the percentage of people arrested by ICE with criminal histories has steadily decreased. It’s not clear how Thursday’s ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will affect detention centers, but the centers have come under mounting criticism, including from members of Congress, about living conditions and inconsistent access to legal representation. ICE facilities that hold detainees for more than 72 hours are required to have a chaplain or “religious services coordinator,” as well as dedicated spaces for services, ICE told the Associated Press. ICE policy requires advance notice and background checks for clergy and faith volunteers who want to provide pastoral visits, counseling, and religious services, the agency added. ICE detainees come from all over the world, but historically, most were born in Christian-majority countries.
Similarly, Mahmoud, the Muslim chaplain in Texas, said she would like to provide prayer cloths, especially during Ramadan, but so far hasn’t been allowed to.
Father Leandro Fossá, CS, Fr. Paul Keller, CMF, and Sr. Alicia Gutierrez, SH, are escorted by police officers into the Broadview, Ill., detention center on Ash Wednesday. (Derek Carter photo courtesy of Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership)
faith leaders are “cautiously optimistic” that they might arrange a regular schedule to visit, offer prayers, and bring items like rosaries and Bibles, Inczauskis said. Such access also could benefit the federal agents — three of them asked to receive ashes alongside the migrants, he added. In Minneapolis, the Rev. Chris Clergy sue over access to deten- Collins, also a Jesuit priest, was tion centers denied entry into a federal buildThe two lawsuits center on ing where raucous protests ocaccess at federal buildings on the curred daily during the surge. outskirts of Chicago and Minne- With Minnesota branches of the apolis, where clergy said detainees Evangelical Lutheran Church in were held for multiple days during America and the United Church the respective enforcement surges of Christ, Collins sued the governlast fall and earlier this winter. ment in February for being “cateBoth lawsuits claim the govern- gorically denied” the opportunity ment violated religious freedom by to provide pastoral care. not allowing the clergy to minister to migrants. Faith leaders say access is inconThe Illinois case said faith leaders sistent were barred from the Broadview Clergy and volunteers from difcenter on some occasions starting ferent faiths have long ministered last fall — a change since a nun and to immigration detainees. member of the coalition that filed For about 15 years, the U.S. this lawsuit in mid-November had branch of Jesuit Refugee Service been visiting for approved weekly has had a contract with the Deprayers for a decade. partment of Homeland Security to After a judge ordered ICE to provide in-house chaplains at half a allow the Ash Wednesday visit, dozen centers, from near the Cana-
dian border in New York to Cuba’s Guantanamo Bay, said the nonprofit’s spokesperson, Bridget Cusick. Many of the clergy and volunteers involved say they are worried about inconsistent access. Yet they plan to keep up their ministry because they see it as vital to preserving the right to worship and reminding migrants of their humanity. “I’m the only outside contact that they have,” said Simran Singh, who started visiting Indian detainees at the Mesa Verde ICE facility in Bakersfield, California, a decade ago. “Most of their relatives are not in America … so I am the only one who knows they exist, that they’re more than just a number.” The Sikh volunteer added that on his weekly visits, detainees love the food from the gurdwara he brings — for some, it’s the only appropriate vegetarian food they have received while in custody. Others are grateful he delivers the turbans that observant men wear, which are often taken away upon detention. “That’s part of your identity. So not only are you stripped of your name, but you’re also stripped of who you are,” Singh said.
Catholic bishops demand more access In a letter to Congress last week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged “consistent access to religious and pastoral services for all immigration detainees,” and asked for “clear guidelines and uniform processes.” The bishops had already expressed concern about the lack of pastoral care in a fall statement strongly backed by Pope Leo XIV. For four decades, the Catholic archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, has been visiting migrants at the Krome Detention Center on the edge of the Everglades, where a weekly Mass is held. He’s also celebrated Mass at Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz, an even more remote and controversial center. In his homily there last Christmas, he told the dozens of mostly Latino and Latin American men that his presence was proof that they hadn’t been forgotten. “There are people outside that are praying for you,” Wenski recalled preaching. “God has not abandoned you.” At the largest detention center, in El Paso, a Sunday Mass is regularly celebrated, and priests also visit for confessions. But the access is “very limited” due to what the center’s management says is a shortage of staff and space, Bishop Mark Seitz said. In Southern California, the Rev. Brian Nunes, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, celebrated two Masses recently at the large detention centers in Adelanto and California City, where many struggle with separation from family and their communities. He, too, hopes to expand care. “There’s also, on a very important level, this sense that … even when it’s difficult to serve them, that they were served,” Nunes said. ___ AP journalist Morgan Lee contributed from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 31
Willie Colón: The good, the bad, and the ugly
The music's genius was undeniable. The politics were not. By AURORA FLORES HOSTOS Special to the AmNews For weeks now, low rumblings about Willie Colón’s hospitalization, followed by posts for prayers for the salsa legend, have spread across social media. Many journalists who knew him refrained from digging further, careful not to spark the feisty musician’s ire or that of his team. We all knew his Kanyeesque tendencies — the 3 a.m. message-machine missives erupting if “musical genius” wasn’t used to describe him. Then the official news of Willie Colón’s passing at 75 hit hard Saturday morning. Those of us of a certain age remember the defiance of the sixties — street fights followed by club nights, black lights, and after-hours flights of fancy fading with the morning sun. The Bad Boys of Salsa are all gone now. Separating the man from the artist, Colón’s recordings with Héctor Lavoe, Yomo Toro, Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, Mon Rivera, Ismael Miranda, and so many others set a polyrhythmic stamp on an era. Around 1969, Lavoe’s voice rang out “Ché Ché Colé” over every dance floor, house party, and jive joint. That sound: brash trombone, streetwise swagger helped define salsa’s urban identity. At just 16, Colón released “El Malo” (1967) with Lavoe on Fania Records, considered the Motown of salsa music. Then came “Cosa Nuestra” (1969), his first gold record; “La Gran Fuga” (1970); “El Juicio” (1972); and “Lo Mato” (1973), albums that expanded salsa beyond barrio dance halls to global stages. His 1978 collaboration with Rubén Blades, “Siembra,” remains the bestselling salsa album of all time. It was not just a hit record; it was a political and musical manifesto. Colón’s achievements were recognized formally and culturally. His catalog earned multiple Gold and Platinum certifications. He received the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. Numbers aside, his horn changed the architecture of salsa — bringing it forward, unapologetic and bold. His trombone roared with confidence. The musician behind it, not so much. Willie Colón, the man, was complicated. His politics drifted far from the progressive undercurrents that framed our music in that era. He marched to support Mayor David Dinkins, then voted and worked for Giuliani and Bloomberg. He voted for Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2008, only to fully support Donald Trump twice. There was also the lawsuit against Rubén Blades, a public rupture that felt less like business and more like ego. Didn’t anyone advise him against suing a lawyer? Especially one from Harvard? I met Willie in the offices of Latin N.Y. Magazine in 1975. He threw spitballs while I wrote in the back office. He was annoying, loud, and full of himself, but he had a banging band and
a kick-ass singer. Although belligerent toward critics and hecklers, he was never political one way or the other — until Blades. That partnership — and its later fracture — revealed how politics and pride began intertwining in ways that were not always flattering. Still, Colón was capable of social courage. In 1989, he recorded “El Gran Varón,” written by Omar Alfanno — one of the first major salsa songs to confront HIV/AIDS, homophobia, and family rejection within Latino communities. The story of Simón, estranged and dying alone, pierced dance floors with uncomfortable truth. The song earned a Lo Nuestro Award and remains one of the most socially resonant tracks of his later career. His musical lineage is undeniable. In the footsteps of Barry Rogers, Mon Rivera, and Eddie Palmieri, Colón foregrounded the trombone as both rhythmic engine and emotional weapon. His music framed barrio realism, Afro-Caribbean identity, and diasporic pride in brass and percussion. It was a time when Boricuas marched alongside African Americans for civil rights, against war, for Black and Puerto Rican Studies, housing, and self-determination. We lived in the same projects, went to the same schools, had the same jobs, and ended up in the same jails. We Latined to salsa and shimmied to soul — SalSoul. When DJs broke hits, dance floors filled with boogaloo. The music moved with the movement. Colón’s brassy, defiant band of bandits became part of that soundtrack. The contradictions came later. The mythmaking. The insecurity. The political pivots. They complicated the legend but did not erase the work. In June 2004, Willie Colón received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lehman College. When I called to congratu-
late him, he retorted, “That and a token’ll get me on the train!” We stopped using tokens the year before. Willie Colón’s catalog remains: “The Hustler,” “Guisando,” “Siembra,” “Tras la Tormenta.” The collaborations. The risks. The boldness of a 17-year-old Bronx trombonist who helped birth a global sound. Willie Colón belonged to a generation of Latino male icons who helped soundtrack a radical moment in history: Black and Puerto Rican affirmations, anti-war marches, barrio solidarity — yet who were also shaped by machismo, ego, and a hunger for control in industries that rarely gave it to them. The outlaw branding, the bravado, the need to dominate the narrative — these were not accidents. They were part of the architecture of the era. But movements outgrow their myths. The music, rooted in African rhythm and Caribbean memory, proved more durable than any one personality. The grooves carried consciousness long after interviews faded and lawsuits dissolved into footnotes. Those records spin on turntables from El Barrio to Panamá, from Cali to Santurce. Young bands still study the arrangements. The trombone still slices through dance floors like a West Side Story switchblade. Generations who never met him know the intro to 1978’s “Plástico” before the first lyric lands. When Rubén Blades calls out Latin American nations in a roll call of identity and accountability in “Plástico” from the “Siembra” album, it still resonates. If it sounded familiar during a recent Super Bowl moment, now you know why. Colón’s legacy, then, is not singular. It is communal. It belongs to Lavoe’s voice, to Blades’ pen, to Yomo’s cuatro, to Celia’s roar — and to
Willie Colón performing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 14, 2023. (Creative Commons photo)
Willie Colón in 1969, in a Fania Records publicity photo. (Public domain photo)
every kid in the Bronx who picked up a horn believing it could change the world. Perhaps that is the real measure. The man wrestled with his era. The music transcended it. May the Universe receive Willie Colón with the same thunder he gave us — and may we remember him at his best, when the brass was bold and El Barrio, like Benito today, believed anything was possible. © Aurora Flores Hostos, 2026 This is a revised and updated version of an article that first appeared at Substack Salsa Diaries: aurorafloreshostos.substack.com.
32 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
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NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STORMFIELD OPPORTUNITY FUND, LP, Plaintiff, vs. GLOTSER LIVING, LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 9, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on March 31, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 166 East 63rd Street, Unit 16D, Manhattan, NY 10065. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 1397 and Lot 1341, together with an undivided 0.611252 percent interest in the Common Elements, as well as all personal property of Borrower as identified in that certain Mortgage, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of September 17, 2021, and recorded on October 7, 2021 as CRFN 2021000395478, and excluding any funds held by Plaintiff in any reserve, escrow, or suspense fund, and excluding any funds held by Plaintiff in any cash management account. Approximate amount of judgment is $970,128.57 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850572/2023. Roberta Ashkin, Esq., Referee Polsinelli PC, Aaron P. Davis, Esq., 600 Third Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10016, Attorneys for Plaintiff
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Notice of Qualification of ESPN CLASSIC, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/16/96. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of The Becoming Agency LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/02/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 01/20/2026. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc.: 7014 13th Avenue , Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY, 11228. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 142 Autumn Ln, Altoona, PA 16601 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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Notice of Qualification of ESPN PRODUCTIONS, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/16/94. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Qualification of HARVEY CAPITAL MASTER FUND, L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/20/26. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Cayman Islands (C.I.) on 07/02/25. Princ. office of LP: 190 Elgin Ave., Grand Cayman, C.I. KY1-9008. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. Cert. of LP filed with Registrar of Partnerships, Government Administration Bldg., 133 Elgin Ave., George Town, Grand Cayman, C.I. KY1-9000. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of HARVEY CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/20/26. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/07/25. Princ. office of LP: 888 7th Ave., 27th Fl., NY, NY 10106. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o The Corporation Trust Co., Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of formation of Inverniam Consulting LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/04/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.: 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202 BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of ENDYMION GROUP LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/29/25. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.: 7014 13TH AVENUE , SUITE 202 BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Epj Psych LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/15/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Legal Zoom: 9000 Spectrum Drive Austin Texas 78758. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of 149 West 126th Street, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/03/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to 149 West 126th Street, LLC: 149 West 126th Street, New York, NY 10027. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of New York's Studio Salon, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on April 1st, 2025. Office location: Queens. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Evelin Enciso: 10835 53rd ave 2F, NY, New York 11368. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Qualification of TERMINAL F&B TRS (UPSCALE) LP Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/26. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/28/26. NYS fictitious name: TERMINAL F&B TRS (UPSCALE) L.P. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. CYNDE IVERSON DESIGNS, LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/17/2025. Office: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 263 W 136th St, New York, NY 10030. Purpose: any lawful act.
{* AMSTERDAM*} Notice of Qualification of BLACKSTONE TACTICAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND (ROBERT CO-INVEST) (CYM) L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/05/26. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Cayman Islands (C.I.) on 02/02/26. Princ. office of LP: Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, C.I. KY1-1104. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. Cert. of LP filed with Registrar of Exempted Limited Partnerships of the C.I., 133 Elgin Ave., George Town, Grand Cayman, C.I. KY1-9000. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of formation of Wifi Shark LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/23/2024. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Joshua Ryan Gerson: 326 Columbus Ave Apt 5J, New York, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
101 LEGAL NOTICES SUMMONS Index No. 850443/2025 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF NEW YORK WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF OBX 2024NQM7 TRUST, Plaintiff, -vsREUVEN SAGI, whether he/ she be alive or dead, or the successor in interest, if any, of said defendant who may be deceased, and the respective Heirs at Law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; ZAHRA ALSHUMARY; JOHN DOE #2, individual whose name remains unknown to Plaintiff; JANE DOE #1, individual whose name remains unknown to Plaintiff; JOHN DOE #3, individual whose name remains unknown to Plaintiff; JANE DOE #2, individual whose name remains unknown to Plaintiff; Defendants. Mortgaged Premises: 632 West 158th Street, New York, NY 10032 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. Your failure to appear or answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you, unless the Defendant obtained a bankruptcy discharge and such other or further relief as may be just and equitable. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer to the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. NEW YORK County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the mortgaged premises. Dated: August 13, 2025 Mark K. Broyles, Esq. FEIN SUCH & CRANE, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff Office and P.O. Address 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, New York 14614
Dated: August 13, 2025 Mark K. Broyles, Esq. FEIN SUCH & CRANE, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff Office and P.O. Address 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, New York 14614 Telephone No. (585) 232-7400 Block: 2134 Lot: 156 NATURE AND OBJECT OF ACTION The object of the above action is to foreclose a mortgage held by the Plaintiff recorded in the County of NEW YORK, State of New York as more particularly described in the Complaint herein. TO THE DEFENDANT, the plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. To the above named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. FRANCIS A. KAHN, III Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated February 19, 2026 and filed along with the supporting papers in the NEW YORK County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a Mortgage. ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan Mortgaged Premises: 632 West 158th Street, New York, NY 10032 Tax Map/Parcel ID No.: Block: 2134 Lot: 156 of the Borough of Manhattan, NY 10032 89336
101 LEGAL NOTICES
SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. BOARD OF MANAGERS OF 30 WEST 90TH STREET CON‑ DOMINIUM, Plaintiff ‑against‑ ALBERT RUSSO and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated January 5, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Court‑ house, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on March 31, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Unit No. 9D in the building des‑ ignated as 30 West 90th Street Condominium, together with such Unit’s undivided 1.701% interest in the Common Ele‑ ments. Block: 1203 Lot: 1044. Said premises known as 30 WEST 90TH STREET, UNIT 9D, NEW YORK, NY 10024 Approximate amount of lien $33,259.09 as of January 1, 2024, together will all subse‑ quently accruing charges, plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 154906/2025. MARK MCKEW, ESQ., Referee Smith, Buss & Jacobs, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 733 Yonkers Avenue, Suite 200, Yonkers, NY 10704 {* AMSTERDAM*} NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. 57TH ST. VACATION OWN‑ ERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff ‑against‑ SAMUEL HARRIS DUNN, PAMELA DUNN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 19, 2025, I, the undersigned Ref‑ eree will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on March 31, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. prem‑ ises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, being an undivided ownership interest as tenant‑in‑common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an appurtenant
State of New York, being an NEWinterest YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS undivided THE ownership as tenant‑in‑common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an appurtenant NOTICE OF SALE undivided 0.00493200000% SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY common interest percentage. OF NEW YORK. This is a foreclosure on own‑ 57TH ST. VACATION OWNERS ership interest in a timeshare ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND unit, a studio penthouse on a THROUGH ITS BOARD OF floating use basis every year, DIRECTORS, Plaintiff ‑against‑ in accordance with and subject JOSEPH L. HUSSAIN, JUDITH to declarations. Declaration of ALLEY HUSSAIN, et al Defen‑ Covenants, Conditions and dant(s). Pursuant to a Judg‑ Restrictions dated October 10, ment of Foreclosure and Sale 2008 and October 31, 2008 as dated November 19, 2025, I, CFRN # 2008000426142 as re‑ the undersigned Referee will corded in the Office of the City sell at public auction in Room Register, County, City and State 252 of the New York County of New York. The Timeshare Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, Unit is also designated as Block New York, NY on March 31, 1009 and Lot 37. 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises Said premises known as 102 situate, lying and being in the WEST 57TH STREET, NEW Borough of Manhattan, Coun‑ YORK, NY 10019 ty of New York, City and State Approximate amount of lien of New York, being an undi‑ $15,932.55 plus interest & vided ownership interest as costs. tenant‑in‑common with other Premises will be sold subject owners in the Timeshare Unit to provisions of filed Judgment in the building located at 102 and Terms of Sale. West 57th Street, New York, NY. Index Number 850344/2023. Together with an appurtenant JASON PAUL SACKOOR, undivided 0.00986400000% ESQ., Referee common interest percentage. DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP This is a foreclosure on own‑ PLLC ership interest in a timeshare Attorney(s) for Plaintiff unit, a studio penthouse on a 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, floating use basis every year, NY 11590 in accordance with and subject DLG# 39346 to declarations. Declaration of {* AMSTERDAM*} Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, NOTICE OF SALE 2008 and October 31, 2008 as SUPREME COURT. NEW CFRN # 2008000426142 as re‑ YORK COUNTY. USALLIANCE corded in the Office of the City FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BY Register, County, City and State MERGER WITH NEW YORK of New York. The Timeshare METRO FEDERAL CREDIT Unit is also designated as Block UNION, Pltf. vs., UNKNOWN 1009 and Lot 37. HEIRS AT LAW OF JAMES Said premises known as 102 MCCASKILL A/K/A JAMES WEST 57TH STREET, NEW MC CASKILL, HIS NEXT OF YORK, NY 10019 KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECApproximate amount of lien UTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, $14,380.10 plus interest & TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGcosts. ATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENPremises will be sold subject ORS, CEDITORS, AND SUCto provisions of filed Judgment CESSORS IN INTEREST, AND and Terms of Sale. GENERALLY ALL PERSONS Index Number 850113/2024. HAVING OR CLAIMING, UNJASON PAUL SACKOOR, DER, BY OR THROUGH SAID ESQ., Referee DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, PLLC INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHAttorney(s) for Plaintiff ERWISE, ANY RIGHT TITLE 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, OR INTEREST IN AND TO THE NY 11590 PREMISES DESCRIBED IN DLG# 39661 THE COMPLAINT HEREIN, {* AMSTERDAM*} ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF NOTICE OF SALE RESIDENCE ARE UNKNOWN SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY TO THE PLAINTIFF AND OF NEW YORK. CANNOT AFTER DILIGENT SBT ADVANTAGE BANK, INQUIRY BE ASCERTAINED, A DIVISION OF STERLING et al Deft. Index #850257/2022. BANK AND TRUST, FSB, Pursuant to amended judgment Plaintiff ‑against‑ YING MA, et of foreclosure and sale and al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a decision plus order on motion Judgment of Foreclosure and entered December 11, 2025, Sale dated July 18, 2025, I, the I will sell at public auction in undersigned Referee will sell Room 252 of the New York at public auction in Room 130 County Courthouse, 60 Cenof the New York County Court‑ tre Street, New York on April 7, house, 60 Centre Street, New 2026 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a 61 York, NY on Tuesday, March West 126th Street, New York, 31, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. prem‑ NY 10027 a/k/a Block 1724, ises situate, lying and being Lot 11. Approximate amount of in the Borough of Manhattan, judgment is $150,268.50 plus City, County and State of New cost and interest. Sold subject York, known as Unit No. 3C in to terms and conditions of filed the building known as "The Iris judgment and terms of sale and Condominium" together with an the right of the United States undivided 1.39842% interest in of America to redeem within the common elements. Block: 120 days from the date of sale 1198 Lot: 1117 as provided by law. CHRISTY Said premises known as 76 M. DEMELFI, Referee., MARWEST 85TH STREET, UNIT GOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, 3C, NEW YORK, NY 10024 LLP., Attys. for Pltf., 575 UnderApproximate amount of lien hill Blvd., Suite 224, Syosset, $418,807.83 plus interest & NY. #102753 costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS1 and Terms of Sale. LLC Articles of Org. filed Index Number 850678/2023. NY Sec. of State (SSNY) JEFFREY R. MILLER, ESQ., 02/03/2026. Office in New York Referee Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP upon whom process may be PLLC served. SSNY shall mail copy of Attorney(s) for Plaintiff process to 13251A POPLE AVE 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, # 2FLF, FLUSHING, NY 11355. NY 11590 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. DLG# 39519
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101 LEGAL NOTICES
101 LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NEW YORK COUNTY U.S. BANK TRUST BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COMMERCIAL CAPITAL LOAN TRUST 2022-2, Plaintiff against RAMON N. VELOZ, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered January 14, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Room 252 at the Supreme Court, New York County, 60 Centre Street, New York, New York on March 31, 2026 at 2:15 PM. Premises known as 4260 Broadway, Unit 604, New York, NY 10033. Block 2164 Lot 1067. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $432,147.86 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 850078/2025. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Referee will only accept a certified bank check made payable to the referee. Jason Paul Sackoor, Esq., Referee File # 25-000329-01
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST Joseph Ceccarelli; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 29, 2021, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, in Room 252, located at 60 Centre St, New York, NY 10007 on April 14, 2026, at 2:15PM, premises known as 200 East 32nd Street, New York City, NY 10016. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan City, County and State of New York, Block 912 Lot 1165. Approximate amount of judgment $1,676,660.05 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 850018/2017 Arthur Greig, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: February 26, 2026 89233
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NEW YORK COUNTY APEX CONDOMINIUM BOARD OF MANAGERS, Plaintiff against JMJ MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Mandelbaum Barrett PC, 570 Lexington Ave, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10022. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered January 15, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Room 252 at the Supreme Court, New York County, 60 Centre Street, New York, New York on April 14, 2026 at 2:15 PM. Premises known as 2300 Frederick Douglas Boulevard a/k/a 2300 8th Avenue a/k/a 270 West 124th Street, New York, NY, Unit CFU. Sec 7 Block 1929 Lot 1346. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $13,260.30 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 850101/2025. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Referee will only accept a certified bank check made payable to the referee. Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee File # 41718-001 1025 GARNETT HOLDINGS, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with the SSNY on 01/30/26. Originally filed with the Secretary of State of Montana on 08/27/25. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Stenger, Glass Hagstrom, Lindars & Ieule LLP, 1136 Route 9, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Plaintiff, vs. David M. Simon a/k/a David Simon, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on December 4, 2024, a Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on May 23, 2025 and a Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on January 12, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in room 252 of the New York County Courtroom, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on March 24, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 130 West 30th Street a/k/a 128134 West 30th Street, Unit No. 16A & Storage Unit 11, New York, NY 10001. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 805 and Lots 1043 & 1060 together with an undivided 2.241 percent and 0.079 percent interests respectively in the Common Elements (as such term is defined in the Declaration). Approximate amount of judgment is $943,764.76 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850382/2023. Tom Kleinberger, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 232572-1 Notice of Qualification of ESPN ENTERPRISES, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/15/89. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
34 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
101 LEGAL NOTICES
101 LEGAL NOTICES
101 LEGAL NOTICES
101 LEGAL NOTICES
101 LEGAL NOTICES
101 LEGAL NOTICES
Notice of Qualification of ESPN SALES & MARKETING, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/06/98. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Qualification of iVigee USA LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/17/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 02/19/2013. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to iVigee USA LLC: c/o Shui Ki Seto, M.D., 1500 District Ave, Burlington, MA 01803. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). c/o Shui Ki Seto, M.D., 1500 District Ave, Burlington, MA 01803 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Qualification of 127W28 HOTEL NOTEHOLDER, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/13/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/10/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o 109Co, 54 West 21st St., Ste. 607, NY, NY 10010. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Qualification of Loft on 53 White Street LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/30/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 05/19/2025. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to SSNY: c/o Clermont Directors (USA) Corp., 2 Righter Parkway, Suite 100, Wilmington, DE 19803. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Village West LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/18/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Evergreen Capital LP: 40 Bleecker St, Suite PH-F, NY, NY 10012. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Shelley Law PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 14, 2026. Office Location New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent for service of process. The address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon the PLLC is: Marc Shelley, 116 W. 22nd St., Unit 1, NY, NY 10011. The principal business address of the PLLC is 116 W. 22nd St., Unit 1, New York, NY 10011. Dissolution date: NA. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of formation of SORAVELLE LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/02/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Secretary of State of New York: 603 W 184TH STREET APT 1EF, NEW YORK, NY, 10033. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Qualification of ESPN, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/16/82. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF THE KADDU LAW FIRM, PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/10/2026. Office Location New York, County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The principal business address and the Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the PLLC served upon him/her is: 244 Fifth Ave Ste K252, New York, NY 10001/Allan Kaddu. Purpose: Legal Services. Notice of Qualification of LINK LOGISTICS REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/03/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/05/13. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of formation of The Picture Palace LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/26/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to SSNY: 228 PARK AVE S #603848, NEW YORK, NY, 10003, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Studio 258 LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/17/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Angelina DeSimone: 258 St. Nicholas Avenue #3C, New York, NY 10027. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of TEWARI LAW FIRM, PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/3/2026. Office Location New York County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against PLLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 43 West 43rd Street, Suite 439, New York, NY 10036. Purpose: any lawful purpose
Application for Authority of APG Six Int LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/20/2026. Formed in DE on 2/19/2026. Office loc.: NY County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail copy of process to 379 Thornall St., Fl. 9. Ste. 9, Edison, NJ 08837. The office address required to be maintained in DE is 919 N. Market St., Ste. 425, Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of formation filed with the DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of formation of NY WINDOWPRO LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/04/2025. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC. : 7014 13TH AVENUE , SUITE 202 BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of 2794 MILL AVE OWNER LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/23/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 1384 Broadway, Ste. 1004, NY, NY 10018. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Real estate. AQUILA STRATEGIES, LLC. App. for Auth. filed with the SSNY on 01/29/26. Originally filed with the Secretary of State of the District of Columbia on 01/08/24. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 958 Madison Avenue, Apartment 5F, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of BRIGHAM CONSULTING SERVICES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/24/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 360 W. 119th St., Apt. 4A, NY, NY 10026. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of TAX JOYERIA LLC . Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/23/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to CARLOS TAX: 71 WEST 47TH ST OFFICE 904 NEW YORK, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Thomaston Park LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/16/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc.: 7014 13th Avenue Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of D2 Communications LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/16/25. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.: 7014 13TH AVENUE , SUITE 202 BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Niner Ivy LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/9/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.: 7014 13TH AVENUE , SUITE 202 BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Lindi Gordon Photography, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/02/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to ZenBusiness: RA@ZenBusiness.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of NOT4SALE LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/06/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Michael Linczyc: 9 West 31st Street, Suite 26F, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of 113 West 126th Street, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/03/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to 113 West 126th Street, LLC: 149 West 126th Street, New York, NY 10027. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of IRVING GOODS, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/02/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to ERESIDENTAGENT, INC. : 1 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, SUITE 1204 NEW YORK, NY, 10020, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of GLOW PSYCHOTHERAPY MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, PLLC, a domestic PLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 1/16/2026. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the PLLC may be served and the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: 400 West 63 rd Street, Apt. 1102, New York, NY 10069. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Jenny Rader Bookkeeping LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/14/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Jenny Rader: 217 West 18th Street, New York, NY. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Emerson Rose Properties LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/29/2026. Office location: Kings County (Brooklyn). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Michael Emerson Ryan : mike@emersonroseny.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of SHEY DJF GROUP LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/29/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Jiafu Dong: 55 broad st. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Truffle Omelette LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/15/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to David Allee: david@davidallee.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Robert Rohan CPA, PLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/22/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as an agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to: 50 W 72nd St. Apt. 302. New York, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Social Atlas Media LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/10/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, INC. : 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY, 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of ALBERTCOLOR-HAIR NYC, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on July 01 2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC: 7014 13TH AVENUE SUITE 202 BROOKLYN NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of ECC BOWERY HOLDCO LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/28/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 575 Lexington Ave., Ste. 3120, NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 120072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of formation of Hawkes Fine Art LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/25/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc.: 7014 13th Ave, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Desiree Fisher Advisory Services LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/28/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to ZENBUSINESS INC.: 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
March March12, 12,2026 2026--March March18, 18,2026 2026••35 35
THE THENEW NEWYORK YORKAMSTERDAM AMSTERDAMNEWS NEWS
101 LEGAL NOTICES
101 LEGAL NOTICES
1 • February 20, 2025 - February 26, 2025
101 LEGAL NOTICES
101 LEGAL NOTICES
Notice of Formation of NEW AMSTERDAM CONCESSIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/22/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 214 West 42nd St., NY, NY 10036. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of HADII MEDIA LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/26/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Harold De Longchamp II: Harold.delongchamp@gmail.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Raven's Cake Studio LLC. Articles of 101 LEGAL NOTICES Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/15/2025. Office location: Notice County. is herebySSNY given desigthat a Albany license, serial #NA-0340-25nated as an agent of Limited 103028 for beer, wine & liquor Liability Company upon has been applied(LLC) for by the whom processtoagainst it may undersigned sell beer, wine be& served. SSNY should mail liquor at retail in a restauprocess to New York Law StateatDerant under the ABC 994 partment Of Ave., State:New RavenscakColumbus York, NY estudio@gmail.com. Purpose: 10025 for on-premises conAny lawful purpose. sumption; Limone LLC
Notice of formation of Hamilton Productions LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/17/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Kyle Hamilton: 2 Bethune St, 3B New York NY 10014. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Still Loft LLC. Articles of Organization NOTICE is hereby given that a filed with the Secretary of State license, number NA-0370-24of 135212 NY (SSNY) on 1/25/2006. Of-& for liquor, wine, beer fice location: New applied York County cider has been for by (Manhattan). SSNY designated the undersigned to sell liquor, aswine, an agent of cider Limited Liability beer & at retail in a Company whom bar/tavern(LLC) under upon the Alcoholic process may be Beverageagainst Control itLaw at 4371 3rd Ave; Bronx, NY mail 10457 served. SSNY should pro-in Bronx County for on premises cess to Val Moran: stillloftllc@ consumption. Zion Any Restaurant gmail.com. Purpose: lawful and Lounge Corp d/b/a Zion purpose. Restaurant and Lounge
CRESCENT ROAD LLC Articles Org. filed NY Sec. 101ofLEGAL NOTICES of State (SSNY) 10/10/2025. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. of LLC upon of whom Noticeagent of Qualification AP process be served.HOLDSSNY CREDITmay SOLUTIONS shall copy to INGSmail (AIV) II, of L.P.process Appl. for Auth.Madison filed withAve Secy.Ste of State of 169 38431, NY (SSNY) on10016. 01/08/25. Office New York, NY Purpose: location: County. LP formed Any lawfulNY purpose. in Delaware (DE) on 12/26/24. Princ. office of LP: Attn: General Counsel, 9 W. 57th St., 43rd Fl., NY, NY 10019. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. CATHECHIST SSNY shall mail process to the Partnership at the princ. office Cathechist. York, NY. Teach of the LP. New Name and addr. of catechism to children each general partnerand areadults, available from SSNY. DE addr.plans, of LP: create curriculum, lesson c/o Corporation Service Co., assessments, prepare children 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, for First Holy Communion, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with communicate withof the parents. The Secy. of State State Req’d: 2 years job duties. of DE, Dept. of ofexp. State, Div. of Corps., 9–2, John Townsend Tue–F Sat–Sun. Bldg., 9–5. Dover, DE 19901. $40,227/yr. Send Purpose: resume Any to lawful activity. Order of St. Basil the Great Holy
Notice of formation of Bondd Pilates, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/10/2025. Office location: New York. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Danielle Daubert: 370 E 76th Street Apt C909, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of 65-35 QB LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/13/2015. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to John Behette: jbehette@jovani.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. NOTICE Notice is hereby given that a license, number #RM 26-100589 for Beer And Wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Beer And Wine at retail in a Catering Establishment under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 171 Canal St., New York,NY 10013, New York County for on premises consumption. Italia Like Locals Inc., Italia Like Locals Inc.
The Law Office of Kate E. Roberts, PLLC Immigration Legal Services Business Address: 232 W. 116th Street, Unit 1645 New York, NY 10026 774-279-0190 Notice of formation of JINSAI LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/17/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Ameer Youssef: 72 Barrow Street Apt 2E, New York NY, 10014. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of APL Consulting Group LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/07/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Alyssa Fallon: alyssa@aplconsultinggroup.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Arlen Joy Caranay, NP in Psychiatry PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/30/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Arlen Joy Caranay : Arlenjoy.caranay@gmail.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Brian B Burgess LLC . Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/02/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Brian Burgess : signalspotwireless@ gmail.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Knolls Lodge Ventures LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/30/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Vikram Soni: vikssoni@gmail.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Cazera LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/06/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Luisa Zhou: 459 Columbus Ave PMB 4049, New York, NY 10024. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Dakini Ventures LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/27/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Alexis Hamill: alexis@dakiniventures. com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
195 HELP WANTED
101 LEGAL NOTICES
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195LEGAL HELP WANTED WANTED 101 NOTICES 195 HELP
Adams indic
At one point in her career, what it is to be an African she lived in Zimbabwe and only a woman knows Occupational Therapist Pri-with Continued from page 4 ority Care Staffing.as Fullnoted time. in what it is to be a woman and her daughter, Bronx. 75,712/year Margaret Busby’s (36.4/ “Daugh- can give expression to the hour) Evaluate patients’ ters of Africa,” which in- essence of being a woman.” conditions; Develop and cludes Aidoo’s story “Two Aidoo died on May 31, implement treatment plans; Sisters” among the promi2023, in Accra at age 81. Demonstrate exercises to help relieve pain; au- She was given a state funent workspatients’ by women Evaluate results and progthors. She told Busby that neral, followed by lying in ress of occupational therapy she wrote from the carepremise state at her hometown of on patients; Educate that an African knows Abeadzi Kyiakor. givers“only and family members of clients on patient care. usotjobs@prioritycarestaffing. com.
House flippers Continued from page 2
member or homeowners who can demonstrate a fiCross Ukrainian Catholic Church nancial hardship in the face NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION dba Saint George Academy, of a foreclosure sale, are inOF SANTA ANDREA I LLC. Audlubiv@gmail.com. thority filed with Secy. of State cluded in the bill. of NY (SSNY): 12/30/2025. OfFrom 2019 to 2023, a fice: NY County. LLC formed in DE: 11/08/2024. SSNY desigtotal of 11,688 homes were nated agent for service of proAPARTMENT FOR RENT flipped across Brooklyn, cess. SSNY shall mail process to: 200 E. 69th St., Unit 16D, NY, Queens, and the Bronx. NY 10021. DE addr.: 131 ConAPARTMENT FOR RENT The community districts tinental Dr., Suite 301, Newark, DE 19713-4323. Cert. of Form. with the top ten rates of filed with DE Secy. of State, P.O. 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home flipping citywide Box 898, Dover, DE 19903. Purapartment available now in pose: any lawful activity. Prospect Heights. Near all were more than 90% people public transit. Employment will of color, and more than half be verified. Price: $3,000/ Notice of formation of Wendy were majority-Black, said Li, MD, PLLC. Articles of Ormonth Contact (718)-875-3574 ganization filed with the Secthe Pratt Center report. retary of State of NY (SSNY) Communities like Harlem, on 11/13/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). East New York, and BedSSNY designated as an agent Stuy were hit the hardest. of Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) upon whom Rev. Christine Valentine, process against it may be 62, runs the Tabernacle served. SSNY should mail proTo display your cess to Wendy Li: li.wendy13@ Baptist Church and heads gmail.com. Purpose: Any lawful the New Lots Nehemiah purpose. Legal, LLC, and Homeowners Association Notice of formation of Alchemin Brooklyn. She has been classifieds ads ize LLC. Articles of Organization a homeowner in East New filed with the Secretary of State contact: of NY (SSNY) on 01/01/2026. York for 21 years. Valentine Office location: New York Counused to work as a paralegal ty (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited before the COVID pandemLiability Company (LLC) upon ic, making a much higher whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail salary, she said. But she lost process to Emmanuelle Arang: that job, and now works as 75 West St #11E New York NY (617) 704-3735 10006. Purpose: Any lawful purstaff for the Department of pose. Education (DOE), supportbrian.lawrence TO DISPLAY YOUR LEGAL, LLC, AND ing her household solely Notice of formation of Fortuna @amsterdamnews.com with her income. CLASSIFIEDS ADS CONTACT: Filmworks. Articles of Orga“There is a rise in property nization filed with the SecreALI MILLINER (347) 350-4316 tary of State of NY (SSNY) on values in the neighborhood, Or schedule your own 11/26/2025. Office location: ALI.MILLINER@AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM and we’d say that is a posiNew York County (Manhattan). Legal and LLC adverSSNY designated as an agent tive in equity and wealth, but of Limited Liability Company tising by scanning the that means higher property (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY OR SCHEDULE YOUR OWN BY taxes. That makes it harder QR Code should mail process to Jarritt SCANNING THE QR CODE for long-time residents to Negri: jarrittnegri@fortunafilmworks.com. Purpose: Any lawful pay bills,” said Valentine. purpose. Generally speaking, her monthly mortgage payment SMERALDO 75 LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State is about $2,500, and her (SSNY) 01/14/2026. Office annual property taxes are in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom proabout $5,800. She said that cess may be served. SSNY doesn’t include her utilities, shall mail copy of process to 75 Leonard Street, Apt 2NE, New water bill, heat/gas, or elecYork, NY 10013. Purpose: Any tric bill payments. lawful purpose. Valentine said she is dis-
Brian Lawrence
101 LEGAL NOTICES
NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS AmaTHEAta Aidoo
heartened by the change in the neighborhood as outside investors accelerate the effects of gentrification. “The cultural impact of homeownership from generation to generation should be protected. My nephew is 38 years old, and he can’t afford to buy a home here. So loss of generational wealth is a problem,” said Valentine. “We cannot stand by while harmful, speculative home flipping accelerates the disappearance of our Black communities. As a city, we have a responsibility to protect Black families, especially senior homeowners facing relentless pressure and first-time buyers locked out of an increasingly allcash market,” said Councilmember Sandy Nurse, who reintroduced Resolution 326 to call on the state legislature and the Governor to sign the bill. In a letter sent last week, BLAC Caucus councilmembers railed against the inflated costs that longtime Black homeowners have to contend with, pointing out that over 200,000 Black New Yorkers have already fled the city in search of affordable housing and job opportunities between 2010 and 2022. “Our neighborhoods should not be commodities for quick profit. I was proud to stand with members of the New York City Black Caucus in urging Governor Hochul to support and ultimately sign the legislation this session, for the protection of our generational wealth and long-term prosperity of the Black community in NYC,” said Nurse.
36 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
30th Street Shelter Continued from page 2
which represents the coalition in its ongoing settlement with the city over New York’s “right to shelter” protections, the groups raised concerns about the sudden closure. “For decades, the 30th Street facility has served as the primary intake center for adult men and adult families across all five boroughs,” the statement read. “Any disruption to this critical front door to shelter — especially on short notice — risks creating confusion and additional hardship for people who are already experiencing homelessness.” ‘Shocking’ The 30th Street Shelter has been the main front door into the city’s shelter system, which now houses more than 85,000 people on a given night. There are several hundred beds for men for shorter-term stays; men and adult families arrive for intake at the 30th Street facility before being assigned to shelters all across the city. The impact of the closure cannot be underestimated. For decades, information about the 30th Street location has been passed by word of mouth among anyone needing a place to stay in New York and beyond. People were still turning up and being taken in on Thursday: “I’m homeless. I just found out about this place yesterday,” said a man who said he’d come from New Jersey looking for a bed. Another man said he’d passed through Bellevue Hospital several times in the course of becoming homeless and finding shelter. “I’m just shocked that it’s closing,” he said, giving just his first name, Leor, before jumping on a bus to head to his newly assigned shelter. The nearly 100-year-old building first opened in 1933 as Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatric ward. The
ward later moved into Bellevue’s new hospital building down the block, and the city opened a shelter there in 1984. The Bloomberg administration attempted to shut down the shelter and even floated a plan to turn it into a luxury hotel, which was roundly criticized by advocates. The building is in dire need of fixes. In 2020, THE CITY reported it had long been plagued with hazardous conditions, from asbestos and serious fire safety violations to collapsing ceilings and faulty elevators. The closure comes at a transitional moment for the Department of Homeless Services. Molly Wasow Park, a longtime bureaucrat who led the agency during the historic migrant crisis, just tendered her resignation. Her replacement is Erin Dalton, tapped by Mamdani’s administration, who comes from leading the Allegheny County Department of Human Services in the Pittsburgh area. There, she oversaw a shelter system that had just about 1,000 residents — a small fraction of the size of New York City’s complex system, which includes hundreds of shelters among the five boroughs. It also comes as Mamdani is moving to shut down the last remaining largescale migrant shelter in the Bronx by the end of the year. Eddie Robinson said he’d gotten a notice this week telling him he’d be moved to a new location imminently. He recently ended up at Bellevue after he stopped being able to work a restaurant job in Harlem due to an injury and was kicked out of his apartment. “I’m sure it probably needs repairs,” he said. “A lot of mice, but so far as the building itself, it works, it’s livable, it’s clean, you know — but they know more than what we know.”
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 37
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S
Entrepreneur Kendra Bulluck revives HBCU’s Orange Blossom Classic By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews
Kendra Bulluck heads the Orange Blossom Classic, an annual football game featuring HBCU programs. (Orange Blossom Classic photo)
One of few Black women to lead a major collegiate football event, Kendra Bulluck revels in her role as executive director of the Orange Blossom Classic (OBC), a dynamic matchup between two HBCU schools that now takes place each Labor Day weekend. This year’s game will feature Florida A&M facing South Carolina State on September 6 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. With no background in sports but extensive experience as an entrepreneur and business professional, Bulluck’s drive to revive the OBC, which originally ran from 1933–78, was rooted in her father’s stories and his love for Florida A&M University (FAMU). “My dad always talked about the original Orange Blossom Classic and how instrumental the event was,” Bulluck said, noting the event’s cultural and commu-
nity significance. “It was a huge celebration of Black excellence. That was one of the things he loved most about it. It was bigger than just a football game. … I started to research the history of it and thought that it would be good for the current generation to experience it here in Florida.” Under Bulluck’s leadership, the OBC made its 21st-century debut in 2021 and, since then, has welcomed more than 100,000 fans to Hard Rock Stadium. Part of its return has been to enhance exposure for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their role in educating professionals and future leaders. One of its missions is to raise scholarship money — initiatives like the scholarship fundraising luncheon have generated more than $500,000 for underserved students. The OBC is a multi-day cultural experience that includes a battle of the bands, fan fest, tailgate, career fair, and vendor vil-
lage, which spotlights local and women-owned businesses. “I look at it as kind of an expanded version of an HBCU homecoming,” Bulluck said. “There’s something for everyone in the family. … We have the pre-party before the actual football game. Then, when it comes down to the football aspect … you want to bring schools that have a great product on the field (inviting conferenceleading schools) … and great entertainment.” Bulluck was recently named one of the “EBONY” Power 100 Leaders in Sports. In 2022, she launched the Elevate Now brand and the Elevation Experience to equip women with tools to excel in their careers and entrepreneurial endeavors in sports and entertainment. “I’m always an advocate for women who want to get into this space, and helping them figure out how to navigate it,” she said. “The beautiful thing about sports is that sports help to bring people together.”
Deadly Art of Survival magazine hosts sixth martial arts convention By LLOYD B. DAVIS Special to the AmNews The Deadly Art of Survival magazine hosted their sixth Martial Arts Convention on Sunday on Grand Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. At the event, martial arts schools and practitioners from around the country came together as a community in celebration of martial arts through various demonstrations and seminars. Participants at the convention talked about the physical and mental health benefits that martial arts bring. It was an all-day affair, filled with high flying kicks, advanced weaponry, and fists of fury. Some demonstrations were group activities, where the floor was filled with dozens of people — all practicing close combat fighting techniques. There were also seminars where masters or experts in their respective arts shared their knowledge to those in attendance. All ages participated and were showcased at the convention. From young girls to older men, everyone held their own. The DOAS Magazine is focused on showcasing martial artists who have been overlooked most of their career. The goal is to bring further awareness to under-appreciated teachers and students within the
On the martial arts showcased at the convention, he said it’s a mixture of different arts. Kaleak and other participants at the event appreciate the many benefits martial arts bring to Black people specifically. “It’s mentorship. I myself grew up without a father and I now teach a lot of after school kids. So the martial arts school acts as sort of a colony so to speak. Or a place where others can gather to get information and feel protected.” Professor Zahalea Anderson graced the cover of their magazine and held a seminar at the convention. Anderson from Long Beach, California was in attendance representing Raw Life Defense and Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu. “For me, it’s spirit, mind and body. Can’t have one without the Martial Arts instructor Grandmaster Soke Haisan Kaleak at the Deadly Art of Survival magazine martial arts other, keeps me grounded. It’s my convention. (Deadly Art of Survival Magazine photo) therapy, it’s my release, it’s my martial arts community. “We give martial artists that are known as they should be. love,”said Anderson. Nathan Ingram, founder of the not legends like Bruce Lee and Brooklyn native Soke Haisan “Me being a widow for three magazine and high-ranking jiu Chuck Norris, we give the legends Kaleak, who is a black belt hall years, that has truly helped me jitsu and karate practitioner, spoke that are in the community, that are famer, was the master of ceremo- survive everything that I need to about bringing light to those in working in the community. The nies for the convention. Kaleak has still take care of my two teenagers the martial arts community who unsung heroes, we give them the been a pillar within the New York and myself.” deserve their flowers. “This is to limelight.” City martial arts community and “Why would we come home with bring unity into the martial arts Ingram pointed out that many is also the New York representative bruises and bumps and cuts and world starting out with respect, of the people at the event were leg- for the DAOS Magazine. things? And we go back the next honor, and dignity. And this is ends in martial arts, but because of “The magazine is up to its 24th day. You know because we love it. what we represent in our maga- their underrepresentation in mar- edition,”said Kaleak. “It’s growing We have a passion for it. And we’re zine.” said Ingram. tial arts media, they are not as well bigger domestically as well.” here to stick it out until the end.”
38 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S
The Knicks look to ascend in the closing weeks of the regular season By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson is obstructed by Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard on Monday night in the Clippers’ 126-118 win in L.A. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Knicks are in an intense race for seeding in the Eastern Conference as the regular season rapidly moves to its conclusion. After encountering the Jazz last night in Utah, the Knicks have 15 more games remaining before their postseason schedule begins, with the Pacers up next tomorrow in Indianapolis. They were 41-25 when they tipped off against the young, talented, rebuilding Jazz. The No. 3 seed in the East, the Knicks were six games behind the conference-leading Detroit Pistons (46-18) and trailing the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics (43-22) by two and a half games. They led the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (4025) by just half a game. The Celtics became a greater threat to be the East representative in the Finals with the return of five-time All-NBA selection Jayson Tatum. He played his first game in 10 months (298 days) after rupturing his right Achilles tendon versus the Knicks in Game 4 of their East semifinals series last May.
“It’s been a long time coming just to get to this point,” Tatum said, following a 15-point effort in 27 minutes in the Celtics’ 120-100 win over the Mavericks. “Nights and days I dreamed about this moment and anticipation — the crowd. It’s been 42 and a half weeks since I last played in an NBA game…” The Knicks aren’t concerned with the Celtics or any of their closest competitors. Their objective, as head coach Mike Brown has often underscored, is to be ascending at this late juncture of the campaign. Careless protection of the basketball was their undoing in backto-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers (110-97) and Los Angeles Clippers (126-118) on Sunday and Monday respectively. “The biggest difference in the basketball game was our turnovers,” said Brown about the Knicks falling to the Clippers. “That fueled their break. But again, we had 18 or 19 turnovers last night. We had 20 tonight and for 24 points, and they outscored us by 14 points in just that area alone. I liked their fight. I liked the way that we played in the second half for the
most part. We just have to find a way to take care of the basketball. “The crazy part about it is we’ve been pretty good in that area,” Brown said. “But yesterday we weren’t and today we weren’t, so it’s one of those things we’re going to keep talking about, we’re going to keep showing it, and we’ll see how it goes forward. I don’t want to overreact to the two games, but on the road against good teams, it impacted the outcome of both games in a very heavy way.” Winning the margins will be a key determinant and indicator for where the Knicks will ultimately finish in the regular season standings and beyond. The granular details such as effort, minimizing imprudent fouls, and being on the plus side of 50-50 balls and second chance points could serve as the separator between success and disappointment. The Knicks end their five-game road trip against the Indiana Pacers tomorrow and will be back at Madison Square Garden on Sunday to host the Golden State Warriors and then for a rematch with the Pacers on Tuesday at MSG.
Columbia and Harvard to meet in the Ivy League Tournament semifinals By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews Columbia University women’s basketball dominated the first half of play against Harvard University in their final home game of the season at Levien Gymnasium in Manhattan this past Saturday. The score was 35–22 at the half. But Harvard came back out of their locker room a different team, pulling out a 68–64 comeback win thanks in large part to junior guard Karlee White, who had just four points in the first half, but 20 points in the second. There was much on the line for Columbia, 20-7 overall and 11-3 in their Ivy League schedule, playing in front of a sold-out crowd. A win would have secured the Lions’ fourth consecutive Ivy League regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Instead, Princeton (24-3, 12-2), the No. 23 ranked women’s team in Division I, secured the regular season championship and the top seed when action begins tomorrow. In the semifinals, Columbia, the No. 2 seed, will face No. 3 Harvard (1710, 10-4) while Princeton takes on
The Columbia Lions will face Harvard tomorrow (7:30 p.m.) at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in the Ivy League Tournament semifinals.
Harvard head coach Carrie Moore (c) with players Karlee White (l) and Olivia Jones (r). (Lois Elfman photos)
No. 4 Brown (16-10, 8-6). Only the first four teams in the standings qualify for the eight-team league tournament. Cornell is hosting the tournament in Ithaca. “Understanding that defense wins championships, we have to be able to expect more and be more intentional about what we’re doing,” said senior guard/ forward Perri Page, the game’s top scorer with 25 points and eight rebounds. “We weren’t really con-
nobody wanted the ball. We did not have a point guard on the floor today (metaphorically), and that was really challenging. Perri had to damn near play a heroic game. She had to do everything for us today. … She was in every important position and nobody else rallied around her. It was Perri playing against Harvard today. I really like our chances when I have five players on the court playing.” Thankfully, Griffith noted that
nected on the floor today.” Senior forward Susie Rafiu fouled out after only 17:31 minutes of play. Junior guard Riley Weiss, a six-time Ivy League Player of the Week in discussion for possible All America honors, was 3–14 in shooting with six of her 14 points coming on free throws. “There were a lot of individual errors that happened,” said head coach Megan Griffith. “We kept getting trapped from behind, and
this team doesn’t typically dwell on bad games and the players rarely repeat mistakes two games in a row. Since the Lions got into their flow this season, they have always responded strongly after a bad game. “I’m not worried about next weekend, I’m just frustrated with today,” said Griffith. “[After the game] I said to them, ‘Nobody deserves to have tears in this locker room because we did it to ourselves.’”
March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026 • 39
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S
Breanna Stewart leads Team Mist to the Unrivaled 3x3 championship By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews
Mist BC star Breanna Stewart (30) is defended by Breeze BC wing Rickea Jackson in the semifinals of the Unrivaled league’s postseason matchup. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Season two of the 3x3 league Unrivaled concluded on March 4 with No. 2 seed Mist BC (Basketball Club) defeating the topseeded Phantom BC 80–74 for the championship held at Sephora Arena in Medley, Florida, just outside of Miami. Breanna Stewart had 32 points and was named MVP. “I’m really happy to be able to win here, especially how last year went,” said Stewart, co-founder of Unrivaled. “The Misties were a little bit not as good (the Mist failed to qualify for the playoffs in season one), but also playing through injury. So, being healthy and being back playing, I’m really happy to win for my teammates.” Stewart said some of her teammates even asked how to spray the champagne. “That moment of winning, when you feel that the first time, you don’t forget it, and then you want to keep feeling
it,” said Stewart, who has won at every level with four NCAA Championships, three WNBA Championships, and three Olympic gold medals to her name. “I pride myself on being a winner and continuing to uplift and build a space for all players.” The other members of the Mist were Allisha Gray, Veronica Burton, Arike Ogunbowale, Li Yueru, and Alanna Smith. “The character in this group and the winning mentality, the winning history in this group, I think they’ve seen every situation. They know how to close these games,” said Mist head coach Zach O’Brien. Phantom put up a ferocious fight with Kelsey Plum in her first season with Unrivaled, scoring 40 points and setting a new league playoff record. Rookie Kiki Iriafen had 13 points and 11 rebounds. “Unrivaled has been a tremendous success from year one to year two,” said Stewart. “I think what this league has proved about
itself is, obviously, from the business aspect, you see the money, the numbers, everything going up. Also, you see the level of play from year one to year two.” Unrivaled is based in Miami, but this season the league took two road trips — one to Philadelphia mid-season and last week to Brooklyn, playing its semi-final games before a sold-out crowd at Barclays Center. Phantom defeated Vinyl and Mist defeated Breeze to advance to the championship game. “Shout out to the fans,” said Stewart. “Whether we’re here at our home base or we’re in Brooklyn or we’re in Philly, people continue to show up and support us.” Chelsea Gray, who won the league’s one-on-one tournament, was named season MVP. Aliyah Boston was Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year. First Team All-Unrivaled was Gray, Paige Bueckers, and Plum. Second Team was Boston, Allisha Gray, and Brittney Sykes.
Unrivaled semifinals rocks Brooklyn before the crowing chip game By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews
“I wrote 29 things I was thankful for this morning, and it’s just like being able to play basketball for a living,” said Ogunbowale, who plays for the WNBA’s Dallas Wings and is a two-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP. “Like people get off work and go play basketball as an extracurricular, but I wake up, and all I have to do is work out, play basketball, and I get paid a good amount of money, so it’s definitely a blessing to be able to wake up and play basketball and be healthy and play with this group.” Stewart, a co-founder of Unrivaled, said the game being held at the Barclays had a special meaning for her because it’s the Liberty’s basketball residence. “This is my home,” she said. “This is where I want to be and to be able to celebrate that with all of the fans, with my Misties
… You could feel the excitement whether it was cheering for us or for the Breeze. But we know down the stretch everybody was cheering for us. Being back at Barclays (Center) was really exciting. It’s something that, once I knew it was happening, I was like, ‘My team has to be here.’ I want to be playing in this game.” But Unrivaled playing their semifinals in Brooklyn was more than a doubleheader. It was a celebration of women’s basketball at the home of the 2024 WNBA champions. With the scheduled May 8 start of this year’s WNBA season in doubt as players and owners have yet to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement, it’s uncertain when women’s basketball will be played at Barclays Center again. But for one night in Brooklyn, Unrivaled reminded us how far women’s basketball has come.
continues to fade.” The only hope for boxing? Continued from page 40 “A real star coming out of the 2028 Summer [Olympic] Games “Yes,” he states flatly. “The in Los Angeles would become the people in the sport today have beginning. That would go a long made it a sideshow. It’s cartoon- way to restoring it as a sport.” ish. It’s no longer a sport, and it With Mayweather and Pacquiao
stepping into the squared circle (hopefully) for the last time, the question is, why? It’s very simple: It has always been and will always be about the money. Don’t believe anything else. Boxing has too many champi-
Before Unrivaled crowned the No. 2 seed Mist BC champion at Sephora Arena in Medley, Florida, as the squad defeated the No. 1 seed Phantom BC 80-74, the 3x3 basketball league took over the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on March 2 for the semifinals in front of a sold-out crowd of 18,261. Watching from courtside were Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame firstballot inductees Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, and Lisa Leslie. In the opening contest, the No. 1 seed Phantom took down the No. 6 Vinyl 83-75, followed by the Mist overcoming a 16-point deficit to defeat the No. 5 Breeze 73-69. New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart scored a game-high 23 points for the Mist and Arike Ogunbowale added 21 on her 29th birthday.
Boxing
The Mist’s Arike Ogunbowale helped drive her team to semifinal and championship wins in the Unrivaled league. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
ons and too many organizations and too many fees to said organizations. If a fighter unifies the title, you can bet one or more organizations will strip him if he doesn’t face some handpicked “Number One” contender that half the
planet has never heard of. To prove my point, do you remember who Mike Zambidis, Rico Verhoeven, and Arslanbek Makhmudov are fighting? Take your time while I lock in my non-fight plans for Sept. 19. Turning off the TV is a start.
40 • March 12, 2026 - March 18, 2026
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Sports The Jets reach back to the past for stabilizing QB Geno Smith By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Geno Smith has returned to the Jets. It’s a reunion that can be mutually beneficial. The Jets need a stabilizing quarterback, and Smith needs a reboot. After a tumultuous 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he threw an NFL-leading 17 interceptions and his team finished 3-14 (tied with the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans for the worst record in the league), Smith and the Jets are wedded again — albeit for a short-term commitment. The Jets acquired Smith on Tuesday from the Raiders, trading a 2026 sixthround pick and receiving the 35-yearold veteran along with a seventh-round pick in next month’s draft. He will provide Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, both of whom were rookies in their respective positions, a competent presence under center who can be a valuable source of their job security as the duo has a mandate to develop a team that shows demonstrable progress in the second year of their tenure.
The Jets acquired quarterback Geno Smith, who played for them from 2013 to 2016, on Tuesday in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Smith was selected by the Jets in the second round (39th overall) out of West Virginia in 2013 and played 33 games for them from 2013 to 2016, starting 30 of them. He tore his ACL in Week 7 in 2016. The most unfortunate — and perhaps de-
in 2018 before a career epiphany with the Seattle Seahawks, becoming a two-time Pro Bowler (2022 and 2023) and the 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. The Seahawks, who won the Super Bowl last month with former Jets first-round pick, quarterback Sam Darnold, at the controls, traded Smith to the Raiders in March 2025 for his lone season with Las Vegas. “Complete full circle moment back to where it all began,” Smith told the NFL Network on Tuesday via text. “I’m excited to connect with my new teammates and coaches and everyone in the building, as well as build a new relationship with the fanbase and community.” The Jets, who have two first-round picks (Nos. 2 and 16) in April’s draft, will install Smith as the starter and build out their roster, focusing on other positions of need, particularly on the defensive side of fining moment of his tenure with the Jets the ball, where they ranked 31st out of 32 — was sustaining a broken jaw after being teams in points allowed (29.6) per game. punched by teammate IK Enemkpali in Currently holding three first-round picks the Jets’ locker room in August 2015. in next year’s draft, they will use that capHe had inconsequential stops with the ital on securing what they hope will be Giants in 2017 and Los Angeles Chargers their long-term franchise QB.
With boxing on the decline, Mayweather-Pacquiao a hard pass 01448 II is2/12/26 11/27/25 AM News
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can’t fight) Paul, and Tyson Fury vs. Fran- East, who in their right mind wants to go cis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight to Egypt or Saudi Arabia to watch boxing? champ (no pro fights). Even former champ Fury (34-2-1; 24 In the past, there were always farces KOs) gets into the fray by coming out of in the ring. Former champ George Fore- retirement (again) to meet unknown ArAM News man once battled five fighters on oneAM cardNews slanbek Makhmudov (21-2; 19 KOs) April (1975), and you can’t forget Muhammad 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, North 12/4/25 Ali vs. wrestler Antonio Inoki (1976). 2/19/26 London. It’s getting worse today as Mayweather Boxers used to be measured by the best (50-0; 27 KOs), before fighting Pacquiao fighting the best. Now, it’s the best fighting (62-8-3; 39 KOs), is going to have exhibi- whoever is unknown and poses no threat. tions against Mike Zambidis in Athens, Former President and CEO of Time AM News Greece, a kickboxer (157-24; 87 AM KOs)News Warner Sports, Seth Abraham, is not imlast fight was in 2015. pressed with what’s passing for boxing. 12/11/25 whose 2/26/26 Then he’s also going up against Tyson, “It’s hardly a sport,” says Abraham, a maybe in the Democratic Republic of member of the International Boxing Hall Congo, or maybe not at all. of Fame who oversaw big-name fighters And there is more trouble ahead for like Tyson, Ray Leonard, and Oscar De boxing as former super middleweight La Hoya battle on HBO. “It is somewhere AM News champ Canelo Alvarez’s next fight AM is inNews between Vaudeville, Burlesque, and PT Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (September 12), Barnum, and he would be right at home.” 12/18/25 03/5/26 Manny Pacquiao (left) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. share a moment of sportsmanship after while true heavyweight champ OleksanIs boxing killing boxing? their May 2, 2015, welterweight title fight. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) dr Usyk (24-0; 15 KOs) will face Rico VerSee BOXING on page 39 By TONY PAIGE Pass! hoeven (May 23) at the Pyramids of Giza Special to the AmNews That’s right, I will try my best to be busy in Egypt. Verhoeven is the greatest heavythat night while the two Hall of Fame weight kickboxing champ (66-10; 21 KOs) AM News AM News When it was announced that, after 11 grandpas go at it. who has a 1-0 record as a boxer. years, Floyd “Money” Mayweather (49) was Boxing is in a dark place because comThe WBC, in its ultimate wisdom,3/12/26 has 12/25/25 coming out of retirement to face rival Manny petitive fights are not the norm. elevated this fight from “Special Event” Pacquiao (47) on Sept. 19 at the Sphere in Las Boxing has seen recent head-scratch- status to a full-fledged title fight. Vegas, I had only one reaction. ing matchups like Mike Tyson vs. Jake (I But with the ongoing war in the Middle
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