New York Amsterdam News May 7 - 13, 2026

AT HOME IN HARLEM

ARTIST MICHAEL CUMMINGS, A WEALTH OF CULTURE

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New Close Rikers czar Dana Kaplan has same goal

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff

Mayor Zohran Mamdani officially named Dana Kaplan the inaugural Close Rikers czar on April 28.

Kaplan is a criminal justice reformer who has spent roughly the past decade championing the long-troubled Rikers Island jail complex’s closure and remains an original mind behind the city’s borough-based jail plan. Now that the mayor has officially named her Close Rikers czar, she will lend her expertise to his administration as it seeks to shut down the facility, which opened in 1932.

“My job is to move heaven and earth to close Rikers Island as quickly as possible,” said Kaplan in a phone interview. “What that entails is coordinating across all of the agencies and partners to reduce the jail population, advance these borough-based facilities, ensure a safe transition, and not lose sight of improving conditions on Rikers Island right now.”

The role stems from a passed City Council bill sponsored by Councilmember Sandy Nurse to establish “a coordinator of the transition to borough-based jails and a department of correction coordinator for borough-based jail transition.” Kaplan’s appointment fulfills this legal requirement.

“I passed Local Law 140 to ensure the city

fulfills its legal and moral obligation to close Rikers Island,” said Nurse. “The previous administration willfully ignored that law and real people suffered because of it. Mayor Mamdani’s swift appointment of Dana Kaplan to the Close Rikers coordinator both fulfills the law and is an encouraging sign that this administration understands the urgency. I look forward to working with her to finally close Rikers Island.”

Just little over a year remains for the city to meet the legal deadline to shutter Rikers Island, but the closure plan depends on constructing four borough-based jails to hold the remaining people in custody and those facilities’ projected completion dates range from 2029 to the early 2030s. Another mandate calls for the city to repurpose the island, which is in the East River just north of La-

MTA invests $20M to fight childhood asthma problems in the Bronx

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

New York City’s environmental justice activists have long been sounding the alarm about the disproportionate effects of toxic air and pollution on communities of color. This week a little more progress was made when Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a $20 million Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) investment to improve childhood asthma outcomes in the Bronx.

The funding is coming from the MTA’s congestion pricing mitigation program, which has allocated $100 million to neighborhoods disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution and climate impacts.

“New Yorkers are already benefitting from congestion pricing, and now we’re taking it a step further by investing those funds to improve asthma outcomes for children in the Bronx,” said Mamdani in a statement. “Every New Yorker deserves to breathe cleaner air. This initiative puts public health front and center as we build a cleaner, healthier city.” Nationally, the statistics show that Black children are the most likely to have asthma.

Black legislators and activists mount defense to SCOTUS Voting Rights Act decision

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

As critics reacting to the Supreme Court ruling in the Louisiana redistricting case, saying it “guts” the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 protections, Black congressional and legal leaders have already convened to mount a defense and rally behind the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025.

“We did not become a truly multi-racial democracy until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 enforced the 15th Amendment because Black Americans demanded the right to be seen, heard, and counted. That progress was paid for in blood, in sacrifice, and in unbreakable resolve,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke at a press conference on April 29.

The Louisiana v. Callais case centered on the constitutionality of Louisiana’s congressional map, which provided two majorityBlack districts situated in New Orleans and Baton Rouge in 2024. This map came out of years of litigation under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in Robinson v. Landry. The argued over section of the VRA of 1965 prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, color, or minority group; which of course is rooted in the 14th and 15th Amendments.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on April 29 states that the Louisiana map is an “uncon-

stitutional racial gerrymander” because the VRA did not require the state to create an additional majority-minority district and that there was “no compelling justification” for the use of race in its creation. Those com-

pletely opposed said that this decision is “a devastating blow” to critical civil rights protections by permitting states to use “partisan gerrymandering,” which affects a community's ability to select its preferred leaders.

“With

Reentry nonprofit workers at Fortune Society and Osborne Association seek to unionize

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

Employees at two of New York City’s most prominent reentry nonprofits are pushing to make the missions they promote to the public apply on the inside as well. On May 1, staff at The Fortune Society and Osborne Association delivered letters to their organization’s leadership announcing that they wish to form unions with the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 153.

As Fortune Workers United and Osborne Workers United, workers say they will push for living wages, stronger workplace protections, and the chance to have a meaningful say in how services are delivered to New Yorkers who are coming home from terms of incarceration. Fortune and Osborne employees work in offices and on housing sites, at courthouses, and inside jails and prisons, helping justiceimpacted people navigate housing, employment, benefits, treatment, and reunification with family. Workers at both nonprofits say some staff are former clients — or have lived experience with incarceration themselves — and that the strain they feel on the job can ripple outward, affecting the stability and the quality of care participants receive.

Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society is a New York City nonprofit known for combining direct services with advocacy for alternatives to incarceration. Osborne Association,

founded in 1933, is one of the state’s largest providers of direct services for people affected by incarceration, combining programming with system-reform advocacy. Now, workers at both organizations say the values they promote publicly — dignity, equity, and safety — need to be extended to staff as well.

In their letters to the leaders of Fortune and Osborne, workers at both organizations emphasized that the job itself isn’t the problem; it’s ineffective job structures. At Fortune, the letter framed unionizing as a way to protect both staff and the people they serve. “We love our work at Fortune. Every day we get to support New Yorkers returning home so that they can have access to housing, education, healthcare, and employment,” said G. Etoniru, a grant writer at Fortune Society. “We do everything we can to support our clients. Yet we, the workers at Fortune, many of whom are impacted by the criminal legal system and have been past participants at Fortune, often don’t have the pay, benefits, and respect we need to survive in NYC. How can we effectively support our clients when we aren’t provided the resources to care for ourselves?”

The Fortune letter noted that many employees have lived experience in the criminal legal system — and want a stronger voice in decisions that shape the day-to-day services they deliver. Caleb Knight, a creative arts senior associate at Fortune Society, told the Amsterdam

Report finds living wage gap increases — and racial wealth gap is broad

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

A new report found that by 2025, only about half of U.S. full-time workers earned enough income to meet the cost of everyday housing, food, and childcare necessities.

The “Earning Enough: Living Wage Access in America 2026” report comes from the human resources consulting firm Dayforce and the Living Wage Institute, a for-profit benefit corporation. It shows that while paycheck amounts are rising, they are not keeping pace with soaring costs for essentials like housing, food, and childcare. The number of fulltime workers who earn what the report defines as a living wage fell from 55.8% in 2021 to 50.7% in 2025, a drop of 5 percentage points in four years.

The study finds that gaps by race and gender are continuing –– and widening –– with Black workers and Latino workers among those least likely to reach the living-wage benchmark.

The wage decline can be seen in most regions of the country, including many of the nation’s biggest population centers. The report’s analysis found that salaried workers were far more likely to earn a living wage than hourly workers: 83.1% of salaried employees earned a living wage, compared with 30.3% of full-time hourly workers. That gap stands out because hourly jobs are typically held by workers of color. Such jobs are often “essential worker” positions, in areas like healthcare, emergency services, grocery stores and restaurants, childcare, mail and delivery services, and transportation, that the larger community relies on for daily life.

The report also found that 58.7% of men earned a living wage in 2025, compared with 43.7% of women. That means if a woman is the main household earner — and in particular, a single mother — “earning enough” is nearly impossible, even with full-time work.

Numbers

for Black workers are especially alarming

The “Earning Enough” report’s most urgent element was its racial breakdown. In 2025, only 31.2% of Black full-time workers earned a living wage, compared with 60.4% of white workers. Latino workers stood at 33.3%, also far below the benchmark reached by white workers. For many Black workers, full-time employment does not necessarily lead to stability. Families are more likely to face tradeoffs between rent and childcare, groceries and transportation, and prescriptions and utilities. The new report also points to declines

in living-wage access for both Black and Latino workers since 2021. Even if some employers increased wages after the COVID19 pandemic, the price increases that have led to the affordability crisis helped deepen the racial gap, the report says.

However, the data reveals one limited bright spot among the youngest workers: Generation Z’s living-wage access increased to 29.4%. However, most Gen Z workers are still not earning enough to meet basic needs, and the larger group of workers ages 20–34 saw declines.

“Earning Enough” was co-authored by Dayforce, a human capital management company, and the Living Wage Institute, a benefit corporation founded in 2023 that works based on information from more than 20 years of Living Wage Calculator research. The Living Wage Institute de-

fines a “living wage” by determining what households actually require in specific regions and provides resources and data to help employers, policymakers, and communities compare pay levels to local living costs. Dayforce describes its efforts as part of a larger push to measure the economic self-sufficiency of workers.

“The costs of housing, food, childcare, and other essentials are elevated; energy prices have spiked; and affordability continues to be a major issue for a significant share of the workforce,” said Jason Rahlan, global head of sustainability & impact for Dayforce. “For many, their earnings are simply not enough to meet the basic needs of their families. Defining a ‘living wage’ — what it costs to provide for a family and how many workers earn enough — has never been more urgent.”

Pastor Kia Brown, on a spiritual journey to help others strengthen their faith

Black

New Yorker

By TAAYOO MURRAY Special to the AmNews

Kia Brown, like many Black Americans, credits her introduction to church to her mother and grandmother, but insists that her current conviction is a personal one.

“I started studying the word more, because I really wanted to understand the word. I just didn’t want to get it from my grandma,” shared Brown. “The more I read it for myself, the more I started getting a different view of what kingdom living was, of who God really was, and who I was.”

Now Brown, 47, is stepping into a space that has long been underserved, and often misunderstood. With the debut of her new podcast, the release of her first book — both titled “Get Your Mind Right” — and the expansion of her ministry, Brown is building a platform that speaks directly to Black women navigating the complex intersection of faith and mental health.

“I realized that there’s not a lot of safe spaces for us as women of color,” explained Brown, who earned an International Business degree from Howard University, attended undergraduate and graduate seminary at Christian Bible College and Seminary in Blue Springs, Mo., and is currently completing her MDiv in Christian counseling. “So I wanted to create a safe space where we can connect deeply with each other, deeply with God, and then nurture our own spiritual goal, nurture our mental wellness, nurture authentic sisterhood, empower each other to flourish in every area of our lives.”

For years, conversations about mental health in many Black and Brown faith communities have been shaped by silence, stigma, or spiritual bypassing, the idea that prayer alone should be enough to heal.

Brown doesn’t dismiss the power of faith. Instead, she reframes it. Her work insists that faith and mental health are not in opposition, but in conversation.

Brown’s book functions less like a traditional self-help guide and more like a companion. Structured around themes such as rest, identity, grief, and resilience, the book integrates biblical reflection with journaling prompts and mental health frameworks. She doesn’t write from a distance; she situates herself within the narrative, drawing from her own experiences in ministry and personal struggle.

Brown’s previous books include, “First Light: Your New Journey With Jesus” and “Surrender: A 40-Day Journey.”

Her first podcast episode, “The Cereal Aisle Doesn’t Get to Win Anymore,” recounts her own experience defeating negative thoughts. She recommends a tool she calls a thought audit.

“We get out of control with our thoughts. Sometimes we get stuck in our heads,” explains Brown. “We’re overthinking, and we don’t even understand how we go down a rabbit hole in our own minds, and we allow our own minds to take us into places where it’s not even reality.”

She encourages her community to document every thought over a 24-hour period, then fact-check the origin and validity of each thought.

“Ask yourself, how many are factually, demonstrably, evidently true, because feelings are real, but they are not always reliable reporters of reality,” says Brown. She then encourages listeners to find a scripture that speaks against every negative thought.

The “Get Your Mind Right” podcast blends personal testimony, pastoral insight, and conversations with therapists and community leaders. It is designed to feel both intimate and expansive. Episodes move fluidly between scripture and science, and prayer and practical tools. Brown’s voice, measured, warm, and direct, anchors the listener in a sense of permission to question, to feel, to seek help without shame.

Brown sees the podcast as a natural transition from her book and other online courses, but says it’s a different product. In conjunction with her new project, “She Flourishes,” she’s creating space for faithbased conversation, rooted in practical mental health support. This medium is again curated for Black women but every woman has a seat at the table. The project includes virtual meetups with keynote mental health experts.

“In March, I had a keynote speaker, Miss Rheeda Walker. She wrote the book “The Unapologetic Black Guide to Black Mental Health,” said Brown. Brown is careful not to position herself as a replacement for licensed mental health care. Instead, she consistently emphasizes collaboration. Therapists are featured on her podcast. Resources are shared openly. The message is See BNY on page 27

‘Living Treasure’ At home with Harlem artist Michael Cummings

By MICHAEL HENRY ADAMS

to

Even when we first met, in 1988, artist Michael Cummings had already been living in the city for 18 years, transplanted from the land of his birth in California. Way back then, he was well on his way to becoming the foremost Black man in the country masterfully making quilts.

Of course, he also had a day job then: an important full-time position with the New York State Council on the Arts. He also owned two houses, one in Connecticut and another in Harlem. The latter was an exuberant Victorian Queen Anne-style rowhouse built of brick and terracotta in the 1880s, at 910 St. Nicholas Ave. It has a second-floor oriel window, roofed and sheathed in imbricated shingles. Divided with Cummings’s home and studio occupying three levels of the four-story structure, it also included an income-producing floorthrough apartment on another.

Eclectic and colorful, consisting of several collections of art and antiques acquired on travels around the world, Cummings’s decor was and is the antithesis of something I’ve come to greatly dislike as lacking imagination. I abjure the tyranny of whiteon-white spaceship so widely considered to represent “good taste” nowadays.

Early in the last century, cultural theorist Thorstein Veblen identified the upper-class penchant of conspicuous consumption. Wearing white clothes in summer, for instance, was cultivated as a sure indicator of high status — to maintain such a wardrobe required sufficient wealth to employ expert laundresses and other servants. The goal was to effortlessly remain looking immaculate despite the challenge of the clothes’ impracticality.

Accused of being habitually dirty, Blacks — who were so often responsible for making

white employees look good, even without household help — enthusiastically adapted the fashion for themselves. Continued year-round, like white rooms, it’s popular with almost everyone now.

Late in the 1920s, in diametric opposition to London’s then sulphuric atmosphere, decorator Syrie Maugham, wife of the novelist, introduced the “all-white room.” This esthetic taste did for fashionable interiors what white clothes do for those elegantly wearing white. How superior it must feel to advertise the ability to continually remedy the potential disaster inevitable when inhabiting such an artificial environment. As pretty as it can sometimes appear, could anything elicit more terror and torture than being offered a glass of Merlot or a slice of chocolate cake, in such a room when wearing starched white linen?

No such fretting occurs in Cummings’s commodious, color-saturated rooms.

As he aged, he let go of his isolated country place, which required constant attention and expense. The same for his Harlem house, which he exchanged for a two-bedroom rental in the historic former P.S. 157 building, several blocks lower on St. Nicholas Avenue. The neo-Renaissance-style building, completed in 1899, was designed by C. B. J. Snyder.

“Moving here was only supposed to be temporary,” he said of his three-year tenure. “I had to commute back and forth to help my sister take care of our mother. She died last year at 99. Now, I’m moving to Riverside Drive. There’s more room, but neither here nor there do I really enjoy the spaciousness I had with my house. Looking after my mother, my work got disrupted. It’s something I must get back.” Having observed that he thinks his two sisters’ creativity got sidetracked into marriage, See story on next page

Continued from previous page

Cummings noted, “My work is of paramount importance. I think I have even sacrificed having a romantic partnership for my art. That’s how important it’s been.”

It seems he has lived here always. Cummings has imparted his sun-filled, highceilinged abode with all the ambiance and atmosphere suggestive of environs he might have occupied for a lifetime. Such is his artistry; he will easily accomplish the same success when he moves shortly. But what then? “I’ve been unsettled as to whether or not to buy or rent. Now I’ve inherited my mother’s house in LA on the West Coast. It’s warm there and I’d have a garden again.”

Hating the thought of a friend moving so far away, I remind him about the traffic and how everything in Los Angeles is so spread out that one can drive for two hours and still be in the city. “Here, in the same time,” I say, “you’d be in Philadelphia!”

From his nervous laugh, I know he has heard me, and this is a good thing. Why? Because among everything else, this largely self-taught force of nature is a living treasure of Harlem, collected by Agnes Gund, Whoopie Goldberg, Camille Cosby, and George Wolfe; commissioned by the Clintons, and the Obamas; on display at the Schomburg Center, Studio Museum, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Brooklyn Museum, Museum of Arts and Design, California African American Museum, both the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery and National Museum of African American History & Culture, and International Quilt Museum. And we need him. Harlem has already lost enough.

Mamdani once called for his firing, now this NYPD officer faces discipline for another misconduct claim

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff

Lt. Jonathan Rivera, who NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch refused to fire for killing Washington Heights man Allan Feliz, pleaded guilty last week to an abuse of authority allegation for unlawful summons from a 2023 incident. He will likely lose 20 vacation days, but keep his job over this substantiated misconduct complaint for an offense potentially punishable by termination.

Previous calls to fire Rivera stem from him fatally shooting Feliz during a 2019 Bronx traffic stop and came from multiple elected officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani when he was a state assemblymember. Last year, the NYPD’s own administrative judge ruled in favor of terminating the officer for violating department rules following a long-delayed disciplinary trial. But Tisch, who gets sole discretion, reversed course and handed down no punishment for killing Feliz.

Retaining Rivera drew criticism for the NYPD disciplinary process, which allows a police deputy commissioner to internally preside as judge over misconduct trials and the commissioner to overrule any rulings made during the proceedings. Tisch, who made the call under Mamdani’s predecessor Eric Adams, was retained by the current administration.

Under the NYPD disciplinary matrix, improper or wrongful enforcement action involving abuse of discretion and authority (like an unlawful summons) is a fireable offense but comes with the presumptive penalty of losing 20 vacation days. Much like traditional criminal cases, Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) prosecutors can reach a plea agreement with the offending officer in lieu of a trial. Again, Tisch will make the final call on what discipline Rivera actually faces.

“The CCRB investigates each case in an independent and impartial fashion, following the evidence and the law in making its determinations,” said CCRB spokesperson Dakota Gardner in an emailed statement. “Lt. Rivera pled guilty to an abuse of authority allegation relating to an unlawful summons and will forfeit 20 vacation days as discipline — pending police commissioner approval. This is the presumptive penalty under the NYPD disciplinary matrix.”

The unlawful summons occurred years after Feliz’s death and while disciplinary proceedings against Rivera brewed. While the complainant’s identity remains unknown, filings show a Black male in his mid-late 30s made the allegation.

tinues] harmful practices [that] are going to put all New Yorkers at risk,” said Samy Feliz in a phone interview. “As a family who’s been vocal about removing this officer from the police force, we now feel like either Commissioner Tisch or Mayor Mamdani have to do what’s right and remove this police officer.”

Mamdani’s public calls for firing Rivera over the killing of Feliz date back as recently as early last year when the NYPD courts made the guilty verdict and Tisch was already appointed commissioner. In a Feb. 2025 press conference, he deemed the officer’s termination “the most basic form of justice.” A month later, Mamdani signed a letter to Tisch calling for Rivera’s firing over the NYPD trial court’s decision.

The ruling did not come easily, either. Feliz’s family fought for years to try Rivera in a disciplinary trial, which finally occurred late 2024, around when Tisch was appointed. Just one other officer — Daniel Pantaleo for the death of Eric Garner — faced a similar guilty verdict and was fired soon after.

After Feliz’s death, the NYPD promoted Rivera from sergeant to lieutenant. He was also involved in non-fatally shooting a Black teenager in 2013, allegedly firing 16 shots and landing three. The incident is not documented in Rivera’s misconduct history. Video evidence obtained years later by the New York Daily News showed the 15-year-old unarmed and surrendering.

Concerns over the NYPD deploying officers with long misconduct track records remain after cellphone footage caught two narcotics squad detectives beating a Black man named Timothy Brown and allegedly dragging him across broken glass in a Brooklyn liquor store last month over mistaken identity. The CCRB previously substantiated abuse of authority allegations against both officers, according to a claim of notice court filing.

Feliz’s younger brother, Samy, expressed frustration with the plea, as he hoped the CCRB would pursue termination in a disciplinary trial against Rivera due to his misconduct history.

“This is just an officer that [con-

Efforts to remove Rivera from the NYPD continue next week. Opening arguments for an Article 78 lawsuit filed to reverse Tisch’s decision will take place next Thursday. If successful, the courts could overrule the commissioner to fire Rivera for killing Feliz. The NYPD did not respond to a request to comment.

Sen. Comrie hosts 5th Annual Community Baby Shower

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

As New York continues to face stark racial disparities when it comes to maternal health and pregnancy-related deaths, elected officials are responding with a grassroots effort to boost maternal health outcomes, by hosting festive community baby showers to provide resources for expecting and new mothers.

“Every family deserves to begin

this journey with support, dignity, and access to the resources they need,” said State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who hosted the 5th Annual Community Baby Shower on May 3 at the Eagle Academy for Young Men of Southeast Queens.

“What we saw this [past] weekend was community in action — neighbors, organizations, and partners coming together to make sure our parents and children are not navigating these early stages alone.”

Pregnancy-associated deaths are

still about five times as likely for Black mothers as they are for whites, based on the city’s 2025 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene report. Based on recent obstetrics and gynecology research, many of these deaths occur among Black moms in the two-year post-partum period after giving birth and not necessarily in a hospital. Having a support system, access to mental health care, and sufficient parenting resources can help families avoid tragedy.

This year’s event brought together more than 200 families from across the district. They received essential baby items, including cribs, diapers, bottles, changing tables, drawers and dressers, and strollers. Mothers were also connected directly with a wide network of perinatal health, social service, and community-based organizations offering ongoing support.

According to Comrie’s office, one of the most meaningful mo-

ments connected to this year’s event came from Toni Gibson, who attended the baby shower to prepare for her child’s arrival. Gibson gave birth to her daughter, Baby Girl Eclipse, at 5 lbs 6 oz and 18.5 inches, on Sunday, April 26.

The event was made possible through partnerships with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; Assemblymembers David Weprin,

NYC Council Deputy Speaker Dr.

Looming deadline threatens new LIRR strike

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

Contract negotiations between five unions representing Long Island Railroad workers and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are underway, but if the two sides don’t reach an agreement, the New York City region faces the threat of a strike that could begin at 12:01 a.m. May 16.

With a railway that carries roughly 300,000 riders a day, the imminent deadline has the MTA planning for an all-service shutdown. Union leaders say they’re fighting to close a pay gap and win raises that keep pace with the cost of living in the region — and with recent agreements rail workers have secured elsewhere.

The coalition of unions includes the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Transportation Communications Union. Together they represent engineers, signal workers, machinists, electricians, and other essential crafts.

Both sides say they’ve aligned on retroactive raises for the first three years of a new contract: 3% for 2023, 3% for 2024, and 3.5% for 2025. The standoff has been over the last year. The unions want 5%; the MTA is offering 3% and says going higher would strain the agency’s finances and could hit riders with higher costs.

MTA officials also point to work rules they say drive up costs, including extra pay for engineers who operate different types of trains in a single day. Without changes, the agency argues, it can’t responsibly raise its wage offer. Union leaders counter that trading away protections without a stronger final-year raise would leave workers falling behind in one of the country’s most expensive regions. The unions have not seen a raise since their last contract expired in April 2022.

For the MTA, a strike means the Long Island Railroad could shut down entirely. Last year, after months of stalled talks and a strike authorization vote, the five-union coalition asked the White House to intervene under the Railway Labor Act, which allows unions to request that the president appoint a Presidential Emergency Board. The board holds hearings, reviews the dispute, and issues recommendations. Its recommendations aren’t binding — but it’s part of a process that includes a legal pause. While the board is working and during a required cooling-off period afterward, workers can’t strike, and management can’t lock them out. Trains keep running as the fight moves into a federally supervised lane. When the board issued its recommendations, it called for some 14% in raises over

ed their case for better pay. The MTA said it would not accept those recommendations. Unless negotiators settle the final-year wage number and any remaining work-rule issues, the coalition says its members are ready to walk. The MTA says it will have no choice but to halt its railroad services. Talks are expected to continue up to the May 16 deadline.

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Republicans, Democrats: Both inept and at a crossroads

Why electric bills are forcing poor in NYC to subsidize rich

At a time when the Republican Party is unbreakably linked with Trump, whose approval rating keeps plummeting, the Democrats and their National Committee seem inept and incapable of intensifying this advantage.

In fact, if you assess the current disputes in the party from Maine to California, they are as splintered and divided as their adversaries.

When a comedian like Jon Stewart charges that the DNC and party leaders were “lost” in his comment about the Maine senate campaign, you know there is turmoil in the ranks. This situation is further troubled by the denunciations from Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and his lament that the party is turning into “an orgy of socialism.”

If the fissures in the party are a concern for Ken Martin, chair of the DNC, he’s probably too busy pulling things together for the upcoming convention, with a meeting with other leaders in Philadelphia, a possible site, and host of the event. Martin has been under fire from his members for several months. They have launched sustained criticism of his failure to fulfill the promises he made on assuming leadership, as well as for only recently moving to release the autopsy of the 2024 race.

According to one report, some members have privately begun discussions on removing Martin from office. One of the problems they face with such a tactic, however, is that there appears to be no serious candidate to replace him.

As we approach the midterm elections, both parties are in a quandary, and the outcome may depend on which of them has the fewest shortcomings. That is not a good sign for rescuing our democracy from a tyrant, especially as the fragile ceasefire with Iran is about to receive another tumultuous moment at the Strait of Hormuz.

By ED TOWNS

I support both the governor and mayor’s efforts to reduce costs for residents of New York City. However, I recently learned that every New Yorker who doesn’t own property is being forced to cover a share of real estate taxes for residents who do own property. This is an unintended consequence of policy intended to help ease property taxes, but it’s creating a wealth transfer, from poor to rich, and it’s happening on people’s electric bills. Now, we’re all paying more for power because of a tax system in much need of reform.

property taxes onto every New Yorker’s electric bill, and hope no one notices.

However, people are noticing, because electric bills keep going up and recipients are demanding to know why it’s happening. Of course, some of the reason that power bills are going up is because energy costs are increasing thanks to the president’s war in Iran, and it costs the utilities more to build new infrastructure because of inflation. Those costs are borne by the customers.

dani is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to raise taxes on the wealthy to fill that budget gap. I understand that she has promised New Yorkers that she won’t increase income taxes, which is complicating matters.

According to a new report, New York has created a process where if single-family homes in the city increase in value over 5%, the real estate taxes that would be collected over that 5% are shifted onto everyone’s electric bill. Lawmakers in Albany and the city have known about this problem for decades now, but they have not been able to muster the political will to fix the issue. It’s not hard to understand why, either: It’s because fixing this problem would mean that the government would have to either cut the real estate taxes owed by property owners and lose out on that revenue or force those property owners to pay higher real estate taxes. Obviously, politically speaking, it’s easier to do neither, stick those

However, in New York City, almost 30% of an electric bill is fees and property taxes that ConEd is collecting on behalf of the government. A good portion of everyone’s power bill is to cover the real estate taxes for homeowners in New York.

ConEd collects so many tax dollars on behalf of the government — over a quarter of the company’s operating expenses are just those property taxes. Keep in mind that the national average for utilities is about 7%, meaning that, on a proportional basis, our utility collects about four times as much in property taxes as most utilities across the nation. It’s no wonder that New Yorkers are frustrated that their electric bills are so high.

Undeniably, tax collections are going to be a hot topic in our community as New York City continues to face budget shortages. Mayor Zoran Mam-

But our new mayor was elected because residents of the city are demanding that our lawmakers make New York City more affordable. Just about everyone in New York pays an electric bill. So, if the mayor and the governor, working together, could address this situation and make property owners pay more of their fair share of real estate taxes, then it could help lower everyone’s electric bill. I would be more than happy to assist with helping to get the Mayor and the Governor together on this issue.

As the nation copes with the President’s actions that are making our lives more expensive — specifically his foolish tariffs and the even more foolish war in Iran — I urge our leaders in City Hall and Albany to consider lowering electric bills by collecting real estate taxes from the New Yorkers who owe them. That would be smart public policy and could set an example for Washington about what good government looks like.

Former Congressman Ed Towns represented Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983-2013.

After SCOTUS Voting Rights ruling, Jim Crow is back on the roost — but maybe he never left

By HERB BOYD

A few political commentators have suggested that the era of Jim Crow, that long, dark historical period when the rights of Black Americans were all but abrogated, has returned with a vengeance. Others contend that it never really left. Let’s split the difference and call the current phase of democratic denial Clarence Crow, with no apologies to a certain noted jurist. It is absolutely disheartening that a recent Supreme Court of the U.S.

(SCOTUS) vote has essentially demolished the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and that six justices can render a decision stripping millions of Americans of their constitutional rights, one of them being African American.

I know some of my fellow citizens will take umbrage at this conclusion, but we are faced with little recourse because to expect Congress to challenge the SCOTUS decision is out of the question, with the Senate firmly under the leadership of Chair John

Thune; Chuck Grassley, chair of the Judiciary Committee; and Mike Johnson at the helm of the House as Speaker.

While they can legally take a stand against such devastating setbacks, they have neither the gumption nor the political will to do it. It’s hard to conceive of a time when we will have a representative government in which there is equality and true majority rule. Whatever Crow you choose to call it, Black Americans are in for a rough judicial ride in the

foreseeable future, no matter where they reside and cast their ballots. As far as I can see, it is for the court to allow political gerrymandering, but dismissing maps that use race to provide representation blurs the line between intentionality.

Once again, African American voters are caught in the throes of jurisprudence semantics, and the end result will witness the disappearance of a raft of Black representatives.

Ok, Mr. Crow, you’re back on the roost.

Hochul’s nicotine tax proposal is not just about revenue, it’s about saving

By CAMILO PARRA, MS and SEIYA SACHDEVA

In her 2026 State of the State address, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a direct challenge to the tobacco industry’s latest play for New York’s youth. Her proposal includes increasing the wholesale tax on alternative nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, to 75%, and a distributor charge of $0.55 per e-cigarette, aligning state policy with public health realities. These measures close a loophole the tobacco industry exploits to keep addictive alternatives to cigarettes affordable for New York’s most pricesensitive demographic: young people.

Studies show that taxing unhealthy products is the most effective way to reduce their consumption, and has been successful at limiting the use of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages. In 2002, the cigarette tax in New York was $1.50. Today, the combined city and state tax is $6.85, resulting in the highest average price per pack in the country at $14.55. Over the past two decades, cigarette use has declined from 22.3% to 9.3%.

However, while public health advocates were win-

Why this hotel in the middle of Harlem could be a win for the community

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

ning the war against cigarettes, the tobacco industry was pivoting. It swapped smoke for pouches and vapes, creating a new generation of nicotine-dependent New Yorkers under the guise of innovative, harm-reduction, or harmless products.

Products such as ZYN and other nicotine pouches are not classified as tobacco products because they don’t contain tobacco leaf. This technicality has allowed the tobacco industry to bypass the excise tax on cigarettes and chewing tobacco. As a result, these products are sold at a much lower price point, appealing to their target demographic: middle and high schoolers.

Tobacco use among youth has declined dramatically, but easy access to these new nicotine products is reversing our progress in weaning young people off nicotine.

E-cigarettes are the most popular nicotine product among youth, although nicotine pouches are quickly gaining traction among this demographic: Among 10thand 12th-graders, nicotine pouch use doubled between 2023 and 2024.

This matters because while we have been inundated with the dangers of smoking, nicotine is a drug

young people

with its own hazardous effects, particularly on young brains. Nicotine use during adolescence disrupts attention and learning, increases susceptibility to addiction, and intensifies symptoms of anxiety and depression. Nicotine is not a “safer alternative”; it is a neurodisruptor that can have long-term effects on the developing brain.

There are two camps in this fight. The first views newer products as a harmreduction tool for current smokers; the second warns of a deliberate industry strategy to attract youth, with the result being a new generation addicted to nicotine.

Hochul’s approach to creating similar price points for nicotine products is clearly focused on youth. It’s challenging for a single policy to address both sides of the problem — helping smokers quit and preventing youth from starting to use nicotine products — but pushing adults to these new products is not necessarily the answer. Rather, it is ensuring that FDA-approved medications for quitting smoking, such as nicotine gum/lozenges and Chantix, are covered by insurance or available at prices lower than cigarettes. This is

the way forward to address persistent use of one of the most dangerous products on the market.

New York has led the nation in tobacco control before. States like Washington and Oregon have already recognized that smokeless nicotine products must be taxed to fund public health. Hochul’s proposal isn’t just about revenue; it’s about making it as difficult as possible for a child to start a lifelong addiction.

The tobacco industry is agile, constantly rebranding addiction to stay one step ahead of the law and gain customers for life. By codifying these taxes in the upcoming FY27 budget agreement, the state legislature would move beyond rhetoric and implement a policy that would take effect this September. With these taxes on alternative tobacco products, New York sends a clear message: Our children’s health is not for sale, and there is no loophole large enough to hide the harm of nicotine.

Camilo Parra is a project manager with New York City Treats Tobacco (NYCTT). Seiya Sachdeva is a senior at New York University studying public health.

Every now and again, I turn my column over to a colleague who has a story of great interest. This week, Lorielle Georgetown, an Atlanta native; a second-year MPA student at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs; and a Barnard College graduate, joins the Amsterdam News community to discuss a new hotel in Harlem. I had not heard of this new hotel and am looking forward to discussing it further in the years to come.

Have you heard about Harlem’s newest hotel? Earlier this year, while searching for places to stay during Columbia’s graduation, I found the George Manhattan, a Hilton boutique hotel on 126th Street near Convent Ave., that opened in October 2025.

I was immediately interested. A new hotel brings a practical convenience: another place for family to stay without leaving Harlem. Yet, this 139-room hotel in Manhattanville enters a community already navigating gentrification, rising rents, and a history of development arriving faster than community benefits.

Now that the hotel is open, the question is simple: Will it be a good neighbor? So far, the answer is beginning to look like yes.

Historically, hotels in Harlem were woven into neighborhood life. For example, in the early- to mid1900s, the Hotel Olga was listed in the “Negro Motorist Green Book,” offering lodging for Black travelers during segregation. Similarly, the Hotel Theresa — often called the “Waldorf of Harlem” — became a center of cultural activity, hosting prominent figures and public gatherings.

Whether the George lives up to this legacy will depend on how it engages with the surrounding community.

Last year, Victor Edwards, chair of Community Board 9, told the Columbia Spectator that he was not invited to the hotel’s official ribbon-cutting. Since then, however, the hotel has signaled an interest in doing things differently. For example, during Black History Month, the George hosted a New York Fashion Week panel featuring local voices, including Princess Jenkins of the Brownstone, and unveiled an art residency by Harlembased artist J. Monroe.

To build on this momentum, the George should deepen its neighborhood ties in practical ways. First, a “Harlem First” guide — digital and printed — could direct guests to local businesses, cultural institutions, and historic landmarks, supporting neighborhood commerce while giving visitors a fuller sense of Harlem. Second, setting aside community hours in its café or lounge could provide local students, freelancers, and entrepreneurs a place to work and meet, helping the hotel feel like a neighborhood resource. Third, offering meeting rooms at reduced rates to Harlem-based organizations would show genuine partnership while ensuring residents share in the benefits of new development.

The George has the opportunity to prove that a global brand can have a local soul. The doors are open. Now the real test is whether they open outward to the Harlem community.”

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.

Caribbean Update Antiguan government gets a fourth term

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

The growing habit among voters in the Caribbean Community, to give big electoral mandates to incumbent governments, continued in the past week with voters in Antigua handing the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) a resounding victory in snap general elections that were called two years before they were constitutionally due.

The victory means that Prime Minister Gaston Browne will run the federation, with sister isle Barbuda, for a fourth consecutive term, as his party decimated the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP).

Browne had, for several months, been signaling his intentions of calling general elections. Yet still the UPP appeared to have been caught unprepared as internal leadership rows and questions over suitability of district candidates dimmed the party’s chances of unseating the ABLP.

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 26, 2025, at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/ Pamela Smith, File)

Browne’s Labour Party, ABLP, went into the April 30 contest with 10 of the 17 seats and by the time the electoral commission had tallied up most of the votes, it became quite clear that the UPP had been decimated once again with Labour increasing its

tally to 15. The remaining single seat in mainland Antigua went to UPP leader Jamale Pringle, while Trevor Walker of the Barbuda People’s Movement retained his seat.

The victory means that the prime minister and the ABLP are

about to commence a fourth consecutive term, having won previous elections in 2014, 2018, 2023, and now in 2026.

The federation’s elections were the second one in the 15-nation CARICOM bloc so far this year,

following another snap election that resulted in the governing Barbados Labour Party winning all 30 parliamentary seats for the third consecutive time. These polls were held in early February. Next up is the Bahamas, where the Progressive Labour Party of Prime Minister Philip Davis is fighting to win a second consecutive term in the contest fixed for May 12.

The Antigua victory seems to be following a pattern across the grouping where voters appear to be tired of weak and poorly funded opposition parties that cannot offer themselves as alternative governments, so voters appear to either stick with incumbents or simply increase their mandates and allow the stronger ones to run the country.

Last December in St. Lucia, for example, the Labour Party won all but one of the 17 seats, while in neighboring St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a similar tale resulted from elections at the end of See ANTIGUA continued on next page

Undocumented immigrants paid trillions in taxes and America still calls them a burden

FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER

At a time when undocumented immigrants are being targeted, detained, and deported across the United States, one fact is rarely part of the conversation: they have paid an estimated $3 trillion in taxes over the last 30 years. Let that sink in. Three trillion dollars — contributed by people who, in many cases, are denied the very benefits those taxes help fund, according to the Cato Institute.

This is not speculation. It is based on data showing that undocumented immigrants, despite lacking legal status, are deeply embedded in the U.S. tax system. Many work under borrowed identification or tax ID numbers passed off as Social Security numbers, allowing em-

ployers to withhold payroll taxes. Others pay sales taxes, property taxes through rent, and a range of indirect taxes that support federal, state, and local governments.

Researchers from Cato estimate that undocumented immigrants comply with income taxes at roughly 75% of the rate of the average taxpayer — often contributing without claiming refunds or accessing public benefits. In other words, they are paying into a system that largely excludes them. And yet, the narrative persists.

Undocumented immigrants are frequently portrayed as a drain, as people who take more than they give. But the numbers tell a very different story. They are not outside the system; they are funding it. When you widen the lens beyond undocumented immigrants, the pattern becomes even clearer.

According to the same Cato In-

stitute study, immigrants overall have contributed more in taxes per person than U.S.-born Americans over the past three decades.

From 1994 to 2023, immigrants generated roughly $100,000 more in taxes per capita — about 17% more than the average U.S.-born individual.

In 2023 alone, immigrants paid $1.3 trillion in taxes while receiving approximately $761 billion in benefits, resulting in a net fiscal surplus of more than half a trillion dollars.

That is not a burden; that is a net gain. The reason is straightforward: immigrants are more likely to be working. Even when they earn lower hourly wages, they tend to work more hours overall. That translates into higher total earnings per capita — and higher tax contributions. Their presence in the workforce is not marginal. It is essential, and the impact does not stop there.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, immigration also increases the productivity of U.S.-born workers, boosting incomes and generating additional tax revenue. In fact, roughly onethird of the fiscal benefit from recent immigrants comes from these indirect effects.

Yet, even as these contributions continue, the policy direction is moving in the opposite direction.

Restrictions on immigration and increased enforcement are projected to add hundreds of billions to federal deficits over the next decade — largely because fewer workers means less tax revenue.

That raises a simple but uncomfortable question: if undocumented immigrants are paying into the system — if immigrants overall are generating more revenue than they consume — why does the narrative remain so disconnected from reality? Why are those helping sustain

the system still being framed as a burden? Because this is not just about economics. It is about perception; it is about who is seen as contributing — and who is not.

For decades, undocumented immigrants have lived in that contradiction. Working, paying, contributing — all while being told they do not belong.

The data makes one thing clear: they were never outside the system.

The question now is whether America is willing to acknowledge the role they have been playing all along — or continue to ignore the reality it has benefited from for decades.

Felicia J. Persaud is the founder and publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, the only daily syndicated newswire and digital platform dedicated exclusively to Caribbean Diaspora and Black immigrant news across the Americas.

International News

Ghana becomes the latest African country to reject a U.S. health deal, citing data-sharing concerns

By EDWARD ACQUAH Associated Press

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Ghana has rejected a proposed health deal with the United States over concerns about data privacy and is now seeking a new agreement, an official said Friday. It was the latest African country to walk away from the deal over similar concerns.

The deal included provisions that would have allowed U.S. entities access to Ghana’s sensitive health data without necessary safeguards, according to Arnold Kavaarpuo, executive director of Ghana’s Data Protection Commission.

The scope of the data access that was requested under the deal “went far beyond what would typically be required,” Kavaarpuo told The Associated Press.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said the department does not disclose details of bilateral negotiations. “We continue to look for ways to strengthen the bilateral partnership between our two countries,” the spokesperson added, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. Under the Trump administration’s “America First” approach to global health funding, the U.S. has struck such health deals with more than 30 countries, most of them in Africa. The new approach that kicked off late last year replaces previous health agreements under the now-dismantled United States Agency for International Development.

The deals offer hundreds of mil-

Continued from page 14

November last year when the New Democratic Party also carried away all but one of the 17 seats.

In Trinidad, the United National Congress picked up 26 of the 41 seats in the late April 2025 elections, while in Suriname a multiparty coalition is governing with 34 of the 51 seats, also from elections held last year.

lions of dollars in U.S. funding to some of the African countries worst hit by the U.S. aid cuts to support their public health systems and help fight disease outbreaks.

The agreements, however, have raised questions about data privacy concerns. In February, au-

“We are humbled and honored by your support and confidence. Now is the time to move forward together, build on our gains, and continue our work on this long journey toward the betterment of our society and the upliftment of our people. From each and every one of us, thank you,”

Browne told jubilant supporters. “We are here to serve all the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Education, jobs, business oppor-

thorities in Zimbabwe said they rejected the proposed deal over issues around health data, fairness, and sovereignty. Zambia is also reported to have pushed back on a section of its deal, although no decision has been made there.

Activists in Africa say the agreements often lack adequate safe-

tunities will be open to all who are prepared to seize them and I say to my distinguished countrymen and countrywomen when we create these opportunities to you, please seize them.”

Browne said his administration is determined to cater for the needs of all citizens as no one will be left behind who is willing to move forward. “And notwithstanding your political persuasion, this is not a time for laggards.

guards for the use of the data and are sometimes limiting in who is being helped — such as in Nigeria, where the U.S. committed to supporting mainly Christian faith-based healthcare providers.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director General Jean Kaseya had also

This is a time for all of us to perform, to increase our productivity and to make sure that Antigua and Barbuda becomes one of the most productive small island states globally.”

As the year moves on, political watchers are turning attention to Dominica, another Eastern Caribbean nation where the electoral commission is cranking up to get its act together Prime Minister Roosevelt Sker-

cited “huge concerns” regarding data sharing in comments to reporters about the deals.

Ghana says no prior approval for data use

Under the proposed agreement worth around $300 million, Kavaarpuo said Ghana would have received about $109 million in U.S. funding over five years, with supplemental investments coming from the Ghanaian government.

Kavaarpuo, whose agency was directly involved in the talks, cited one caveat where individuals could be identified as deemed necessary for sensitive health data.

“That, in effect, was outsourcing the health data architecture of the country to a foreign body,” he said. “The proposed data sharing agreement looked at access not only to health data sets, but also to metadata, dashboards, reporting tools, data models, and data dictionaries.”

The proposals would have also allowed up to 10 U.S. entities access to such data with no prior approval needed from Ghana for whatever the data is needed for, he said.

“We did not get a sense that Ghana had any real governance oversight when it came to how the data was going to be utilized. It was more or less if they undertook an exercise, they will notify the country. So it was not a prior approval arrangement,” he said.

Kavaarpuo added that Ghana has communicated its decision to reject the proposal to the U.S. and sought improved conditions for a better deal.

rit has been in power for the past 22 years and even though he has signaled plans to retire, his political opponents seem to be poorly funded and lacking a solid public presence

Grenada is the other regional member state whose electoral system is also cranking up, though elections are not due until next year.

There were 12 general elections in the 15-nation bloc last year alone.

janelle jun 17 monáe

70s Soul Jam Fri, May 15 @ 8PM

This all-star lineup featuring The Stylistics, The Chi-Lites,

russell peters

Relax World Tour  Fri, May 29 @ 8PM

majah hype

Sat, May 30 @ 6 & 8:45PM

Stand-up comic Russell Peters returns to NJPAC for another night of big laughs and hilarious crowd banter.

an evening with october london & eric benét earthquake’s father’s day comedy show

Sun, Jun 21 @ 7PM

Celebrate Father’s Day with comedy legend Earthquake and special guests Bishop, Dee Lai, Junior, TK Kirkland and Donnell Rawlings.

Majah Hype (the “Caribbean King of Comedy”) returns to NJPAC with his original characters and relatable impressions.

Fri, Jul 31 @ 8PM

The pioneering jazz legend returns to NJPAC! It’s a night of fun and funky jazz with the 14-time GRAMMY® winner and his band. herbie hancock

Arts & Entertainment

Webby-nominated series ‘Darkroom MCs’ puts welldeserved focus on Black and Brown photographers

By NADINE MATTHEWS Special to the AmNews

For many, the pandemic afforded time and space to think critically and creatively about what they wanted their lives to look and feel like. Some picked up new hobbies or professional pursuits. Others removed unnecessary people and things. Photographers and friends since 2009, Russell Frederick and Anderson Zaca decided to take action on something that had been frustrating them both for many years — the lack of recognition and the scarcity of opportunities for Black photographers in mainstream media. The duo’s clever slogan, “We turn negatives into positives,” encapsulates what their series, “Darkroom MCs,” sets out to do.

The Webby-nominated, five-part documentary series, which premiered on ALL ARTS in 2025, uses a freewheeling yet intimate style. Explained Zaca, “I don’t like talking-head style documentaries. When you watch the series, you see non-stop action. We wanted to bring something different. That freedom was magical and you can see it on the screen.” Frederick elaborates, saying, “We wanted to have it like something soulful, fun, hip hop, and we wanted it to be high energy.”

One example of the challenging terrain they travel as Black photographers was a New York Times feature on block parties. Frederick emphasized, “They never reached out to Zaca, who had spent a decade studying and photographing block parties and

had written a book on the subject.”

An even bigger impetus was the realization that the problem spanned generations.

“In talking to our [photographer] elders, our mentors,” Frederick stated, “They were speaking about the same frustrations that they experienced 50 years ago.”

With “Darkroom MCs,” co-produced by Zaca, Frederick, PBS, and ALL ARTS, Zaca and Frederick also attempt to preserve what they fear is becoming a dying art form. Frederick explained, “We wanted to see how we could preserve it and really highlight the work of people who were underrepresented, and to really let the world hear the stories behind their pictures, from their voices unfiltered.”

The first season highlighted the work of Beuford Smith, Joseph Hernandez, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Ozier Muhammad, and Frederick himself, who chronicled the joys and challenges of his practicing photography while experiencing glaucoma.

The two were careful to point out that they made a concerted effort to include more women in season one, but scheduling constraints prevented it. They plan to remedy that in a women-only season two.

Both Frederick and Zaca have practiced photography for roughly 30 years with Frederick describing himself as “self-taught.”

Zaca, who states he “fell in love with photography in the darkroom,” earned both film and photography degrees at Brooklyn College. He describes his work as “a celebration,” with an overarching motivation to bring joy to Black and Brown people

through his work, even as he captures their joy on film for others to witness.

The need to show the fullness of Black and Brown representation often missing from mainstream representations was the catalyst for Zaca’s work. He explains, “My first book was called “Block Party: NYC Soul of Summer,” [in] which I documented for 10 years over 300 block parties in the five boroughs. I wanted to document that and bring a positive image.”

Much of Frederick’s work depicts political figures as well as ordinary Black people in everyday moments and moments of extraordinary emotion. He describes his work as, “Visual activism and redefining the image of Black, Brown, and marginalized people through documentary, environmental portraits, as well as journalistic images. I also do a little fashion too.”

Multiple figures inspired Frederick, including series subject Joseph Hernandez and the photographers of the historic Kamoinge Workshop. It was Hernandez who introduced him to the legend Roy DeCarava’s seminal 1955 book, “The Sweet Flypaper of Life.” He recalls, “It completely changed my world. It’s pretty much the Black photographers’ Bible. Langston Hughes wrote the text. It was the first photography book to show Black people in a dignified manner.”

The two also wanted to emphasize that actively collecting photography such as theirs is a vital way to preserve history and to see it as an asset that can be a source of increased wealth over time. Said Frederick,

“The way you can support us is by purchasing a piece of our collection. It’s also super important for our community to learn that art is another tangible asset that does not depreciate in value.”

“Darkroom MCs” not only takes photographers of color from the margin to the center, but demystifies the process of producing images. Each episode brings the viewer into the darkroom. Zaca stated, “The darkroom, as I always say, is our church. It’s a place where photographers who have been in the darkroom have a very important experience. Aside from taking photographs, we meditate. We wanted that safe space to be part of our series. So most of the episodes take place partially in a darkroom.”

They are currently trying to secure funding for season two and hope audiences will be able to see it in the summer or fall of 2027. Frederick states, “[The] Trump administration targeted PBS to defund them and that has impacted their production and operation budgets. So with that we’re looking to find a new platform.”

The two also believe photography can play a critical role in combatting some of the erasure of history that appears to be proceeding. “It is critical,” emphasized Frederick, “especially at this time, and this is why our voice, our perspectives, and these photographs that we have, these archives we created, are so important.”

For more info, visit pbs.org/show/thedarkroom-mcs and allarts.org/programs/ the-darkroom-mcs.

The rise of The People’s Ball in Brooklyn

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

At Brooklyn’s iconic Central Library, The People’s Ball gave a center stage to real haute couture and creativity. This year’s theme was to highlight the enduring legacy of American fashion in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The shy scooted along to shouts of encouragement, while the brave sashayed to thunderous applause. Music and the arts lit up the night. Against the backdrop of a growing cost-of-living crisis and a tense political environment, the evening revealed a deeper, underlying message:

the importance of an economy and democracy that prioritizes the needs of everyday working people in the fashion industry and beyond.

“The People’s Ball embodies the mission of [Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)] to champion free expression and to provide access to books, technology, art, and culture to people from all walks of life,” said a BPL spokesperson.

The annual fashion show is held on the eve of the city’s elite Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala, and celebrates personal style and inclusivity. Unlike the Met Gala, anyone can walk the runway at The People’s Ball.

“A night to celebrate each other and your gorgeous and most au -

thentic selves,” said co-host Bevy Smith. There’s also a distinct lack of tech billionaires here, joked cohost Ariel Polanco.

There is a focus on allowing local Black and Brown designers, city residents, fashion enthusiasts, budding business owners, young and elder models at any age, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities their moment to shine.

“My brand, to me, is faith plus fashion. I just want everybody to walk in their own skin, be who they want to be,” said Slim, the creator of Islamifly street wear. A designer by nature, he said he’s usually behind the scenes, but

decided to model his own designs this year.

The BPL started this festive free event in 2018, with support from the state’s Council on the Arts, the Governor’s office, and the New York State Legislature. It was co-curated by Souleo, who has collaborated with noteworthy institutions and brands such as the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, BPL Center for Brooklyn History, Museum of Arts and Design, Columbia University, Newark Museum of Art, Nordstrom, and AARP.

“Whether it was their intention or not, they were practicing racism,” said pioneering model and activist Bethann Hardison,

one of this year’s People’s Ball honorees, about the fashion industry in her youth. She founded Bethann Management and transformed global fashion by championing diversity and inclusion through the Black Girls Coalition in 1988 and the Diversity Coalition in 2013.

Along with Hardison, this year’s honorees include award-winning creative director, costume designer, and entrepreneur June Ambrose; and Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo), an internationally celebrated Native American fashion and textile designer known for blending Indigenous artistry with contemporary couture.

For more info, visit bklynlibrary.org/the-peoples-ball.

Covering the 2026 Met Gala: No wind, no rain, no wet feet!

By MICHAEL HENRY ADAMS Special to the AmNews

Surpassing last year’s record-breaking Met Gala of $31 million and occurring without last year’s inclement weather, this year’s benefit raised even more: The event raised $42 million in contributions to sustain the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

Romantically, the first Monday in May’s “red carpet” was contrived as a moss-grown flagstone path below a white wisteria-festooned bower. Fortuitously, I was positioned, ready with my phone, in the first press pen, adjacent to where guests gathered on arrival. Here they waited, arranging themselves in preparation to mount that steep staircase to an earthy paradise disguised as a party. Ascending this flight announces to all the world that one has arrived as nothing else!

Since the Met Gala’s launch in 1948, times have changed. Tickets for the dinner then were $50, versus $100,000 today. To put this figure in perspective, many Black college professors in that period earned around $50 weekly. “Back in the day, inviting the condemnation of almost all you knew in the process, you could have blown a week’s pay to attend such a party,” said designer and fashion authority Michael McCollom, “but as for now? No one I know earns $100,000 a week, and you could not have attended the Met Gala for any amount if you were Black back then. In those days, virtu-

ally every guest was a member of the Social Register, so until the 1970s, none were African Americans.”

Certainly, the political arena is not the only place white supremacists have sought to keep people of color away from. Once, in terms of its collection, trustees, staff, and exhibitions, the Met was one such place. “That’s the ultimate change,” McCollom said. “Inferior, unworthy? Diversity, equity, and inclusion have enhanced every aspect of American life, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, both collections and Gala. Few aspire to the world the way it used to be. Irrespective of race, far more people today who desire to be cool emulate Misty Copeland, Beyoncé, and Jeremy Pope than any Vanderbilt, Livingston, or Astor … because he’s a modern man, even Anderson Cooper is ashamed to be a Vanderbilt. America has evolved and improved. Efforts to the contrary, we won’t be put back!”

Included in significant ways at the Met, at last, some wondered if Black superstars and creatives, taking their lead from Mayor Mamdani, would eschew the Met Gala due to its sponsorship by Jeff Bezos and his second wife, Lauren Wendy Sánchez Bezos. Once seen as a bulwark against President Trump and his policies, Bezos’s capitulations and pandering to his former adversary have been received with as much distaste as his wife’s former status as “the other woman.”

“I want to focus on affordability and making the most expensive city in the

United States affordable.” I’d read that Mamdani had given this as an excuse for boycotting the world’s foremost fashion event.

I spotted Anna Wintour when she came in. As the Gala dress code decreed, “Fashion is Art,” inviting expression of one’s relationship to fashion as an embodied art form, the Gala tsar was bedecked as an artistic bluebird. I wanted to hear what she thought about the mayor’s pronouncement.

“Surely you are also concerned about New York’s affordability, Ms. Wintour,” I queried. “Of course,” she answered. “And the Met Gala, besides providing resources for the Costume Institute, helps to make it possible for the museum to remain free, doesn’t it? Yes,” she added, “And it supports fashion and all the people fashion employs in New York, too.”

To a person, everyone I spoke with agreed. Councilmember and former Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Rev. Al Sharpton, City Comptroller Mark Levine, and several others each said that if the richest New Yorkers have had an enormous federal tax cut, it’s absolutely fair to tax them more locally.

Most, however, talked about how well or not the dress code was followed. It was recalled how singer Rihanna caused gasps of delight by wearing a 16-foot-long embroidered, fur-trimmed yellow cape at the 2015 Met Gala, paying tribute to the “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibition. Billy Porter, carried by six shirtless sex slaves, wearing a gold winged catsuit, was

another appearance fondly remembered. I soon found out just what a big deal fidelity to the Met Gala theme was when I consulted social media. Not unexpectedly, Mrs. Bezos garnered considerable criticism just for existing.

One irate observer commented, “That woman needs to get a life. Nobody is interested in a mariachi gown.” Sounds racist, I thought. A second wrote, “Stupid. Women wanting to be something special. You can’t get ‘it’ from a dress. Embarrassing.” How elitist is this? Yet a third remarked, “She could’ve at least attempted to be on theme.”

“You’re Madame X,” I exclaimed, noticing the fallen strap of her gown, derived from John Singer Sargent’s first version of his famous portrait of Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau. It’s been owned by the Met since 1916. Smiling like a schoolgirl whose mom had made her dress instead of Schiaparelli, Mrs. Bezos said, “Yes!”

Snobbery can go both ways. Building museums and hospitals, from time immemorial, is what the newly well-to-do have done to improve their image. Think of the Homestead Strike, of pollution and lung cancer. Would we really give back all the good done by the Frick Collection, the James B. Duke Charitable Trust, or the Rockefeller Foundation? Do we really only want “old money,” rich from a time before anyone Black was, to fund the Met Gala? If so, since they have such small fortunes mostly, we’re as out of luck as they are. Gale Brewer was right: “Without the wealthy, we can’t ‘tax the rich.’”

AmNews FOOD

Talking SCHOP! Joyful Consumption

As the great Nate Dogg once said, “Y’all can’t deny it, I’ma f**kin rider.” I ride hard for Asian foods. While I mostly lean into East Asian (Chinese, Korean, Japanese), Southeast Asian (Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino), and South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi), there are myriad other cuisines over Central Asia (Uzbekistan) and the Himalayan region (Tibet) to explore. It is the simple yet complex use of ubiquitous whole food ingredients to create foundational dishes and modern interpretations rooted in their culinary history that speaks to me. (Yes and…this idea can most likely be applied to your favorite cuisines too.)

Recently, two of my longtime (35+ years) friends — Jackie and Regina — and I were due for a hang and I was tasked to pick a restaurant. I heard great things about a new Thai restaurant opened by the owners of SOOTHR, the five-time Michelin Bib Gourmand designee and 2021 Best New Restaurant in the World. Our dinner would be at Sappesian (240 West 14th St.).

Though I did not make a reservation, our relatively early planned dinner time of 6:30 p.m. got us in quickly with a caveat of us completing our meal in 90 minutes. As someone who has worked in busy

restaurants, I appreciate the hustle and transparency to meet demand and to service the bottom line.

Sappe (pronounced “sep”) means to joyfully consume and to participate in all parts of the experience — what you see, hear, smell, feel, and, of course, eat.

The railroad-style, wood-paneled space with mirrored ceiling feels cinematic, pulling you down a hallway that appears to be moving farther away to the final destination of the pink scrim-covered window of the bustling kitchen.

We were told to use a QR code on the table to peruse the menu.

(HOT TIP: Do this before you arrive and thank me later.)

Scrolling an exhaustive, yet gor-

geous, menu on your phone while trying to take note of what you are considering with others in a very loud environment is not my calling. However, we got there and got there WELL!

We ordered from all parts of the menu. From Sappe Green (plant-forward): hed tod ($15), fried enoki mushroom with tamarind sauce and kana fan dang ($21), and stir-fried Chinese broccoli with king oyster mushrooms in garlic-soy glaze. From Tum/ Yum, we had mango salad ($19) with shallots, chilies, and mint tossed in a Thai dressing and tum pu pla ($16), an authentic papaya salad with marinated raw crab. Standouts were kana fan dang

and mango salad plus our entree, mama e-la ($25), signature wokfried egg noodles with beef, Chinese broccoli, egg, and sweet soy pepper glaze. And shout out to Singha Thai beer, ON TAP!

We could not leave without having one of their desserts. While I could have eaten every last one of them, we opted for guava-pineapple sorbet ($15) with a thinly candied and toasted pineapple skewer, finished with chili sea salt.

There is so much, too much, for which to return to Sappesian. Next time, I will get my sappe on with wing zaab, krapow sam moo, chicken ki-mao, and that mango sundae!

Thank you Jackie and Regina for always a fun time. Sappesian,

keep making it do what it do. Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Happy Mother’s Day to all! Thanks for reading and happy eating!

Kysha Harris is a chef, food writer and editor, culinary producer, consultant, and owner of SCHOP!, a personalized food service in NYC for over 23 years. Follow her on Instagram, @SCHOPnyc and on Facebook, @SCHOPnyc.

Questions, comments, requests, feedback, invitations! Email us at AmNewsFOOD@SCHOPnyc.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @NYAmNewsFOOD.

Drinks and Dialogue: Chilling with Harlem Pride

By MICHAEL HENRY ADAMS Special to the AmNews

“He’s an insightful researcher,” said Harlem architect John T. Reddick the other night about Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. An officer of uptown’s Black SGL/ LGBTQ+ advocacy group, Harlem Pride, Reddick was helping to host a cocktail party billed as a “Sipin,” meant to commemorate the Sit-in demonstrations of Black activists protesting discrimination across the country 60 years and more ago.

A typical example was reported September 8, 1934, by the AmNews. Five men and a woman were arrested for protesting the Empire Cafeteria, at 306 Lenox Avenue, on the corner of 125th Street, dead center in the heart of Harlem, for their “refusal of to serve Negroes.” “Time was,” said Claudette Law, “even with Harlem mostly African American, some business owners just couldn’t accept it.”

Saying of Gates, famed today for helping celebrities to explore their sometimes surprising family histories, Reddick continued, “I agree with his 1993 essay. He said that Harlem of the past was ‘surely as gay as it was Black.’ The only way that he might have erred was in suggesting that this hadn’t always been the case, or that it’s not still so now.”

“Join us as we spill some his-teary on how the ‘sit-ins’ of the Civil Rights Movement inspired and empowered…[Gay]…and other liberation movements of the 60s and 70s!” the invitation read, (indulging Reddick’s penchant for improbable puns). Unlike the dark days when some establishments barred Blacks and discouraged residents that Harlem Pride likes to classify as “Same Gender Loving” or “SGL” (a term popularized by activist Cleo Manago

as a playwright and activist, with Audre Lorde and Dr. Maya Angelou. Bayard Rustin, the openly gay man who organized the March on Washington, was also praised. It was the legacy of these exemplary individuals and others — Shirley Denise Chisholm, Adriane Ferguson, Michael E. Hodge, and John Reddick — who inspired Harlem Pride co-founders Lawrence Rodriguez and Carmen Neely to organize an unambiguously Black celebration of Pride month on June 26, 2010. That inaugural event included about 20 vendors catering to 2,500 celebrants. As a dedicated ally, New York State Senator Bill Perkins was among them.

in an effort to express inclusivity of the identities of all of Harlem’s LGBTQ+ community), L’Artista restaurant owner Edwin Burton, who served 60 cent cheeseburgers and fries as a reminder of the olden days, couldn’t have been more welcoming. On one of April’s coldest nights, about 25 guests cozily crowded into and filled this warm and intimate spot on Hamilton Place. We all ate, drank, and reminisced as the soundtrack of our young lives, “Love Sensation,”

Cheryl Lynn’s anthem, “Got to Be There,” and other rhythmic oldies played away. We recalled and thanked God for our brilliant predecessors, like great actress Edna Thomas or artists and writers, including poet Claude McKay and sculptor Richmond Barthé. We raised a toast or two to philosopher Alain Leroy Locke, to James Baldwin and his life-changing novel “Giovanni’s Room.” We remembered and thanked out loud Lorraine Hansberry, unmatched

Since then, Harlem Pride has expanded to include community forums, workshops, networking events, and other community outreach activities. If you want to join this year’s festivities, the place to be is 12th Avenue near the Hudson, under the Viaduct. To learn more about this year’s Pride celebrations and lots more, you can visit Harlem Pride at harlempride.org, call (646) 858-3125, or write: Harlem Pride 42 Macombs Place New York. NY, 10039 Harlem Pride — celebrating pride and diversity in our SGL & LGBT communities and organizations in Harlem!

Ron Carter celebrates 89th, Five Spot, Jazzcultural

It’s no coincidence that NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter’s 89th birthday is the same day he began his fiveday engagement May 4–8, at the historic Blue Note jazz club (131 West 3rd Street), where he has performed on many occasions. Two shows each night, at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

There’s no need to repeat Carter’s many astounding accomplishments — the most recorded jazz bassist in history, recognition in the Guiness Book of Records as the most recorded jazz musician, three Grammy Awards, being honored with France’s medallion and title of Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Letters, as the anchor of Miles Davis’s “Second Great Quintet, or his prolific 50-year freelance career that spanned the vast rainbow of music genres and continues to this day.

For the maestro’s birthday, I would like to share my memorable moments of working with Ron over the years as a writer, which was an invaluable learning experience. My first interview with him some years ago was set up by his publicist to take place at his apartment. I was overjoyed but extremely nervous — this was big. As I proudly mentioned the upcoming interview to musician friends, they immediately said, “You better have your stuff together. Ron is serious business. Above all, be on time.”

His publicist gave me a tight 30 minutes, 45 at most. Leaving nothing to chance, I walked into his elegant Upper West Side building lobby, 30 minutes early. Ron responded to his doorman on the intercom, to have me wait — I was really early. Ron greeted me at the door, casually dressed. His 6 ft. 4 in. height can be intimidating up close, but his soft, soothing voice and big smile were calming. Halfway through the interview, we were in a groove, with him sharing a few inside tidbits. We went past the 45 minutes into an hour. As we bid farewell at the door, Ron said with a smile, “Good interview!” I didn’t walk, I floated out of his apartment on cloud 12. I interviewed the great Ron Carter and didn’t screw it up. It was one of those special moments when I

wished my mother were alive; she would have been so proud.

Some years later, I was fortunate enough to attend Ron’s 75th birthday celebration at the Carlyle, a low-key sit-down dinner. Another major interview for a fashion feature once again took place at his apartment. Ron’s exquisite outfits — tailored suits, pocket handkerchiefs, cuff-linked shirts, Crockett & Jones shoes, and bowties — solidified him as one of the best dressed jazz artists with the likes of Roy Haynes, Miles Davis, and Max Roach. Today, the finesse of wearing suits and ties has become an antiquated practice, while Carter still shines as the best dressed artist in music. For over six decades, he has been an intuitive stylist in fashion and music.

The Blue Note was jammed, just days after businesses had reopened after the pandemic. As a member of the Jazz Journalists Association, it was my pleasure to present Ron with our Lifetime Achievement Award. Unbeknownst to me, the entire evening was being filmed for a documentary about his illustrious life. The documentary, “Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes,” can be seen on YouTube and social media platforms. His biography carries the same title (ArtistShare, 2008).

During his Blue Note engagement, Ron will play in a variety of formats, from straight-ahead jazz to classical music. He might even pick up his cello or share music from his 2026 groundbreaking jazz/gospel album “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” with Ricky Dillard and New G. For reservations, visit bluenotejazz.com.

Jazzcultural (349 West 46th Street), the new jazz kid on Manhattan’s delicious “Restaurant Row,” has taken a different turn from most jazz clubs. Its café/bar is open from noon Wednesdays to Sundays. There is no music charge to enter until 6 p.m., when a $25 per person music charge goes into effect. The concert sets in the Jazzcultural music room are at 7 p.m., 9 p.m., and a 10:30 p.m. late show. I recently ventured to Jazzcultural around 2 p.m. on a sunny afternoon to check out the daylight scene. A few people were seated at the bar, grooving to a live bass and guitar duo. I made myself comfortable at a table and ordered a bowl of tomato soup and sparkling water from a lite fare menu of salads, omelets, sandwiches, cappuccino, latte, and more.

During my 45-minute stay, the small audience was treated to varied performances: a young female vocalist and a trio. The friendly bartender, who doubled as waiter, said the café is an allday jam session for musicians who stop in and want to play.

Seems like a good idea for music students, and even established artists who may like to work out a new tune or live woodshedding.

The summer jam sessions offer many interesting possibilities.

Jazzcultural café/bar hours, with its doors closed to the music room,

reminded me of Harlem’s historic Lenox Lounge with its community-friendly bar buzzing with lively conversation from 11 a.m. ’til closing. Its two fancy swinging doors separated the bar (that was also on the left, as at Jazzcultural) from the back performance room. The Lenox bar was jam-packed all day and night, regardless of who performed in the music room.

The renowned vibraphonist Joe Locke, known for his soft touch that creates a ripple effect of a stone dancing on water, appears in Jazzcultural’s music room May 8–10 with two shows each night. “I’m excited about presenting my music at Jazzcultural with this special edition quartet. Jim Ridl, Rudy Royston, and Kenny Davis are consummate musicians who play with a high degree of fire and finesse,” said Locke. “I’m expecting to be as surprised and delighted by what they bring to the music this weekend as the audience members who attend our shows.”

The 10:30 p.m. late shows on May 8–9 feature the dynamic roaring trombone of Frank Lacy, another big brass voice, from Houston, Texas. Lacy’s music concepts have boundless inventive, deliberate notes that fly far beyond the spectrum of jazz; a creative voice without boundaries. For these two nights, the firstcall trombonist showcases his own music force.

For tickets, visit jazzcultural.com.

The Five Spot (231 East 9th Street) is another recently opened jazz club to join Manhattan’s hip scene. Although having adopted the storied name Five Spot Café (1956–1962), there might be great expectations from those who can recall nights that featured the likes of Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Roy Haynes, Ahmed AbdulMalik, and Cannonball Adderley. “We are trying to respect the history and extend the culture of Five Spot and [keep] jazz alive,” said owner Bon Yagi.

On May 8–9, Five Spot lives up to its reputation with tenor saxophonist Rico Jones’s quartet, featuring an all-star lineup with renowned pianist/composer George Cables (member of supergroup the Cookers), bassist Sean Conly, and drummer Jerome Jennings (recorded with Lakecia Benjamin and Camille Thurman, and since 2021 has been a member of Cables’ trio).

For reservations, visit fivespotjazz.com.

Continued from page 19

‘Data heat islands’ add new burden to Black America

By WILLY BLACKMORE Word in Black

The rush to build gigantic data centers to power the nation’s AI boom, such as Elon Musk’s massive Colossus facility near Memphis, Tennessee usually draws community pushback because they generate dangerous levels of air pollution. A new study raises another environmental hazard: the huge amounts of energy that data centers require are heating up nearby communities.

Researchers call it the data heat island effect.

It’s an apt name, considering how similar these temperature increases are to those caused by the urban heat island effect: a significant rise in temperatures in communities that lack shady, green spaces and have an abundance of heat-absorbent surfaces, like metal or asphalt. Black people are 52% more likely than whites to reside in such areas.

The data heat island study, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, examined data centers in rural areas to determine whether those facilities caused increases in nearby surface temperatures.

Researchers analyzed 20 years of temperature data gathered from communities adjacent to 6,000 data centers across the country. They concluded that the opening of a data center — the researcher focused on so-called AI “hyperscalers,” supersized facilities like Colossus — led to an average

temperature increase of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. For some data centers, the temperature spike reached 16.4 degrees.

The heat island effect was apparent as far as 6.2 miles away from a data center.

Study coauthor Andrea Marinoni of the Earth Observation group at the University of Cambridge in England told CNN that the data heat island effect “could have dramatic impacts on society.”

The study analyzed surface temperature measurements, not outdoor ambient temperatures, which are generally lower even when it’s very hot outside. Think about the notion of frying an egg on the sidewalk: the air itself is hot, maybe in the 90s or triple digits, and the concrete is even hotter.

Heat radiating from surfaces — the urban heat island effect — increases daytime air temperatures by up to seven degrees, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Not only are Black people far more likely to live in urban heat islands, but extensive research shows the negative health impacts of increased heat exposure. Urban heat islands increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and death, and they also create conditions that decrease air quality.

If running an AI data center in a rural or sparsely populated community can increase heat in the surrounding area, that effect is likely compounded when the

Voting Rights Act

Continued from page 3

It's about silencing Black voices, dismantling majority Black districts, and rigging the map so that politicians can choose their voters instead of the other way around,” she continued.

Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, called the Supreme Court ruling “an affront and assault” on American democracy. Morial said he’d rather not telegraph their response except to encourage voters to come out during the primaries this year.

Morial quickly convened an emergency meeting on April 30 with other civil rights and legal minds to discuss outrage and strategy.

“The reason race is an issue is because they made it an issue. We were banned from certain things because of race. We were denied the right to vote, and then voter protection because of race. So to blame those of us that inherited a racist history, or a racial setup that you need to correct, is an insult to the intelligence of the American people,” said National Action Network (NAN) President Rev. Al Sharpton. “So we are ready to mobilize. We are not going to take this sitting down.”

Sharpton spoke about NAN’s upcoming listening tour, which will visit more than 23 cities in an effort to encourage voter engagement.

Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights President and CEO Maya Wiley said, “Ever since a Black man won a presidential election with a diverse coalition named Barack Obama, we saw a rush of states to take voting power away from people of color. We heard politicians, who were largely Republican, say out loud, and be reported on from Florida to Pennsylvania. We can deliver an election if we make it harder for Black people to vote. And what the Supreme Court has essentially done is said, ‘Yes, you can. As long as you hide behind partisanship, you can ignore the fact that this is a long history of taking power from people whose decisions you may not like.’”

Some congressional members discussed

Continued from page 5

clear. Seeking professional help is not a failure of faith; it can be an expression of it. What distinguishes her approach is her refusal to flatten the experience of women of color into a single story. As a wife and mother of four, she acknowledges the layered pressures, familial, cultural, spiritual, and systemic, that shape how mental health is experienced and expressed. The expectation to be strong, the fear of being misunderstood, and the historical mistrust of medical systems all surface in her work,

updates to the John Lewis Act to include modern-day language that counteracts the Supreme Court’s ruling and other protec tions not in the 1960s legislation, like pre clearance, bail reform, and even possibly covering passport fees among low-income citizens who can’t afford a renewal or the REAL ID.

They also pointed out that it's a fallacy that Black leaders can’t be elected in dis tricts that aren’t majority-Black.

“Because these extremists have failed America in every possible way. They failed on the economy, they failed on healthcare, they're failing as it relates to this reckless and costly war of choice. The extremists have completely and totally failed Ameri ca. So they've concluded, aided and abetted by the Trump Court, that they have to cheat to win,” said House Democratic Leader and Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries.

Jeffries resolved to summon courage and get this situation turned around going into the 2026 midterm election.

“We will not let their scheme to rig the midterm election and beyond be success ful,” he said. “And when we take back the majority in the aftermath of the Novem ber 2026 elections, one of our first acts is going to be to make sure we pass the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Amend ment Act so we can end the era of voter suppression in America once and for all.”

On April 30, Louisiana suspended prima ries for the state’s six U.S. House seats as a result of the Supreme Court ruling, which would have begun May 2. Early voting for the U.S. Senate May 16 election prima ries will begin that day and continue as planned.

Other Republican leaning states, like Al abama, Tennessee, and Mississippi, have jumped on the redistricting bandwagon. Many of which had primaries for midterm elections that are rapidly approaching.

Recently, Jeffries dispatched Rochester Congressmember Joseph Morelle to see how open Democrats would be to redraw ing the state’s districts ahead of the June pri mary. Even Governor Kathy Hochul has said that she might disband the state’s Indepen dent Redistricting Commission (IRC), which failed to come to a consensus on redistrict ing maps after the last Census in 2021.

not as obstacles to overcome individually, but as realities to be named collectively. Her passion project is helping Black women. “I want to encourage, show them what it looks like. Show them what every day living by the word looks like. It’s messy. We are fallible people,” says Brown. Brown believes that not everyone is called to the pulpit, but everyone has a ministry. “You can show up where you are, but we can also come together as a community, as a connected body, as women, to get you to the place where God purposed you to be, because where you are right now is where God purposed you to be, because you are still here.”

Health

New York City Council passes plan to step up education on vaccines

By TRENTON DANIEL Healthbeat

This article was originally published by Healthbeat, a nonprofit newsroom covering public health that is published by Civic News Company and KFF Health News.

The New York City Council passed a package of bills on Thursday seeking to do more to educate parents about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines as immunization rates show signs of starting to dip.

The five bills aim to make it easier for schools to disseminate accurate information about vaccines to parents, as well as to require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop a plan by year’s end that will educate New Yorkers about the importance of childhood and adolescent vaccinations.

The package will be sent to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has 30 days to sign, veto, or let the bills lapse into law.

The action comes as the federal government, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and followers of his Make America Healthy Again movement, are working to sow doubt and confusion about vaccines, which are scientifically proven to be safe and effective. As a result, state and local governments are taking a greater role in educating the public.

New York state has long had some of the highest vaccination rates in the country, but that record may be faltering.

In New York City, new data suggest parents are delaying routine vaccinations for their children. In March, the city reported that about one in three 2-year-olds had not received all doses of seven vaccines long considered essential: DTap (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis); polio; measles, mumps, and rubella; hib; hepatitis B; varicella (chickenpox); and pcv (pneumococcus).

This prompted city health officials to launch a $1 million campaign over four weeks encouraging parents to vaccinate their children. Officials say the campaign ran in multiple languages and on TV, radio, print news, kiosks, and transportation hubs in neighborhoods with low vaccination rates.

“The new life that Kennedy is giving to the [anti-vaccine] movement has clearly given new life to the diseases themselves,” said City Council Speaker Julie Menin at the council meeting, before the bills were introduced. “The erosion of public trust in science doesn’t just increase health risks for his own band of followers; it also puts our wider community in jeopardy. As lawmakers and as leaders, we cannot sit back and let that happen.”

The United States has seen more measles cases over the past year than in decades.

An outbreak in South Carolina reached nearly 1,000 cases. Most of those infected were unvaccinated.

James Alwine, a virologist; professor emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania; visiting professor at the University of Arizona; and member of Defend Public Health, a nationwide network of public health leaders and advocates, applauded the legislation and offered this advice for the health department on vaccine messaging: Keep it simple and straightforward while highlighting the harm that these preventable diseases can inflict on children.

“Stay out of the real science and data — that just doesn’t work,” Alwine told Healthbeat. “You can’t fight against what [anti-vaxxers are] saying by trying to tell people, ‘Well, here’s the science, here’s the data, here’s the study.’ It just falls on deaf ears, mainly because it’s hard to explain in lay terms.”

Here is a rundown of the bills:

Educating parents: Sponsored by Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, Introduction 260-A requires the health department, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DOE), to develop informational

material about vaccines. DOE is also required to distribute the materials to parents of all New York City public school students, including those enrolled in early childhood programs such as 3-K and Pre-K. The material must include general information about how vaccines work, their public health benefits, their safety, and where to obtain vaccines required for school attendance.

Educating the public: Sponsored by Councilmember Eric Dinowitz, Introduction 693-A requires the health department, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to develop and implement a plan by no later than January 1, 2027, to educate the public about the benefits and importance of childhood and adolescent vaccinations. In developing the plan, the health department is required to consider recommendations adopted by major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Authorizing dentists to immunize: Sponsored by Councilmember and Health Committee Chair Lynn Schulman, Resolution 273 calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the governor to sign, legislation authorizing dentists to administer flu shots, Covid vaccines, human pap-

(Pexels/Gustavo Fring)

illomavirus vaccines, or a vaccine related to a public health emergency.

Recommending vaccines: Also sponsored by Schulman, Resolution 425 calls on the legislature to pass, and for the governor to sign, state legislation requiring vaccines to be regulated, recommended, administered, and insured based on the recommendations of various nationally and internationally recognized healthcare organizations.

Reimbursing costs for providers: Also sponsored by Schulman, a preconsidered resolution calls on the legislature to pass, and the governor to sign, a bill requiring insurance to reimburse the total direct and indirect expenses for providers administering vaccines.

In a written statement attributed to city Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin, the health department said it looks “forward to continuing our partnership with Chair Schulman and City Council on this issue.”

Trenton Daniel is a reporter covering public health in New York for Healthbeat. Contact Daniel at tdaniel@healthbeat.org or on the messaging app Signal at trentondaniel.88.

Unions

News that the push for a union is fueled by what he described as rapid growth at the top and stagnation for frontline staff. “Well, really the biggest thing I think is that Fortune, even in the two years that I’ve been here, has grown by $20 million in its annual budget. So we’re now a $90 million agency. But we have staff being paid totally unlivable wages. We have people making $45,000 or less a year as full-time employees in New York City.

“And as I think is probably true of a lot of nonprofits, Fortune continues to take on contracts with new promises of outcomes and programming without also hiring the appropriate staff to make sure that those outcomes really happen. So it’s kind of a combination of people basically continuing to have more and more and more added to their plate, while at the same time, we don’t even have cost-of-living adjustments happening on a yearly basis.”

He pointed to the numbers staff are carrying. “I know from talking to case managers that people are looking at caseloads of like a hundred-plus people, which is insane,” Knight said. He also described a security change that he said was implemented without meaningful input: “We now have pretty obtrusive metal detectors at the entrance points of all of our buildings,” a decision he said has left some participants feeling they are being pulled back into “aspects of the car-

ceral system again.” And he recalled a recent period when Fortune ran out of transit cards: “As an agency, we ran out entirely for four or five weeks,” leaving staff to “entirely bear the fallout” when court-mandated participants could not get to programming.

In the May 1 letter to Fortune interim CEO Rob DeLeon, Fortune Workers United argued that a union contract could address “income inequality, protection against harassment, and job security.” They also asked leadership, “to enter into a neutrality, card check, and access agreement,” writing: “We respectfully ask you to respond to our request by May 7 at 5:00 p.m. EST.”

Similarly, in the letter employees sent to Osborne Associates, workers told leadership they see unionizing as an extension of the organization’s stated values. “As staff, we are committed to Osborne’s transformational work,” their letter reads. “Every day, we provide services and programming that create opportunities for healing and change, we advocate for clients as they navigate a broken justice system, and we fight at every level of government for policies rooted in community safety, anti-racism, and liberation.

“As impacted and allied staff, we believe we can better serve this work through the formation of a union…we are eager to take this step to sustain and care for our workers and protect our rights, so that we may better serve our clients and our communities today and in the future.”

Nicole Matthews, a career coordinator at Osborne, said in an interview that the orga-

nizing is about more than pay — though she acknowledged money matters — because the work depends on clear processes and support.

“There needs to be a union for several reasons. For one reason, what I’m finding is that the structure of things isn’t necessarily clear,” she said. “You come in, get a week’s worth of training, and then you figure it out from there, which is ridiculous in my eyes, because you’re literally dealing with people’s livelihood.”

For Osborne workers, the push for structure and accountability is a central demand. Osborne Workers United asked management to “follow through” on what their letter describes as a prior assurance that staff have the right to unionize, and requested leadership enter “into a card check neutrality agreement, following New York City Local Law 87/2021, which requires Labor Peace Agreements for Human Services contractors.” The letter asks Osborne to respond by May 15, 2026.

The organizing at the nonprofits has also gotten the attention of elected officials. In a May 1 letter to Fortune and Osborne leaders, some 10 City Council Members wrote that they “understand that workers at Fortune and Osborne have expressed a clear desire to form a union, which we fully support their right to do so without any interference, intimidation, or delay.”

The council members noted that Fortune and Osborne receive substantial funding from the city and said that, “Supporting their right to unionize is not just a matter of fairness, but an investment in the long-term strength and sustainability of the organiza-

tions and our communities.”

Fortune and Osborne workers say they don’t expect their conflict with management to lead to a strike or a long fight. They are asking for a written process that would let organizing move forward quickly and with minimal disruption to programs. So far, a spokesperson from Fortune has stated that “The Fortune Society received a request from a union to represent certain employees of the organization. We are working on responding to this request. As always, we will act with the best interests of our staff in mind, and in compliance with all legal obligations.” And a spokesperson for Osborne issued a statement saying, “Osborne Association recognizes the right of workers to unionize and will participate in good-faith discussions. We will listen to their demands and do all we can to support our staff as they continue providing critical services and advocacy on behalf of people impacted by incarceration.”

If management signs on, the next step would be bargaining. Fortune workers wrote that unionizing would address “income inequality, protection against harassment, and job security.” Knight and Matthews described how that could also show up in dayto-day operations: caseload expectations, training, standard procedures, and having “an assured seat at the table” before decisions — like security changes or program supports — roll out. Matthews put it this way: “If we had the proper support, the care that we need to give will be instead of 100% and be at 150 or 200%.”

Religion & Spirituality Does frequent worship lead to better mental health? Often, but

not

always, experts say

By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Worldwide, the landscape of religion is not serene. Many denominations have been racked by division. In some regions, believers are targeted with violence. Countless faith leaders have betrayed their flocks via corruption or sexual abuse.

Against this backdrop, there has been a long-running discussion about the role that religion can play in enhancing personal well-being and lowering the risk of mental health problems.

A positive view of religious faith’s relation to mental health is shared by several prominent U.S. mental health organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America.

“Religion gives people something to believe in, provides a sense of structure, and typically offers a group of people to connect with” those with similar beliefs, according to NAMI. “Research suggests that religiosity reduces suicide rates, alcoholism, and drug use.”

The American Psychological Association takes a nuanced approach, reflecting the views of several experts who shared theirs with The Associated Press. The APA says its “Handbook of Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality,” “sheds light on the many purposes religion serves, the rich variety of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices, and the capacity of religion and spirituality to do both good and harm.”

At St. John Fisher University — a Catholic school in Rochester, New York, — visiting psychology instructor Timothy Powers says he sees that duality in his own counseling practice.

“While faith community participation can confer real and well documented protective benefits, those same communities can also be sources of shame, spiritual bypass, trauma, and significant barriers to seeking help,” Powers said via email. “Clinically, both realities show up in the counseling room, sometimes in the same person.”

“The task for therapists is to approach the subject without assuming that religion/spirituality is a resource or that it is a wound, to be open to ambiguity, and to ask rather than presume,” Powers added.

Charles Camosy, a professor of moral theology and bioethics at The Catholic University of America, also shared nuanced thoughts.

“We expect on the one hand that being faithful will bring with it good things in this life,” Camosy said in an email.

Yet “living out the Gospel doesn’t lead to healthy, flourishing lives for everyone.

People still get sick, including mentally ill,” he added. “Christians, and especially faithful Christians who are salt and light in a world full of violence and injustice, are not promised mental health as a reward for faithfulness in this life.”

On Monday, there was a new contribution to the discussion, a report assembled by a team of professors and researchers for the Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University. The institute describes as its basic mission: “Research-supported work that fortifies the core institutions of the family, religion, and constitutional government.”

Citing an analysis of hundreds of previous studies, the report says that committed religious involvement — corresponding to at least weekly attendance at worship services — was linked to lower suicide risk, better stress management, reduced substance misuse, and higher levels of hope.

“Although harmful or coercive forms of religion do exist, the overall pattern across the best available studies is clear: religious belief and practice are overwhelmingly associated with better mental and emotional well-being,” the report said.

The executive director of the American Humanist Association, Fish Stark, said he had no quibble with the assertion that religious engagement may have psychological benefits. But he stressed that nonreligious people had ways to fare equally well.

“If you have a strong secular, atheist identity, and actively participate in a nonreligious community, you get the same benefits,” Stark said.

“The key is whether you have core convictions and participate in social groups,” he added. “Those with strong religious identities and strong secular identities are equally happy.”

Sociology professor Ellen Idler, director of Emory University’s Religion and Public Health Collaborative, suggested that the effect of religion on mental health should not be measured solely among those who attend religious services regularly.

“Those who have been, or perceived that they have been, harmed by religion will stay away, leaving those less troubled in the pews,” she said, citing people who had been sexually abused by clergy as children or were stigmatized by their congregations because they were LGBTQ+.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on March 12, 2026.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre St, Room 252, New York, NY 10007 on May 26, 2026 at 2:15 PM premises known as 1601 3rd Avenue, Apt 28C, New York, NY 10128.

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NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NEW YORK COUNTY U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COMMERCIAL CAPITAL LOAN TRUST 2023-2, Plaintiff against NYLOFLAT LLC; FERNANDO MIGUEL ANTONIO LAURIA; FERNANDO ANTONIO LAURIA, 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 March 19, 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 May 19, 2026 at 2:15PM. Premises known as 200 East 66th Street, Unit B1503, New York, NY 10065. Block 1420 Lot 1176. The Condominium Unit (the "Unit") known as B1503 in the building ("Building") known as THE MANHATTAN HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ("Condominium") and by the street number 200 East 66th Street, New York, New York, Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $2,281,311.48 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 850652/2023. 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. Elaine Shay, Esq., Referee File # 23-001284-02

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. 57TH ST. VACATION OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff ‑against‑ PETER WIND OLSEN, LIS BETH STEEN OLSEN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 25, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premis es 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 undivided .009864% common interest percentage. This is a foreclosure on ownership inter est in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declara

sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premis es 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 undivided .009864% common interest percentage. This is a foreclosure on ownership inter est in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declara tions. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, 2008 and October 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lot 37.

Said premises known as 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10019

Approximate amount of lien $33,293.32 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850154/2023.

SOFIA BALILE, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39143 {* AMSTERDAM*}

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF BRONX

OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC,

-against-

JORGE MUJICA, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Bronx on August 16, 2017, wherein OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC is the Plaintiff and JORGE MUJICA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BRONX COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 851 GRAND CONCOURSE, COURTROOM 711, BRONX, NY 10451, on June 1, 2026 at 2:15PM, premises known as 1035 HOLLYWOOD AVENUE, BRONX, NY 10465; and the following tax map identification: 5421-54.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH AND COUNTY OF BRONX, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 380444/2009E. Jody P. Vorchheimer, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff -against- TREVOR C. MORAN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated April 22, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on June 2, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. The Unit known as Residential Unit No. 10A in the building known as The Heritage at Trump Place, 240 Riverside Boulevard, in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, Together with an undivided 0.7911% interest in the common elements. Block: 1171 Tax Lot: 2111. Said premises known as 240 RIVERSIDE BOULEVARD, UNIT 10A, NEW YORK, NY 10069. Approximate amount of lien $5,673,292.89 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 850110/2019.

THOMAS KLEINBERGER, ESQ., Referee, David A. Gallo & Associates LLP, Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030. File# 5025.1930 {* AMSTERDAM*}

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , U.S. Bank, National Association as Legal Title Trustee for Truman 2016 SC6 Title Trust , Plaintiff, vs . Moshe Rahimi , ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order On Motion entered on February 15, 2024 and a Decision + Order on Motion entered on March 9, 2026, 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 May 19, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 635 West 42nd Street, a/k/a 627-635 West 42nd Street, Unit 15J, New York, NY 10036. 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 1090 and Lot 1351 together with an undivided 0.12612 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $570,028.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850111/2020. Paul R. Sklar, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 201235-1

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff ‑against‑ ONE57 36B LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 16, 2026 and entered on March 9, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on June 2, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, in the prem ises known as "The 157 West 57th Street Condominium" Unit being designated and de scribed as Unit No. 36B. Togeth er with an undivided 0.2668% interest in the General Common Elements. Block: 1010 Lot: 1720 Said premises known as 157 WEST 57TH STREET, UNIT 36B, NEW YORK, NY 10019

Approximate amount of lien $5,416,461.44 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgag ee’s attorney. Index Number 850387/2024.

ROBERTA ASHKIN, ESQ., Ref eree

David A. Gallo & Associates LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 7777.373

{* AMSTERDAM*}

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT- COUNTY OF NEW YORK

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST , Plaintiff, AGAINST KELLY J. CONDON A/K/A

KELLY CONDON , et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on March 12, 2026.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre St, Room 252, New York, NY 10007 on May 26, 2026 at 2:15 PM premises known as 1601 3rd Avenue, Apt 28C, New York, NY 10128.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for New York County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for New York County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

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 1536 and Lot 1298.

Approximate amount of judgment $766,031.08 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #850632/2023.

Christy M. Demelfi, Esq. , Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP - Attorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES, INC., MULTIFAMILY MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2018-SB57, Plaintiff, vs. 145 allen legacy ltd liability co., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 1, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Court, room assignment will be posted outside of room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007 on June 9, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 145 Allen Street, New York, New York 10002. 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 415 and Lot 22. Approximate amount of judgment is $2,682,806.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850259/2025. Sofia Balile, Esq., Referee McCarter & English, LLP, 250 W 55th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Qualification of CORSICAN EAGLE, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/17/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/21/25. Princ. office of LLC: 84 Wooster St., Ste. 400, NY, NY 10012. 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: 221 W 9th St., PMB 959, Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Property Assessment Depart

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

VOYA RETIREMENT INSUR

ANCE AND ANNUITY COMPA

NY, Plaintiff ‑against‑ UNIWAY PARTNERS, L.P., et al Defen dant(s). Pursuant to a Decision and Order on Motion and Con sent Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 10, 2026, and entered on March 30, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. PARCEL I:

The Condominium Unit (herein after referred to as the "Unit") in the building (hereinafter referred to as the "Building") known as the 30 East Ninth Street Con dominium, and by the Street Number 30 East 9th Street, Borough of Manhattan, Coun ty, City and State of New York, said Unit being designated and described as Unit No. 2 (Com mercial) in a certain Declaration dated 3/5/1986, made by the Sponsor pursuant to Article 9‑B of the Real Property Law of the State of New York (hereinafter referred to as the "Condomini um Act") establishing a plan for condominium ownership of the building and land (hereinafter referred to as the "Land"), upon which the Building is situate (which Land is more particularly described below), which Decla ration was recorded in the New York County Office of the Reg ister of The City of New York on 5/9/1986 in Reel 1061 Page 1910, as amended and Restat ed by Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium, dated 5/12/1986 and recorded 5/13/1986 in Reel 1063 Page 329, and further amended and restated by Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium, dated 7/29/1986 and recorded 7/30/1986 in Reel 1095 Page 1991 (which decla ration and amendments thereto are hereinafter collectively re ferred to as the "Declaration").

This Unit is also designated as Tax Lot 1002 in Block 560 of the Borough of Manhattan on the Tax Map of the Real Prop erty Assessment Department of the City of New York and on the Floor Plans of the Building filed with said Assessment Depart ment as Condominium Plan No. 306, and also filed in the City Register's Office on 5/9/1986 as Map No. 4456. TOGETHER with an undivided 27.84% interest in the Common Elements (as such term is defined in the Dec laration). The Land on which the Building containing said Unit is more particularly bounded and described as follows: 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, which comprises Lots 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132 and 133 as shown on Map of Property of the Trustees of the Sailor's Snug Harbor in the City of New York, made by Edwin Smith, C.S., dated 4/13/1848 and filed in the Office of the Register of the City of New York, New York County, now Register of the City of New York on 4/27/1848 as Map No. 158, which said Lots taken together are bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at the cor ner formed by the southerly side of East 9th Street, and the east erly side of University Place; RUNNING THENCE easterly and along the southerly side of East 9th Street, 227 feet 7‑3/4 inches. THENCE in a souther ly direction at right angles to

of East 9th Street, 227 feet 7‑3/4 inches. THENCE in a souther ly direction at right angles to the southerly side of East 9th Street, 187 feet 10 inches to the northerly side of East 8th Street; THENCE westerly and along the northerly side of East 8th Street, 241 feet 3‑5/8 inches to the easterly side of University Place; and THENCE northerly along the easterly side of Uni versity Place, 188 feet 3‑7/8 inches to the point or place of BEGINNING. Block: 560 Lot: 1002

Said premises known as 21 UNIVERSITY PLACE a/k/a 30 EAST 9TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003

of East 9th Street, and the east erly side of University Place; RUNNING THENCE easterly and along the southerly side of East 9th Street, 227 feet 7‑3/4 inches. THENCE in a souther ly direction at right angles to the southerly side of East 9th Street, 187 feet 10 inches to the northerly side of East 8th Street; THENCE westerly and along the northerly side of East 8th Street, 241 feet 3‑5/8 inches to the easterly side of University Place; and THENCE northerly along the easterly side of Uni versity Place, 188 feet 3‑7/8 inches to the point or place of BEGINNING. Block: 560 Lot: 1002

Said premises known as 21 UNIVERSITY PLACE a/k/a 30 EAST 9TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003

PARCEL 2:

PARCEL 2:

The Condominium Unit (herein after referred to as the "Unit") in the building (hereinafter referred to as the "Building) known as the 40 East Ninth Street Con dominium and by the Street Number 40 East 9th Street, Borough of Manhattan, Coun ty, City and State of New York, said Unit being designated and described as Unit No. 2 (Com mercial) in a certain declaration dated 3/5/1986, made by the Sponsor pursuant to Article 9‑B of the Real Property Law of the State of New York (hereinafter referred so as the "Condomini um Act"), establishing a plan for condominium ownership of the building and land (hereinafter referred to as the "Land"), upon which the Building is situate (which Land is more particularly described below), which Decla ration was recorded in the New York County Office of the Reg ister of The City of New York on 5/9/1986 in Reel 1061 Page 1971, as amended and Restat ed by Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium, dated 5/12/1986 and recorded 5/13/1986 in Reel 1063 Page 186, and further amended and restated by Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium, dated 7/29/1986 and recorded 7/30/1986 in Reel 1095 Page 1840 (which decla ration and amendments thereto are hereinafter collectively re ferred so as the "Declaration").

This Unit is also designated as Tax Lot 1102 in Block 560 of the Borough of Manhattan on the Tax Map of the Real Prop erty Assessment Department of the City of New York and on the Floor Plans of the Building filed with said Assessment Depart ment as Condominium Plan No. 304, and also filed in the City Register's Office on 5/9/1986, as Map No. 4455. TOGETHER with an undivided 16.87% inter est in the Common Elements (as such term is defined in the Declaration). The Land on which the Building containing said Unit is more particular ly bounded and described as follows: 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, which com prises Lots 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 123 and 124 in Block 560, as shown on map of property of Lessor, made by Edwin Smith, City Surveyor, dated 4/13/1848 and filed in the Office of the Register of the County of New York, now Reg ister of the City of New York, New York County on 4/27/1848 as Map No. 158, which said lots taken together are bounded on the North by East 9th Street, on the West by the easterly lines of Lots 125 and 173, respectively in Block 560, as shown on said map on the South by East 8th with Street and on the East by the westerly lines of Lots 116 and 182, respectively in Block

The Condominium Unit (herein after referred to as the "Unit") in the building (hereinafter referred to as the "Building) known as the 40 East Ninth Street Con dominium and by the Street Number 40 East 9th Street, Borough of Manhattan, Coun ty, City and State of New York, said Unit being designated and described as Unit No. 2 (Com mercial) in a certain declaration dated 3/5/1986, made by the Sponsor pursuant to Article 9‑B of the Real Property Law of the State of New York (hereinafter referred so as the "Condomini um Act"), establishing a plan for condominium ownership of the building and land (hereinafter referred to as the "Land"), upon which the Building is situate (which Land is more particularly described below), which Decla ration was recorded in the New York County Office of the Reg ister of The City of New York on 5/9/1986 in Reel 1061 Page 1971, as amended and Restat ed by Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium, dated 5/12/1986 and recorded 5/13/1986 in Reel 1063 Page 186, and further amended and restated by Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium, dated 7/29/1986 and recorded 7/30/1986 in Reel 1095 Page 1840 (which decla ration and amendments thereto are hereinafter collectively re ferred so as the "Declaration"). This Unit is also designated as Tax Lot 1102 in Block 560 of the Borough of Manhattan on the Tax Map of the Real Prop erty Assessment Department of the City of New York and on the Floor Plans of the Building filed with said Assessment Depart ment as Condominium Plan No. 304, and also filed in the City Register's Office on 5/9/1986, as Map No. 4455. TOGETHER with an undivided 16.87% inter est in the Common Elements (as such term is defined in the Declaration). The Land on which the Building containing said Unit is more particular ly bounded and described as follows: 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, which com prises Lots 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 123 and 124 in Block 560, as shown on map of property of Lessor, made by Edwin Smith, City Surveyor, dated 4/13/1848 and filed in the Office of the Register of the County of New York, now Reg ister of the City of New York, New York County on 4/27/1848 as Map No. 158, which said lots taken together are bounded on the North by East 9th Street, on the West by the easterly lines of Lots 125 and 173, respectively in Block 560, as shown on said

the West by the easterly lines of Lots 125 and 173, respectively in Block 560, as shown on said map on the South by East 8th with Street and on the East by the westerly lines of Lots 116 and 182, respectively in Block 560, as shown on said map, which plot is more particularly bounded and described as fol lows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of East 9th Street, 248 feet 1‑7/8 inches westerly from the corner formed by the intersection of said south erly side of East 9th Street, and the westerly side of Broadway; RUNNING THENCE southerly at right angles to the southerly side of East 9th Street, a dis tance of 187 feet 10 inches to the northerly side of East 8th Street, which point is distant 235 feet 7 inches westerly from the corner formed by the inter section of the said northerly side of East 8th Street, with the westerly side of Broadway; THENCE westerly at right an gles to the last mentioned line and along the northerly side of East 8th Street, a distance of 200 feet to a point, 241 feet 3‑5/8 inches easterly from the corner formed by the intersec tion of the said northerly side of East 8th Street, with the east erly side of University Place; THENCE northerly at right angles to the northerly side of East 8th Street, a distance of 187 feet 10 inches to the south erly side of East 9th Street, which point is distant 227 feet 7‑3/4 inches easterly from the intersection of the said souther ly side of East 9th Street, with the easterly side of University Place; THENCE easterly at right angles to the last mentioned line of 200 feet to the point or place of BEGIN NING. Block: 560 Lot: 1102 Said premises known as 40 EAST 9TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003

PARCEL 3:

The Condominium Unit (herein after referred to as the "Unit") in the building (hereinafter referred to as the "Building") known as the 60 East Ninth Street Con dominium and by the Street Number 60 East 9th Street, Borough of Manhattan, Coun ty, City and State of New York, said Unit being designated and described as Unit No. 2 (Com mercial) in a certain Declaration dated 3/5/1986, made by the Sponsor pursuant to Article 9‑B of the Real Property Law of the State of New York (hereinafter referred to as the "Condomini um Act"), establishing a plan for condominium ownership of the Building and land (hereinafter referred to as the "Land"), upon which the Building is situate (which Land is more particularly described below), which Decla ration was recorded in the New York County Office of the Reg ister of The City of New York on 5/9/1986 in Reel 1061 Page 1849, as amended and Restat ed by Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium, dated 5/12/1986 and recorded 5/13/1986 in Reel 1063 Page 257, and further amended and restated by Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium, dated 7/29/1986 and recorded 7/30/1986 in Reel 1095 Page 1916 (which decla ration and amendments thereto are hereinafter collectively re ferred to as the "Declaration").

This Unit is also designated as Section 2 Tax Lot 1202 in Block 560 of the Borough of Manhat tan on the Tax Map of the Real Property Assessment Depart ment of the City of New York and on the Floor Plans of the Building filed with said Assess ment Department as Condo minium Plan No. 303, and also filed in the City Register's Office

ment of the City of New York and on the Floor Plans of the Building filed with said Assess ment Department as Condo minium Plan No. 303, and also filed in the City Register's Office on 5/9/1986 as Map No. 4457. TOGETHER with an undivided 27.34% interest in the Common Elements (as such term is de fined in the Declaration). The Land on which the Building con taining said Unit is more partic ularly bounded and described as follows: 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, which com prises Lots 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111,112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 182, 183, 184, 185 and 186 in Block 560, as shown on Map of Property of the Trust ees of the Sailor's Snug Harbor in the City of New York, made by Edwin Smith, C.S., dated 4/13/1848 and filed in the Of fice of the Register of the City of New York, New York County on 4/27/1848 as Map No. 158, which said lots taken together are bounded on the North by East Ninth Street, on the East by Broadway, on the South by East Eighth Street, and on the West by easterly lines of Lots 117 and 181, respectively in Block 560 as shown on said map, and which said lots are more particularly bounded and described as follows: BEGIN NING at the corner formed by the intersection of the souther ly side of East 9th Street, with the westerly side of Broadway; RUNNING THENCE souther ly along the westerly side of Broadway, 188 feet 3 inches to the corner formed by the inter section of the northerly side of East 8th Street, with the west erly side of Broadway; THENCE westerly along the northerly side of East 8th Street, 235 feet 7 inches: THENCE northerly in a straight line and at right an gles to East 8th Street and East 9th Street, 187 feet 10 inches to the southerly side of East 9th Street; THENCE easterly along the southerly side of East 9th Street, 248 feet 1‑7/8 inches to the corner, the point or place of BEGINNING. Block: 560 Lot: 1202

Said premises known as 60 EAST 9TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003

Approximate amount of lien $56,906,206.99 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 850412/2025.

ROBERTA E. ASHKIN, ESQ., Referee KRISS & FEUERSTEIN LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 360 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10017

{* AMSTERDAM*}

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NA, SUCCESSOR TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, NA, AS TRUSTEE, FOR THE CHASE MORTGAGE FINANCE TRUST FOR MULTICLASS PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007S1,

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on March 18, 2026, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NA, SUCCESSOR TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, NA, AS TRUSTEE, FOR THE CHASE MORTGAGE FINANCE TRUST FOR MULTICLASS PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007S1 is the Plaintiff and SVETLANA V. BUKHARIN JUSTER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the NEW YORK COUNTY CIVIL SUPREME COURTHOUSE, ROOM 252, 60 CENTRE STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10007, on June 2, 2026 at 2:15PM, premises known as 100 CENTRAL PARKWAY SOUTH, 6G, NEW YORK, NY 10019; and the following tax map identification: 1011-7033. THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT (THE "UNIT") KNOWN AS UNIT NO. 6G IN THE BUILDING (THE "BUILDING") KNOWN AS TRUMP PARC EAST CONDOMINIUM AND BY THE STREET NUMBER 100 CENTRAL PARK SOUTH, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, COUNTY, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, SAID UNIT BEING DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED BY THE ABOVE UNIT NO. IN A CERTAIN DECLARATION DATED APRIL 2, 1998, MADE BY TRUMP CPS LLC PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 9-B OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (THE "CONDOMINIUM ACT")

TOGETHER WITH AN UNDIVIDED 0.7139 PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE DECLARATION; 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

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 850629/2023. Georgia Papazis, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

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 2131 and Lot 35. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,788,234.28 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850427/2024. Georgia Papazis, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 241847-1

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , Stormfield SPV IV, LLC , Plaintiff, vs . Bowery Shed LLC , ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on March 9, 2026 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on May 19, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 354 Bowery, Unit 3, New York, NY 10012. 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 531 and Lot 1203 together with an undivided 16 percent interest in the Common Elements, as well as all personal property of Defendant as identified in that certain Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2023, and recorded on May 23, 2023, as CRFN 2023000126995, 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 $1,197,719.00 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850019/2025.

Sofia Balile, Esq., Referee Polsinelli PC, Aaron P. Davis, Esq., 600 Third Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10016, Attorneys for Plaintiff

NOTICE OF SALE

-againstSVETLANA V. BUKHARIN JUSTER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on March 18, 2026, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MEL-

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, Athene Annuity and Life Company, Plaintiff, vs. 534W175TH LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on March 12, 2026, 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 June 2, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 534 West 175th Street, New York, NY 10033. 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 2131 and Lot 35. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,788,234.28 plus interest

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , 188 East 64th PH2 Funding Associates , Plaintiff, vs . 188 E 64 LLC a/k/a 188 East 64 LLC , ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion (the “Judgment”) duly entered on March 10, 2026 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Supreme Court, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on May 19, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 188 East 64th Street, Unit PH2, New York, 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 1398 and Lot 1076 together with an undivided 0.9941 percent interest in the Common Elements. As of the date of the Judgment, the approximate amount of judgment is $4,636,331.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and terms of sale. Index # 850126/2025. Paul Sklar, Esq., Referee Norris McLaughlin P.A., 7 Times Square, 21st Floor New York, New York 10036 Attorneys for Plaintiff

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF WFRBS COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE TRUST 2014- LC14, COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2014-LC14, acting by and through its special servicer, Rialto Capital Advisors, LLC, as Special Servicer under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of February 1, 2014, Plaintiff, -againstCOHEN RITZ RETAIL COMPANY, LLC; CHARLES STEVEN COHEN; BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 465 PARK AVENUE CONDOMINIUM; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; and NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that, pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion of the Honorable Francis A. Kahn III, J.S.C., dated March 24, 2026, and entered in the Office of the New York County Clerk on March 26, 2026 (NYSCEF Doc. No. 148), the undersigned Referee will set at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, Supreme Court, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007, on May 19, 2026 at 2:15 pm, the fee and ground lease interests in the real property located at 465 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, also known as 101 East 57th Street, New York, New York 10022 (Block 1312, Lots 1301 and 70) (the “Property”), as more particularly described as follows: As to Parcel I, Tax Lot 1301: The Commercial Unit ("Commercial Unit") in the condominium ("Condominium") known as The 465 Park Avenue Condominium and also known by the street number 465 Park Avenue, Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, said Commercial Unit being designated and described as the Commercial Unit in the declaration dated December 27, 1990, made by The Ritz Tower Hotel, Inc. pursuant to Article 9-B of the Real Property Law of the State of New York ("New York Condominium Act), establishing a plan for Condominium ownership of the building (the "Building") and the land (the "Land") upon which the Building is situate (which Land is more particularly described below), which declaration was recorded in the New York County Office of the Register of The City of New York ("City Register's Office") on January 30, 1991 in Reel 1759 page 1919, as amended by First Amendment to Declaration dated as of December 16, 1991 and recorded in the City Register's Office on July 29, 1993 in Reel 1993 Page 299 as further amended by Second Amendment to Declaration dated as of February 28, 1997 and recorded in the City Register's Office on April 29, 1997 in Reel 295 page 500 as further amended by the First Amendment to the bylaws dated as of February 28, 1997 recorded in the City Register's Office on April 29, 1997, in Reel 2451, Page 507

the City Register's Office on April 29, 1997 in Reel 295 page 500 as further amended by the First Amendment to the bylaws dated as of February 28, 1997 recorded in the City Register's Office on April 29, 1997, in Reel 2451, Page 507 (the "Declaration"). The Commercial Unit is also designated as Tax Lot 1301 in Block 1312 of Section 5 of the Borough of Manhattan on the Tax Map of the Real Property Assessment Department of The City of New York and on the Plans of the Building, certified by Hurley & Farinella, Architects, and filed in the Register's Office on January 30, 1991, as Condominium Plan No. 756 and also filed in the City Register's Office on January 30, 1991, as Map No. 5058/91; TOGETHER with an undivided 33-1/3% interest in the Common Elements as such term is defined in the Declaration; The Land: ALL that certain lot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the northerly side of 57 th Street, distant 17 feet 6 inches easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of 57 th Street with the easterly side of Park Avenue; RUNNING THENCE northerly parallel with the easterly side of Park Avenue, and part of the way through a party wall, 80 feet 5 inches; THENCE easterly parallel with the northerly side of 57 th Street, 52 feet 6 inches more or less, to a point distant 70 feet easterly from the said easterly side of Park Avenue; RUNNING THENCE northerly again parallel with the easterly side of Park Avenue, 20 feet; RUNNING THENCE easterly again parallel with the northerly side of 57 th Street, 60 feet; RUNNING THENCE southerly and again parallel with the easterly side of Park Avenue and part of the way through a party wall, 100 feet 5 inches to the northerly side of 57 th Street; and RUNNING THENCE westerly along the northerly side of 57 th Street, 112 feet 6 inches to the point or place of BEGINNING. TOGETHER with the Benefits but also subject to the terms and burdens contained in a certain Light and Air Easement recorded in Liber 3558 Cp. 151, as partially modified by Reel 374 Page 1757. As to Parcel II, Tax Lot 70: Leasehold interest in the land described below created pursuant to the Ground Lease described on Exhibit B hereto: ALL that certain lot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the northeasterly corner of 57 th Street and Park Avenue; and RUNNING THENCE northerly along Park Avenue, 80 feet more or less; THENCE running easterly, and parallel with 57 th Street, 17 feet 6 inches; THENCE running southerly and parallel with Park Avenue and partly through a party wall 80 feet more or less; THENCE westerly along said 57th Street, 17 feet 6 inches to the point or place of BEGINNING. Together with all personal property located on the real property on the date of the auction. Approximate amount of lien $24,063,716.05 plus interest and costs. Property will be sold in separate parcels but in one judicial public foreclosure auction subject to the provisions of the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion and Terms of Sale, Index No. 850108/2025. ELAINE SHAYE,

one judicial public foreclosure auction subject to the provisions of the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion and Terms of Sale, Index No. 850108/2025. ELAINE SHAYE, ESQ., Referee

Dated: New York, New York, April 1, 2026 HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP, By: /s/ David V. Mignardi Keith M. Brandofino, Esq. David V. Mignardi, Esq. Maryanne Pedersen, Esq. Attorneys for Plaintiff, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee for the Registered Holders of WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2014-LC14, Commercial Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series 2014-LC14, acting by and through its special servicer, Rialto Capital Advisors LLC, as Special Servicer under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of February 1, 2014. 787 Seventh Avenue, 31st Floor New York, New York 10019 Tel: (212) 513-3200

Fax: (212) 385-9010

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

HSBC BANK USA,

-against-

KAREN KENNEY A/K/A KAREN KENNY, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on July 3, 2023, wherein HSBC BANK USA is the Plaintiff and KAREN KENNEY A/K/A KAREN KENNY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the NEW YORK COUNTY CIVIL SUPREME COURTHOUSE, ROOM 252, 60 CENTRE STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10007, on May 19, 2026 at 2:15PM, premises known as 144 WEST 123RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10027; and the following tax map identification: 1907-53. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, COUNTY, CITY AND STATE OF N.Y.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 810040/2012. Elaine Shay, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

Notice of Qualification of NORWEST LIMITED, LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/19/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/28/98. Princ. office of LLC: 90 South 7th St., Minneapolis, MN 554027506. NYS fictitious name: WF NORWEST, LLC. 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 DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19801. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of BLACKSTONE ABF WHOLE LOAN ASSOCIATES LLC

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF [WILKINSON FORGE & FOUNDRY LLC].Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on [04/13/2026]. Office Location [NY] County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The P.O address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the [LLC] served upon him/her is: [45 Main Street Suite 238 Brooklyn NY 11201]. The principal business address of the [LLC] is [199 Water St. , 34th fl, New York, NY 10038].

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/19/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/25/21. Princ. office of LLC: 345 Park Ave., NY, NY 10154. 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 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: The nature of the business and purpose of the Company is to act as general partner for certain limited partnerships that invest in privately originated credit and other income-generating investments in the asset based finance market.

SUPREME COURT. NEW YORK COUNTY. FLUSHING BANK, Plaintiff. vs. LUIS A. DIAZ, JR., et al Defendant(s). Index #850207/2025. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale and decision + order on motion entered April 8, 2026 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on June 9, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. ALL that certain plot, piece of parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of the Manhattan, City and State of New York known as 171 East 111th Street, New York, NY a/k/a Block 1639, Lot 29. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,232,233.61 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

RONALD ZEZIMA, Referee. WESTERMAN BALL EDERER MILLER ZUCKER & SHARFSTEIN, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1201 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556. #102915

Notice of Qualification Plante & Moran, PLLC Plante & Moran, PLLC (the "PLLC"), a professional service limited liability company formed on October 1, 2002 under the laws of the State of Michigan, filed an Application for Authority with the New York Department of State on December 30, 2025, pursuant to Section 1306 of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The county in New York in which the office of the PLLC is located is New York County (Manhattan Borough). The PLLC is authorized to practice the profession of certified public accountancy and public accountancy in the State of New York. The Secretary of State of the State of New York has been designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process served upon it to: 3000 Town Center, Suite 100, Southfield, Michigan 48075.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Bray & Yaffe LLP Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on March 5, 2026. Office Location New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLP served upon him/her is: 119 West 23rd Street, Suite 900 New York, NY 10011.The principal business address of the LLP is 119 West 23rd Street, Suite 900 New York, NY 10011. Purpose: Law

Notice of Formation of Logistics Q&M LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 4/1/2026. Office Location: New York County, New York. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 45 Main St. Suite 238, Brooklyn, NY, 11201. Registered Agent: LegalZoom USCA, Inc. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of formation of MILLIE WIGS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/17/2026. 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 LEGALCORP SOLUTIONS, LLC: 11 BROADWAY, SUITE 615 NEW YORK CITY, NY, 10004, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of PI2 HOLDINGS LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/20/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/11/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 500 Washington St., Ste. 400, San Francisco, CA 94111. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, DE, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of PROCELLARX, LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/25/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 2/23/2022. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to PROCELLARX, LLC: 5680 King Centre DR ST 600 Alexandria, VA 22315. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 5680 King Centre DR ST 600 Alexandria, VA 22315 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

CLARITY TAX COUNSEL PLLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 04/17/2026. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of PLLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 43 West 43rd Street, , Suite 449, New York, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

SLK COVENTURES LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 02/08/2026. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 224 W, 35th St Ste 500, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 713 MADISON 28 TIC OWNER, LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/31/26. Office location: NY County. 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, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Carter & Stanley LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/01/26. Office Location New York County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Carter & Stanley LLC at 888 7th Avenue 4th Floor, NY, NY 10106. The principal business address of the LLC is 888 7th Avenue 4th Floor, NY, NY 10106. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of Firm of Kenneth M. Berman 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 Kenneth M. Berman: 228 Park Ave S. #547283, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of HARBINGER ADVISORY LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY on 010/8/2026. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Cassiope Sydoriak, 99 John Street 1107, New York, NY 10038. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of formation of KETA WATERS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/28/2026. 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 Adam Massmann: 90 Convent Ave, Apt 22, New York, NY, 10027. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Lumavec Group, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/12/2025. 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 Mestun Cosmo 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 Elif Ozyurekoglu : 145 East 48th Street Apt 32B New York, NY 10017. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of Myka NY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/17/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Registered Agents Inc., 418 Broadway, Ste R, Albany, NY 12207. R/A: Registered Agents Inc., 418 Broadway, Ste R, Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of Myka Window LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/20/2026. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 79 Melba Street, Milford, CT 06460. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of Nutritional-E Coaching LLC.. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/06/2026. 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 Republic Registered Agent Services Inc.: 54 State Street, Suite 804, Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF Vertigo Autos, LLC Application for Authority filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/20/26 . Office Location New York. LLC formed in DE on 07/10/2014. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Vertigo Autos, LLC at 135 W 50th St, Fl 17, NY, NY 10020. Cert. of LLC filed with Secy of State of DE located at 401 Federal St, 4, Dover, DE 1990.Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of CUE Hospitality 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 Sebastian Lysen: 460 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Affirmed Medical, PLLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 03/17/26. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of PLLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 125 W 31 St, Apt 55B, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

Notice of formation of Eric David LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/21/2026. 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 Eric David: 865 W End Ave, 6C, New York, NY 10025. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Heights Mental Health Counseling PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/16/2026. 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 Anita N. Sung: PO Box 307, New York, NY 10040. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of mackenzie.jpg LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/20/2026. 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: New York Department of State Division of Corporations One Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12231. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of MITA Advisory, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/11/2026. 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 SSNY: 133 East 64th Street, Apt 2B, New York, NY 10065. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Olive Tree Creative LLC, 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 NY Department of State: New York Secretary of State, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Yahweh is Faithful LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/13/26. 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 Yanerlis Marrero: 4 Fordham Hill Oval Apt 1H Bronx, NY 10468. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

WRECKTANGLE LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 04/03/2026. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 50 Riverside Blvd. Apt. 9M, New York, NY 10069. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Neinstein Consulting LLC filed w/ SSNY 2/1/26. Off. in NY Co. Process served to SSNYdesig. as agt. of LLC & mailed to the LLC, 1 Central Park S PH 2011, NY, NY 10019. The reg. agt. is United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave, Ste. 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of New York's Studio Salon LLC , 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 FORMATION OF Just The Top, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/10/2026. Office Location New York County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Just The Top, LLC at 888 7th Avenue 4th Floor, NY, NY 10106. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc. 1 Rockefeller Plaza Suite 1204, NY, NY 10020. The principal business address of the LLC is 888 7th Avenue 4th Floor, NY, NY 10106. Purpose: any lawful activity.

19 EAST 92GP LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/30/26. Latest date to dissolve: 12/31/2080. 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, 80 Varick Street, Suite 1A, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Elevate Support Services, 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 Nina Mathieu: 437 East 12th Street Apt #15 New York, NY. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Alessandra Stanley, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/10/2025. 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 the LLC: 270 Riverside Drive, Apt 12B, New York, NY 10025. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NDL 305 LLC Art of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/01/2025. 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, ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Allen Signature Services, LLC . Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/20/2026. 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 Khadeidra Allen : 121 Saint Nicholas Ave, Apt. 5D, New York, NY 10026. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Cap Studio. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/24/2026. 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 Leyla Ozden: 959 First Ave, 19C. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of FL NYC, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/23/2026. 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 eResidentAgent, Inc: 1 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1204. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Simple Spaces Real Estate LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 10/18/24. Off Loc: New York County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 89 Division St, New York NY 10002. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

WWK Realty LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 07/25/23. Off Loc: New York County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 15 Division St Fl 2, New York NY 10002. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

TriHaus RE, LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/29/2026. 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, 11 N Moore St, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of formation of LA MAISON DE SOHO, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/24/2026. 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 Cohen Edderai LLP: 14 East 4th St., Suite 501, New York, NY 10012.. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

M/WBE bids sought for 885 Myrtle Avenue construction project. A scope meeting will be held on May 12. Contact bidding@taxaceny.com for details.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , SIG CRE 2023 Venture LLC , Plaintiff, vs . Area Columbus LLC , ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on April 3, 2026 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction, assigned room will be posted outside of Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on June 9, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 60 Columbus Circle, Office Unit-A2, New York, NY 10023. 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 1049 and Lot 1242 together with an undivided 1.1634 percent interest in the Common Elements, as well as all personal property of Defendant as identified in that certain Mortgage Consolidation, Modification, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of April 2, 2018, and recorded on April 4, 2018 as CRFN 2018000112982, and excluding any funds held by Plaintiff in any reserve escrow or suspense fund, excluding any funds held by Plaintiff in any cash management account, and excluding any funds held by the court-appointed receiver. Approximate amount of judgment is $35,859,621.49 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850432/2024. Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee Polsinelli PC, Alina Levi, Esq., 600 Third Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10016, Attorneys for Plaintiff

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NEW YORK COUNTY MCLP ASSET COMPANY, INC., Plaintiff against KEVIN C LAU, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 6, 2025, 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 May 19, 2026 at 2:15 PM. Premises known as 200 East 94th Street, Unit 2012, New York, New York 10128. Block 1539 Lot 1516. The Condominium Unit (the "Unit") known as Residential Unit 2012 in the building (the "Building") known as Carnegie Park Condominium ( the "Condominium") and by the street address 200 East 94th Street, New York, New York, Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $755,529.61 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of f iled Judgment Index No 850624/2023. Cash will not be accepted at the sale. 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. Paul Sklar, Esq., Referee File # 2296-004151

Notice of Qualification of EDGE EDGECOMBE OWNER LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/31/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/16/26. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Edge Property Group, LLC, 3 West 57th St., 8th Fl., NY, NY 10019. 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 DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19801. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of GO HUDSON YARDS LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/30/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/25/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 80 Fifth Ave., Ste. 1201, NY, NY 10011. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 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 Halo Software LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 9232025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 1/14/2022. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to FIRSTBASE REGISTERED AGENT INC.: 447 BROADWAY, 2ND FL #187 NEW YORK, NY, 10013. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). Herschler Bldg East, Ste.100 & 101 Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of NH 446 FULTON LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/17/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/20/26. 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 of DE, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF MAXGEN SOLUTIONS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Sec'y State of NY (SSNY) on 3/02/2026. Office Location: New York County. SSNY is designated agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail any process against the LLC to 22 West 83rd Street, #4B, New York, NY 10024. The principal business address of LLC is 22 West 83rd Street, #4B, New York, NY 10024. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Qualification of ERICA KRAKOVITZ PSYD ,PLLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/27/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) formed on 10/27/2025. SSNY designated as agent of Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to ELISSA MULEE: KRAKOVITZ.ERICA@GMAIL. COM. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 4 OAK BRANCH DRIVE, BROOKFIELD, CT, 06804, USA Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of Bebida TCG LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/09/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 4/06/2026. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to CORPORATE SERVICE CENTER, INC.: 300 DELAWARE AVE., STE 210 Wilmington, DE 19801. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 130 West 25th Street Suite 5C, New York, NY 10001 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of HOUSE OF GILLES LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/22/2023. 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 Qualification of Intentional Funds LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/23/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 07/25/2022. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to ZenBusiness Inc.: 41 State Street, Suite 112, Albany, NY 12207. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of NEUBERGER BERMAN LOAN ADVISERS EUROPE II LP Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/19/26. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/26/25. Princ. office of LP: 1290 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10104. NYS fictitious name: NEUBERGER BERMAN LOAN ADVISERS

EUROPE II 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 the Partnership at the princ. office of the LP. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with

SSNY shall mail process to the Partnership at the princ. office of the LP. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of the State of DE, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF DOUBLE LJK, LLC Application for Authority filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/06/26 Office Location New York County. LLC formed in Florida on 3/03/26. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: DOUBLE LJK, LLC at 3920 North Ocean Drive, 15B, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc.1 Rockefeller Plaza1204, NY, NY 10020. Florida address of LLC and principal business address of the LLC is 3920 North Ocean Dr, 15B, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. Certificate of LLC filed with Secy. of State of Florida located at 2661 Executive Center Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Purpose: any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF FEGAN SCOTT LLP.

Notice of Registration filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/23/2026. Office Location New York County. LLP formed in IL on 2/3/2026. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005. Address of the principal office: 305 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10007 . Certificate of LLP filed with IL Secretary of State, 115 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60603. Purpose: Practice of Law.

Notice of Qualification of GUAPO MEDIA, LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 01/29/2026. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to eResidentAgent, Inc: 1 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1204, New York, NY 10020. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE,19901 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of RDM Immigration Services LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/18/2026. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against it to 447 Broadway, 2nd Fl #1525, New York, NY 10013.

Notice of formation of Wensta Design, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/29/2025. 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 BRETTE WINDHAUSEN: 228 East 13th St APT 21. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of OptionsBuddy 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 12/15/2025. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Wyoming Registered Agent: 1621 Central Ave #8720 Cheyenne WY 82001. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). Herschler Bldg East Ste 100 & 101 Cheyenne WY 82002-0020 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of PLG INSURANCE SERVICES LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/31/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/29/26. 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: 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 SUMOMON LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/27/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 8/22/2025. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to SUMOMON LLC: 630 NINTH AVENUE, SUITE 1411, NEW YORK, NY 10036. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 262 CHAPMAN ROAD, SUITE 240, NEWARK, DE 19702 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of EAG PARTNERS SPV LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/17/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/24/26. 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, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of 203 W 90th 2G LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/30/2026. 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 Peta Couzens : 1060 Logan Blvd S, Naples Fl 34116. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF Wishlab LLC Application for Authority filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/10/26. Office Location New York County. LLC formed in California on 4/3/2026. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process OF Wishlab

ty. LLC formed in California on 4/3/2026. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Wishlab LLC at 9255 Sunset Blvd, 805, W. Hollywood, CA 90069. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc. 1 Rockefeller Plz, 1204, NY, NY 10020. CA address of LLC is 9000 Sunset Blvd.,1260, W. Hollywood, CA 90069. The principal business address of the LLC is 9255 Sunset Blvd, 805, W. Hollywood, CA 90069. Certificate of LLC filed withSecy. of State of CA located at 1500 11th St, Sacramento, CA 95814. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of Bring It Back Boutique LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/16/2023. Office location: Schenectady County. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Diane Rositano: dlee123789@gmail.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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Close Rikers czar

Guardia Airport, for renewable efforts after closure. Beyond almost certainly missing the August 2027 deadline, the city also faces the need to reduce the Rikers population by more than 2,000 people-in-custody before the new sites open. However, currently, only 4,160 beds are planned in total among the four borough-based facilities to account for space needed for programming and medical care. According to the Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College, more than 6,500 people were held on average in New York City jails last month, most of them on Rikers Island.

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Department of Correction (DOC) commissioner Stanley Richards is a familiar face for Kaplan — the two worked together on closing Rikers Island long before Mamdani appointed them this year. Richards, who previously headed reentry service provider the Fortune Society, acknowl-

assortment of other stakeholders, particularly on the construction and design side for the borough-based jails.

“There are so many different agencies that are a part of this,” said Kaplan. “Of course, the Department of Design and Construction, the Department of Corrections and Correctional Health Services are all important partners in building the new facilities

effective continuum for pretrial release and mental health support at the community level.”

Former Mayor Eric Adams vaguely floated a “plan B” for the closure plan in his first year, although he never committed to an alternative strategy to fix city jails, even with federal oversight pressuring him from a previous settlement. Deaths mounted on Rikers Island, with at

those from the Angela Davisaffiliated Critical Resistance movement, also oppose the new facilities on more abolitionist grounds. Local opposition also sprang up against the construction in neighborhoods like Chinatown in Manhattan.

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Kaplan has long tackled these concerns dating back to the De Blasio administration, where she worked at the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, including as deputy director of the Close Rikers and Justice Initiatives. She later served as a senior advisor for the Independent Rikers Commission, a City Council-appointed task force chaired by former New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman to chart Rikers’ closure.

“Dana Kaplan has the vision and expertise to help us close Rikers Island, reduce the jail population, and open a borough-based jail system that is smaller, safer, and more humane,” said Mamdani in a statement. “She will lead coordination across agencies to deliver a system that respects the dignity of people in custody and the people who work in these facilities.”

“In this moment, the urgency of appointing the Close Rikers Czar cannot be overstated.”

edged their history in his statement and welcomed a “strong partnership.”

Kaplan also foresees working with the federally appointed Remediation Manager Nicholas Deml, who boasts sweeping authority over the DOC and is broadly tasked with improving city jail conditions. His appointment does not specifically align with the closure plan and could technically remain after Rikers shuts down.

Kaplan’s new role will involve engaging with a grand

Childhood asthma

Continued from page 2

This is usually due to living near polluting power plants or a heavily congested highway, in rental housing with mold and other triggers, and the longstanding effects of redlining and systemically racist housing laws. They also die at a much higher rate. This is especially true in neighborhoods in the South Bronx that were exposed to

a combination of peaker plants (which run during high demand periods), highways, and truck traffic. These resulted in asthma hospitalization rates in the area eight times higher than the national average. Because of epidemic levels of respiratory diseases, especially among Black and Brown children, the area is known as “Asthma Alley.”

and designing the operation. I would add in there also the community providers that run programs on Rikers Island and are part of the plan in terms of now creating new program space for them within the facilities to reduce the jail population.

“I will be working with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, as well as our partners in the courts, the district attorney’s offices, the public defenders’ offices, [and] the different programs that are part of ensuring an

According to city data, asthma-related emergency department visits among children ages five to 17 have declined citywide from 2009 to 2024. However, inequities persist in East and Central Harlem, the South Bronx, and parts of Brooklyn.

“The data shows clearly that childhood asthma disproportionately impacts the Bronx, where rates in several neighborhoods remain alarmingly high — a reminder that historical inequities and

Kaplan also spoke about ensuring the borough-based jails were “good neighbors” and addressing quality-oflife considerations. Most of the construction sites are located nearby or directly next to municipal courthouses to cut down on transporting people from Rikers Island to their court appearances. Just one MTA bus line, the Q100, currently takes visitors directly to the jail complex. Meanwhile, proponents see the borough-based jail plan as the best shot to close down the uniquely deadly Rikers Island and reduce the city’s carceral footprint. The new facilities are designed to provide people in custody, most of whom are awaiting trial, safer and more humane conditions, which include better healthcare, re-entry programming, and support services.

least 47 people dying in or immediately after DOC custody during his tenure. Ultimately, a federal judge ruled for a receivership-like takeover and handed the reins to Deml.

Enlisting Kaplan reaffirms Mamdani’s commitment to the borough-based jail plan, which remains polarizing across the political spectrum. While his former opponent Andrew Cuomo suggested keeping Rikers Island open during last year’s mayoral election, some fellow leftists, like

injustices in healthcare, environmental, and urban planning policies continue to affect the well-being of far too many New Yorkers,” said Dr. Helen Arteaga, deputy mayor for Health and Human Services in a statement.

The MTA, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, will break down the $20 million funding into two major programs: $8.9 million for the Bronx Asthma Program and $11.1 million to expand the

Advocates for the Campaign to Close Rikers have long seen Kaplan as a key ally and welcomed her appointment. “In this moment, the urgency of appointing the Close Rikers Czar cannot be overstated,” they said in a statement. “This is another critical step forward in the effort to shutter the jails on Rikers for good, and we applaud the Mayor for moving this appointment forward. It is essential to have a person at City Hall who will bring the whole-of-government approach to closing Rikers.”

Asthma Case Management Program. The programs aim to offer intensive support for Bronx students with asthma, including having medicine available in-school, at 15 schools.

“By directing resources to the most at-risk communities, we are taking steps to improve children’s health, help parents spend less on asthma treatment, and address harmful policies that have impacted our fellow New Yorkers for too long,” said Arteaga.

Harlem’s Kahlil Gordon wins the Ring Masters Championship

By DERREL JOHNSON

Special to the AmNews

Harlem’s Kahlil Gordon keeps stacking titles.

The 18-year-old Democracy Prep Charter High School senior captured the 2026 Ring Masters Championships (formerly the Golden Gloves) in the 176-pound division on April 10 at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. It follows his title in the 165-pound weight class at the 2026 USA Boxing International Open in Pueblo, Colorado, this past February.

Gordon’s win at the Garden came against Newburgh, New York’s Landen Buie, who beat him in a bout last September.

“I fought him previously at a different boxing event called SBC (Six Borough Championship), and over there I actually lost,” said Gordon. “It was a controversial fight. Everybody was saying I won that fight, so I personally felt like I got robbed that night. So it was definitely a little bit of motiva-

tion I carried with me to the [Ring Masters] fight. I just won. So when I won that and I got my rematch, my hand was raised, it definitely felt great.”

Gordon went back to the lab to make the necessary adjustments

for the rematch with Buie.

“I watched the tape back,” he told the AmNews. “I saw that I was flat-footed, and I saw that my being flat-footed really allowed my opponent to catch me more. So the next fight, I really was on my toes,

moving around, and it worked. My opponent couldn’t really land any punches on me, and I also threw more punches in general.”

Outside of the ring? In addition to finishing his senior year in high school and training five days

a week, Gordon spends his weekends working at Sylvia’s Restaurant, the famous Harlem soul food eatery founded by his late greatgrandmother, where he celebrated his Ring Masters accomplishment.

“It’s a little scary,” he admitted about moving on from high school and entering adulthood. “I’m still young, but I would say these 18 years definitely went by pretty fast. I remember being in middle school and being a freshman in high school. I blinked, and now I am a senior. I feel that as I get older, I definitely have more responsibilities, but I do have more freedom.”

As he approaches graduation, Gordon plans to enroll in a college in the New York City area and continue boxing under the watchful eyes of his parents, Shantasia Johnson and Richard Gordon-Woods.

“I keep a small circle [of family and friends] so the people I do keep around me are people who want to see me do good, and continue motivating me.”

David Benavidez dominates Ramírez in first bout at cruiserweight

By DERREL JOHNSON

Special to the AmNews

Before Saturday night, Mexican-American boxer David Benavidez had won titles at super middleweight (168 pounds) and light heavyweight (175 pounds), mowing down his opponents without taking a loss. This past weekend at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the 29-year-old Phoenix, Arizona, native moved up to cruiserweight and challenged unified champion Gilberto Ramírez, a 34-year-old ring veteran from Mazatlán, Mexico. Adding to the pressure, he was fighting during Cinco de Mayo weekend, a time when some of the greatest Mexican pugilists, such as Julio César Chávez, Oscar De La Hoya, and Canelo Álvarez, have been the headliners on major fight cards. Benavidez embraced upholding the legacy. Led to the ring by former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who nicknamed him the Mexican Monster, Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) dropped Ramírez (48-2, 30 KOs) in the fourth round and put him down for good in the sixth round to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. This placed Benavidez by himself as the first ever to win titles at super

middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight.

“I knew I wasn’t going to be able to overpower him because it was my first time coming up to 200 pounds,” Benavidez said after his victory. “I knew I had to use the gifts that God gave me: speed,

power, movement, punch selection, and IQ. That’s exactly what I did.”

What’s next for Benavidez, who still holds the WBA and WBC light heavyweight titles?

“I’m still champion at 175, I’m champion at 175 and 200, so, if

they want to come get it at 175, let’s get it at 175,” he said. “[Unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry] Bivol is the number one on my hit list. He’s a great competitor, great champion, but I’m a good champion, too. I just want to test myself every single fight.”

This Saturday, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Dominican UFC star Waldo Cortes-Acosta will battle Alexander Volkov in the co-main event at UFC 328. A former minor league pitcher (2010–2012) with the Dominican Summer League Reds (an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds), Cortes-Acosta defeated MMA legend Derrick Lewis earlier this year. The main event features undefeated UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev going up against former titleholder Sean Strickland.

Holding the card in Newark has economic benefits for the city — last June, UFC 316, also held at the Prudential Center, generated approximately $27 million for New Jersey’s most populated locale, which has an estimated 333,500 residents.

“Newark has established itself as a premier venue city for UFC worldwide events, and we are ready to welcome the world to this year’s championship contest,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a statement. “It’s our honor to be able to offer fight fans the full array of Newark’s diverse culture … and we are privileged to serve as a world-class destination for everyone who travels here.”

Howard University’s Kerry Davis speaks about NIL and transfer portal landscape

By TONY PAIGE Special to the AmNews

(Part 1 of a two-part story)

On Friday, March 6, the White House convened a high-level collegiate sports meeting — with no student-athletes attending — to discuss fixing the name, image, and likeness (NIL) issue.

Currently, student-athletes can be handsomely paid to stay or use the transfer portal to switch to another university. “It’s like the wild, wild west with not enough rules, regulations, and guidelines,” said Billy Joe, 85, an HBCU head coach for 34 years.

He may be correct, but one longtime athletic director at a preeminent Historically Black College or University (HBCU) disagrees.

“That’s a very simplistic characterization of the landscape — we have now to call it the wild, wild west,” said Kerry Davis, who has spent 10 years as athletic director at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. He recently added the title of vice president of athletics. Davis oversees 21 sports teams and 500 athletes. This year, both men’s and women’s basketball teams made it to the NCAA tournament. The men’s program is doing so well that John Wall, former five-time NBA All-Star

interchange and interweave education? At the end of the day, we’re educational institutions. We have to figure out how to operate.”

With that in mind, can Davis envision the day when a student-athlete uses the transfer portal and captures four national championships at four different schools?

“It’s certainly possible,” Davis said. Would NIL money keep them in school instead of transferring? “No, I think it’s just the opposite. Because of the transfer portal, it behooves many of the students to basically become free agents every year.”

job out of college was working with civil rights activist Vernon Jordan, a former Howard Bison.

The NIL/transfer dilemma Which brings him back to the NIL/transfer portal dilemma. Makes sense for student-athletes to stay where they are, right?

“It’s keeping them in school longer because oftentimes, they can make money by competing at the college level,” said Davis.

with the Washington Wizards, just joined the Bison as president of basketball operations.

Three missions collide

“What we have here is the collision of three different missions,”

Davis said. “How do you compensate athletes fairly for their

contribution to the entire overall ecosystem of college athletics?

“The second competing factor is the transfer portal. The autonomy that students now have to move every year to become quote, unquote, free agents every year has fundamentally changed.

“The third thing is, how do we

Basketball great DeLisha Milton-Jones to receive another high honor

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Throughout her professional playing career, DeLisha MiltonJones always put the team first. Her commitment to winning and pursuit of excellence brought two Olympic gold medals (2000 and 2008), two World Championships (1998 and 2002), two WNBA titles (2001 and 2002) and multiple international championships, including EuroLeague. At the end of her WNBA career in 2015, she had played in more games (499) than any other WNBA player. In the following decade, only three players — Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and DeWanna Bonner — surpassed that number.

Despite her many successes, the accolades had been slow to come. The tide turned in 2022, when she was inducted into the

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

This summer, the Los Angeles Sparks, the team for which she played 11 seasons, including the two WNBA Championships, will officially retire her #8 jersey.

“This means everything to me,” said Milton-Jones, now in her seventh season as head coach at Old Dominion University, a Division I institution in Virginia.

“It’s the best salve you can put on those broken areas of my heart.

… Now that it’s finally here, the healing can take place and the celebrating can take place.”

Through all the hard work and the sacrifices, she was committed to growing the game and the desire to be proud of the legacy she left. Thrilled to play in the WNBA, she also played overseas every off-season so she could earn money for her future. After the hall of fame honor, she ad-

mitted to herself that she wanted recognition for her outstanding career with the Sparks.

“I’ve never been the person to toot my own horn, but at this moment, I can stand in front of anyone as a grown woman very proud of my work, and I know there’s a tremendous amount of integrity behind it,” said Milton-Jones. “Now that it is here, I’m proud and honored.”

A college coach since 2016, Milton-Jones is now able to share with the student-athletes what those early years of the WNBA were like and try to instill in them that kind of passion for basketball. “You knew that you were doing something bigger than you, and you were fighting for its longevity,” she said. “I help my players be aware of what moment they’re in … be present and realize, ‘Something cool is happening,’ just like I did.”

Davis has seen the sports landscape from all angles. He played high school basketball at Cardinal Hayes in the Bronx and graduated from Dartmouth University with a bachelor’s degree in political science while playing basketball for two years. Davis got his law degree from Cornell University and was a TV executive at HBO Sports, creating big-time fights (Lewis vs. Tyson) and documentaries (“Hard Knocks”) for the network. His work at HBO led him to be cited as one of the most influential minorities in sports by Sports Illustrated and Black Enterprise magazines. If that’s not enough, Davis’s first

Davis has done his work: He has negotiated deals with AT&T, Rocket Mortgage, and Nissan for Howard. He also partnered with the Jordan Brand of merchandise and apparel for the football and basketball programs.

His job is not easy as bigger schools look to pick off talent. This also makes his job more complicated.

“We don’t simply want to be a development program for bigger schools,” he explained. “That’s not our mission right now. “I want our athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness. That’s incredibly fair where it reaches a point where we can’t afford them and they have to move on.

“That’s not great for us, but we understand that if somebody becomes unaffordable, that means we’ve done a great job.”

Columbia Athletics deepens its commitment to Team IMPACT

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

Over the past few years, Columbia University Athletics has welcomed more than 15 children through Team IMPACT, a national organization that connects children facing serious illness or disability with college athletic teams. This association recently deepened to an official partnership, celebrated with Team IMPACT Day last Saturday when the Columbia softball team hosted Harvard. Three children currently matched with Columbia teams (women’s swimming, women’s soccer, and track and field) threw out the first ball.

Columbia senior swim team member Lindsay Orringer became involved with Team IMPACT her sophomore year, joining a leadership group as the team began steps to get a match. She had experience in high school working with special needs kids, so this was of interest to her. The team’s match, Zoe Marshalleck, is actually listed on the team roster.

“We’ve gotten to work with Zoe and her family pretty much

every week, and it’s been great to get to know them,” said Orringer, who participated in Team IMPACT’s fellow training in 2024. “As a fellow, not only are

you working with your match, but you’re trying to foster other matches on other teams. You’re doing medical outreach in your community to get more aware -

ness about the organization.”

Orringer loves that a Team IMPACT match has a sustained relationship. “It’s typically a two-year commitment that a

team makes to the kid and their family, and they’re fully included in every team activity,” said Orringer. “At every home meet when they announce our names, Zoe walks out with us.” Zoe has attended weekly practices with the team every Sunday, and she loves to swim. The bond has been so strong that she’s actually been with the team for three years. Although non-verbal, the swim team is able to communicate with her. Orringer graduates this spring and will start a master’s in social work program at University of Michigan this fall.

“A lot of head coaches have approached us about wanting matches,” said Orringer. Through the expanded partnership, the goal is to match at least 80% of Columbia varsity sports teams with children through Team IMPACT. “At the softball game, the coach approached us.”

Orringer said Saturday’s softball game was a great experience. “The kids got to keep these softballs that have the Columbia logo,” she said. “They were really excited about getting to throw out the first pitch.”

LIU rugby players use sports as a vehicle to future legal careers

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

The women’s rugby team at Long Island University (LIU) is just seven years old, but it has attracted tenacious and determined players. This season wrapped at the end of April, but the student-athletes will be preparing for next season over the summer. The LIU Sharks require considerable skill as they play both rugby 15s in the fall and 7s in the spring.

Flanker Mani Boyd started playing rugby — a sport akin to tackle football — at age nine. A sought-after recruit, she knew she wanted to play in college.

“I realized the purpose that I had within the sport,” said Boyd, who grew up in Washington, D.C. “I was one of the few Black girls that played rugby in the D.C. area — it’s heavily a private school sport.

… Representation is a big thing for me. I want to make the sport bigger. I coach over the summer, teenage boys and girls. I want to see the sport grow, not only for

myself but for those around me.”

Wing Anaise Novembre, who grew up on Long Island, came to rugby in a more circuitous

manner. After attending Nassau Community College fall semester of her freshman year, she came to LIU seeking a more complete col-

lege experience. Having played basketball and lacrosse in high school, she hadn’t planned on being a collegiate student-athlete.

“My life was sports growing up; it motivated every aspect of my life,” Novembre said. “At LIU, I pursued the major of political science wanting to go into law. I had to build a certain type of experience when it comes to discipline. … A friend encouraged me to join the rugby team. I took it as a sign of opportunity. As a walkon, I did not think I would be on the field getting tackled, but it shifted and changed my life.”

Both student-athletes are juniors. Boyd, a finance major who is also on LIU’s flag football team, also plans on attending law school. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she will remain at LIU for one more year to earn a master’s degree.

“My goal is definitely to go as far with rugby as I can,” said Boyd, who is pursuing playing with USA Rugby as well as professionally. “I’ve always had the goal to go to law school and become a corporate lawyer. … I want to go to Georgetown Law; that is my goal. I’ve stayed very structured and maintained a 4.0 GPA.”

The Knicks try to maintain peak performance in the East semifinals

By JAIME C. HARRIS

AmNews Sports Editor

After the Knicks’ 137-98 demolition of the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night at Madison Square Garden in game one of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals pairing, the Knicks entered game two at the Garden on Wednesday night as the betting favorite to represent the East in the NBA Finals.

Sports gaming companies putting the No. 3 seed Knicks above the No. 7 seed 76ers, No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons, and No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers was a designation based on their play in the opening round versus the No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks and Monday’s beatdown of the 76ers. The Knicks dismissed the Hawks four games to two, and won games five and six by 126-97 and 140-89. Their 39-point victory over the 76ers made the Knicks the only team in NBA history to win three straight postseason games by at least 25 points. They are peaking at the right time

but must maintain it to continue advancing. The elevated performance of starting guard/forward Mikal Bridges bodes well for the Knicks prospects of getting past the 76ers and beyond. Bridges, who has not been a high-output scorer since being acquired by the Knicks from the Nets in June 2024 for a package that included five first-round picks obtained by the Nets, netted 17 versus the 76ers in game one, a reminder of his capabilities. In the regular season, Bridges was fourth on the team in scoring at 14.4 points per game. His career high was 20.1 in the 2022-23 season playing for the Phoenix Suns before being traded to the Nets in the Kevin Durant deal.

The fans’ expectations of Bridges have arguably been too lofty as they attach them to the value of five firstrounders the Knicks parted with for him, but for the team to attain their goal of winning a championship, Bridges’ role on both ends of the court is critically important. Particularly on offense, it is incumbent on Knicks’ head coach Mike Brown

and point guard Jalen Brunson to get him into spots in the halfcourt where he can be most effective.

With the Knicks now running much of the offense through center Karl-Anthony Towns, Bridges seemingly is more assertive and assured. Collectively, in their three prior outings heading before last night (Wednesday), the Knicks averaged 134 points per game.

“It’s a lot of fun when you have concepts on either end of the floor and the guys are trying to embrace those concepts at the highest level and when they do it doesn’t really matter what you call or who you initiates the action because guys are trying to play the right way and these guys are pros…” said Brown after game one. Nick Nurse, the 76ers head coach, must counter with a scheme to slow down the Knicks or it will be a short series.

“Defensively, we just seemed like we were chasing everything,” assessed Nurse. “They were obviously picking us apart. Moving a lot better.”

Targeted initiatives increase the number of Black MLB players

By JAIME C. HARRIS

AmNews Sports Editor

A new generation of African Americans is gradually returning to the game that was once a staple of Black communities across the United States.

Noteable African American historian Gerald Early, expressing the profound place of baseball in this country’s culture, has said, “I think there are only three things America will be known for 2,000 years from now…the Constitution, jazz music, and baseball.”

The percentage of Black players on Major League Baseball (MLB) active and inactive lists on Opening Day (March 25) this season was 6.8%. The number comprised 64 players. That’s an increase from 6.2% last season and 6% in 2024. Over the past two decades, there has been a targeted focus by MLB and other baseball organizations on creating and developing programs that are designed to grow the interests and participation of Black youth in the sport. Negro

Leagues Family Alliance, The Players Alliance, and the MLB Youth Academy among them, along with individuals including Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene, and Phil-

adelphia Phillies rookie outfielder Justin Crawford, son of former MLB All-Star Carl Crawford.

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) ventures have also been integral to the upward trend of engagement in baseball

among Black players and fans. According to the website Statista, African Americans make up 8.2% of the MLB fan base. While still a relatively minuscule demographic representation, it is rising.

This past weekend, the inaugural Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic, hosted by Black Baseball Media — a company specializing in baseball marketing and promotional services — was held at the iconic Wrigley Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs.

The three-game weekend series featured Prairie View A&M and Alabama A&M, two HBCUs that are members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field, won by Alabama A&M 10-7 — Prairie View took two out of three — was the centerpiece of a weeklong celebration of HBCU culture and exposure of the deep legacy of African Americans in the sport. There was palpable symmetry and intentionality to the Classic

being held on May 2 as it marked 106 years to the day that the firstever Negro Leagues game was played with a team from Chicago being a part of the groundbreaking moment.

The Indianapolis ABCs and Chicago American Giants took the field at Washington Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, to usher in one of the most indelible and consequential periods in American history as some of baseballs all-time greats, a list that includes Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Larry Doby, and Satchel Paige began their professional careers in the Negro Leagues. Not only were Negro Leagues players seminal athletic figures, but civil rights advocates, and social justice trailblazers. Insight that was imparted at the Classic.