New York Amsterdam News September 10, 2026 -September 16, 2026

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Vol. 117 No. 37 | September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

©2026 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City

PUTTING ON NEW WINGS HOW CAPT. NIA GILLIAM TURNED TRAUMA OF SEPT. 11 TO INSPIRATION (See story on page 6)

See archival pages from AmNews Sept. 11, 2001, coverage on pages 26-28

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Despite a claim of diversity, New York City schools have statistically been one of the most racially segregated systems in the nation. With that information, Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels laid out his vision to make educational institutions “truly integrated” going into the new school year. “I have three main priorities for New York City public schools. I want to make sure schools are safe. I want to make sure they’re academically rigorous, and I want to make sure they’re truly integrated,” said Samuels at the New York Law School’s 204th City Law Breakfast in Manhattan on Sept. 2. “Those priorities, I didn’t arrive by just my personal experience. It’s really taking a look at and listening to so many families around the city.” The Jamaican-born Samuels is a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience. He started as a teacher in the Bronx and was previously a superintendent in Brooklyn’s District 13 and Manhattan’s District 3. As superintendent, Samuels led a controversial yet successful school merger to foster racial and socioeconomic diversity. He also replaced some traditional “Gifted

and Talented” programs with the International Baccalaureate (IB) model, aiming for schoolwide enrichment rather than segregated tracks. As chancellor, he said he is proud to lay out a plan that speaks directly to the issue of race and class segregation in city schools, not to mention the persisting language barriers in some cases. He’s intentional about using the word “integration” to incorporate structural impediments, like housing and affordability, that disproportionately impact the city’s Black and Brown families. “We’ve seen…the number of Black families who moved out of the city, who don’t necessarily feel that they have a place in terms of affordability, and that has impacts on our schools,” said Samuels, “and having the conversation about that, I think, is really important.” Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels talks There are about 30,000 kids in schools that about integrating schools at the New York are “underenrolled” and “pretty segregated,” Law School’s breakfast in Manhattan on which are a priority to address, Samuels said. Wednesday, September 2, 2026. (Ariama C. “The reason it’s important is because we Long photo) live in a polarized society. If the first time our kids are connecting with someone across dif- where current events often lead to bias in ferences is when they end up in a dorm room schools and in our city — they need to be able or when they end up in a job, we would have to connect across differences every day.” failed our students,” said Samuels. “They need The first step was to launch five school to be able to — especially in an environment See NYC SCHOOLS on page 36

Can Bronx school teacher Andre Easton take his crusade against poverty from the classroom to Congress? By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff Independent House candidate Andre Easton refuses to call the Bronx’s NY-15 “the poorest congressional district” in America. To him, it’s the most exploited. “It’s important that we don’t speak about the people in the Bronx as though they themselves are victims of their own moral individual failings,” said Easton , 39. “The district isn’t poor in the sense that the people are poor. It is made poor by the policy choices that continue to maintain the wages at the level that they are, that continue to maintain the healthcare system in the way that it operates. … We have to be very clear about how we got to where we are.” Easton is very clear about how working as an educator led him to getting onto this upcoming election’s ballot for the NY-15 congressional seat under the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) banner. He hails from the Bronx as a lifelong resident and the son of Jamaican immigrants. Early on, he studied psychology at Delaware State University after graduating from Mount Saint Michael Academy. After finishing his degree at the HBCU, Easton returned to the Bronx and started working in after-school programs. Superstorm Sandy coincided with his start as a public school teacher in 2012. There, he witnessed his students facing issues stemming from the “economic and material con-

said Easton. “But consistently, year after year, my students would graduate, and I would see them re-enter the same conditions and be caught up in so much of the failings of society under capitalism, whether it’s crime or black market economy, and I would watch their lives and their potential just be squandered.” These experiences spurred Easton’s PSL membership. His own studies featuring the likes of Claudia Jones and Ella Baker connected capitalism and its profit motives to poverty, homelessness, and negative health outcomes in Black and Brown communities, further affirming his socialist beliefs. He became convinced socialism, not a reformed or more “ethical” capitalism, was the solution. So when PSL asked him to run for office, Easton agreed after consulting his wife. He now embarks on a long-shot grassroots campaign. But Easton’s desire for a better future in the Bronx will even the odds. Recently, he secured an endorsement from former councilwoman and fellow socialist NY-15 independent candidate Andre Easton Kristin Richardson Jordan. and his child. (Photo courtesy of Andre “Andre, in particular, would be a bold Easton’s campaign) Black liberation voice, and his position ditions that they were existing in.” Even in as a third-party candidate and also as a high school, they were not spared the reali- Black leftist would shake up the estabties of housing instability and unequal access lishment in the best way,’ said Richardto food and healthcare. Easton leveraged the son Jordan. “I also think there would be classroom towards their development and a real emphasis on people-centered and a quality education. But there was only so people-powered politics, which is somemuch a lone teacher could do. thing I truly believe in. Andre is running a “I felt that that work was and is important,” See ANDRE EASTON on page 36

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 3

Retired professor fights alleged deed theft of Harlem brownstone but supporters say City Hall not helping By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff and JASON PONTEROTTO Special to the AmNews

Patricia Gary spent her life as an educator and independent Egyptologist. She lived comfortably in a landmarked brownstone on 131st Street that she purchased in 1995. But on Aug. 29, she was forced to say goodbye to it as volunteers came out to help Gary, 76, pack up her clothes, furniture, and decades of books and scholarship on Ancient Egypt. But she was at least thankful for the help. “It lets me know that God is hearing my prayer,” Gary, a retired professor of speech and theater at John Jay School of Criminal Justice, told the Amsterdam News, describing her response to the people who came out to help her. “Yes, I am so touched by people who don’t even know me who want to help me,” Gary said of the community members and Stop Deed Theft organizers who showed up. “I promise you, I promise you I will pay it forward.” She purchased the brownstone from a woman who lived across the street for $80,000 and later obtained a HUD 203(k) rehabilitation loan, bringing the mortgage to nearly $260,000. By 2001, Gary said, she was already “fighting off predators” tied to her mortgage. She says she did not understand why foreclosure threats kept arriving, even though she says her taxes and

Patricia Gary is forced out of her Harlem brownstone in an action she says was deed theft. (Jason Ponterott)

mortgage payments were being paid. A 2015 fire also cut into her rental income from the building while she was paying for her mother’s home health care services in South Carolina. “It’s just been an awful, awful time for me, and especially these last few days,” Gary shared. She said she has been suffering through years of legal and financial problems, and what she describes as intimidation inside the house. Gary is fighting eviction now because, at some point, foreclosure papers were supposedly served to her stepfather, even though she says he had been dead for 10

years, had lived in South Carolina, and had no connection to her Harlem home. “What happened was that Francis Kahn, who is the judge here in Manhattan, said he allowed my house to be wrongly foreclosed. [He’s] saying that they served my stepfather at a time when he had been dead for 10 years, and we have the death certificate, and I have never been served,” Gary said. Evangeline Byars, a lead organizer with the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft, said that the alleged service on Gary’s stepfather was fraudulent and Gary’s earlier attorney never raised this point in the right court and as a result, she missed the legal window

to contest the eviction. Byars said Gary now needs lawyers willing to go to the Supreme Court to challenge the title to her property and try to get her back into the home. “She needs justice in Supreme Court to re-establish ownership,” Byars said. Property records reviewed by the AmNews now show a company called 166 Herzl LLC as the property owner for 119 West 131 Street. AmNews has requested comment from 166 Herzl LLC about how they acquired the property, their position on Gary’s allegations, and what happened during the eviction and removal of her belongings but they have not responded. Within two days of receiving an eviction notice, Gary says movers showed up cutting her locks. She says they threw away several of her cherished belongings and even physically pushed her at one point. “They did push me down one day onto the floor, and Carol [Ceballos, owner of Tio’s Bistro] caught me before I hurt myself badly,” Gary said. She says Ceballos has provided much support. In one video posted on Stop Deed Theft’s Instagram page on July 28, officers moved Gary’s belongings out of the home, with one officer, City Marshal David Smith, telling Ms. Gary, “You don’t live here anymore.” Gary remains distraught over what she describes as cherished belongings she has had for 40 years, including research and her computer, having been either thrown away or temporarily seized. “I didn’t have an opportunity to say this is See HARLEM on page 25

Why Candace Niles says she’s better positioned to represent NY-13 in Congress By JASON PONTEROTTO Special to the AmNews The June Democratic primary win for Democratic Socialist candidate Daraliza Avila Chevalier over incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat seemed conclusive, with the activist heavily favored over Republican Manual “Jomo” Williams in the November vote — but a candidate from Harlem says that she can better represent the people of the 13th U.S. Congressional District. Candace Niles, 35, a lifelong Harlem resident, contends that she is an alternative to Chevalier who more accurately reflects the voice of forgotten Harlemites. She is prioritizing the gentrification and displacement of her community, which she has witnessed over the years and has deeply troubled her. “You feel like, to a degree, we’re being wiped out, slowly but surely,” Niles said. “If we’re not being pushed out by lack of affordability, we’re being pushed out because people are stealing our property.” Niles alleges she is a victim of deed theft involving her family home in Central Harlem and has been dealing with the issue since 2022.

She was registered to run as a Democrat last December, but switched to an independent ticket this past spring after noticing the primary became overcrowded and experiencing what she claims was “gatekeeping” with local party leaders. She is now running as part of the Voice Party. Niles said Chevalier and the Democratic Socialists largely represent “parachute candidates,” who are not from the community and choose to focus on popular national topics, as opposed to the everyday issues of Harlem residents. “I’m not a candidate that was chosen,” Niles said. “I’m running because I care. I’m running because I’m a true resident of this community.” Niles graduated from the local Touro College in June to become a paralegal. She initially attended John Jay College, but left to raise her daughter with her husband and care for her parents and ailing grandmother. She was inspired to return to school to pursue her love of law after dealing with her ongoing alleged deed theft situation. Her upbringing in Harlem in the early 1990s is familiar to many Harlemites. She

remembers gems like gatherings at Howard Bennett and Rucker Parks, street art murals, and mom-and-pop stores that have since been replaced with large brands. Gentrification has changed that, she said. “It hurts sometimes because it doesn’t look like the Harlem I grew up with,” Niles said. “Harlem wasn’t perfect, but there was always that beauty about Harlem.” If elected, Niles said she intends to address affordability and displacement, insisting that “truly” affordable housing can be attained through former New York State Rep. Charles Barron’s blueprint of only allowing developers who offer affordable rates. This would require action from the city councilmember. “If you make these developers build according to the actual AMI (area median income) rather than what is set by HUD, you can put a stop to this,” Niles said. “If they don’t agree to the terms, [they are] not allowed to build. … It needs to be true to what people are making.” Other initiatives Niles supports include more tenant protections, paid apprenticeships for young adults, and addressing See NILES on page 16

Candace Niles is running for NY-13 U.S. House district, challenging for current representative Adriano Espaillat's seat. She has been in legal fight to protect her home in case that draws similar patterns to many others related to deed theft. (Photo courtesy of Candace Niles)

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

National Police chief fired amid controversy in aftermath of child’s shooting in a small Mississippi city By SOPHIE BATES Associated Press The police chief of a northern Mississippi city where 1-year-old Black child Kohen Wiley was shot and killed by police responding to a shoplifting call was fired Tuesday amid a new controversy. Senatobia Police Chief Harold Vanderford submitted his resignation the same day, but the city’s board of aldermen declined to acknowledge it and instead voted unanimously to fire the chief, according to the city clerk, who did not elaborate on their reasons. The firing followed reporting by The New York Times, Mississippi Today and Verite News last month that alleged Vanderford used racist slurs in private text conversations with a colleague. It also comes amid the aftermath of the child’s shooting and other incidents. The toddler Wiley was fatally shot and another woman was wounded June 14 after a Senatobia police officer fired into a vehicle while investigating a shoplifting call at a Walmart. The boy’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, denied that she or a friend accompanying her had stolen anything, and no charges have been filed against them. The officer who shot Wiley and the woman driving the car the child was in has been placed on administrative leave while the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation looks into the shooting. The child’s death stirs anger in the small Mississippi city Kohen Wiley was Black, as is his mother. The death ignited anger in a small city where tensions between Black residents and the police have boiled over in recent years. Senatobia, with a population of more than 8,000, is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Memphis. “I believe the Board has a responsibility to protect the integrity and trust of the Senatobia Police Department,” Alderman Demetrius Garrett wrote in a Facebook post. “I still believe in unity. But unity does not mean ignoring serious issues; it means standing together for what is right.” The city had previously addressed the reporting about Vanderford’s texts, saying in a statement on Aug. 25 that he had appeared before the mayor and board to answer questions and that he would continue to serve as police chief.

(L to R) Kohen Wiley; former Senatobia, Miss., police chief Harold Vanderford. (GoFundMe; Senatobia Police Department photo)

“The racist language that cost Chief Vanderford his job is exactly why this family cannot simply be told to trust the process. Give this family the facts they have been owed since the day Kohen died.” —National civil rights attorney Ben Crump in a statement calling for the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations to release body-camera footage of the shooting

the police department. “We need answers about departmental leadership, internal culture, the handling of complaints and misconduct, financial practices, and whether the Board has been receiving the information necessary to provide proper oversight,” McConnell said in a statement. “Our citizens deserve a police A Senatobia alderman calls for an inde- department they can trust.” pendent investigation National civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Senatobia Alderman Chris McConnell representing Kohen Wiley’s family, called called for an independent investigation of the chief’s firing the “right decision.”

“The racist language that cost Chief Vanderford his job is exactly why this family cannot simply be told to trust the process,” Crump said in a statement calling for the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations to release body-camera footage of the shooting. “Give this family the facts they have been owed since the day Kohen died.” The Senatobia Police Department declined to comment on the firing, and Vanderford could not be immediately located for a response Wednesday.

Kohen Wiley’s shooting death was one controversy among others Vanderford was appointed police chief on Sept. 29, 2025, after the board of aldermen declined to reappoint the previous chief, Richard Chandler, in July of that year. Chandler led the police department through several controversies. They included the 2023 arrest of a 10-year-old Black boy for urinating in public and an incident in which an officer threatened a woman with a taser and pulled her from her car during a dispute over a handicapped parking space outside the same Walmart where the child was shot. “You removed Richard Chandler,” said Senatobia community activist Patrick Lumumba. “But you did not remove the culture of racism, and that’s what Vanderford harbors.” Following the child’s death, Lumumba formed the Senatobia Committee for Accountability and Transparency, a community watchdog group that is demanding answers about the June shooting and advocating for better policing. He voiced confidence in Lt. Angelica Maze, who will serve as the department’s interim police chief, calling her a “good person.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 5

How author LaToya Thompson turned her journal entries into inspirational healing books By NAFISSATOU YATTASSAYE Special to the AmNews

For many everyday people, writing serves as a way to vent after a long day and take notes. For Mount Vernon resident and licensed esthetician LaToya Thompson, it became an outlet to process trauma, abandonment, and the complex journey of navigating new blessings. Now, her powerful memoirs serve a purpose: to be a voice for hurting children, young mothers, and anyone striving to heal wounds through her books. Born and raised in Jamaica, she had a childhood shaped by hardship. Without parents, she was raised by a woman she affectionately calls her grandmother. “My time growing up in Jamaica was difficult,” Thompson, 43, recalled during a recent interview. “My parents were too young to take care of a child. I met my father at five years old, and my mom and I still have an estranged relationship. And that’s where I began journaling. I turned my journals into writing.” At age 13, Thompson immigrated to the United States and grew up in the middle of the Bronx. The transition brought a wave of cultural and emotional adjustments, from adapting to the “fast-paced conversation and slang” of New York teenagers to her

heavy Jamaican Patois accent. With home instability and no guidance –– a recurring theme in Thompson’s life –– her journey throughout school wasn’t always easy. She attended Harry S Truman High School and Christopher Columbus High School, but was expelled. She eventually graduated from Evander High School. After choosing not to attend college and with a passion for beauty and wellness, Thompson decided to go the esthetician route and get her license. Throughout her journey, Thompson kept her journal by her side. “Coming to America was not just changing countries; it was learning a new way of living while still trying to survive emotionally,” she shared. “Journaling stayed with me because it was one of the main ways I processed what I was going through.” Over time, she realized her personal entries held a deeper message that could be shared, offering common experiences alongside guidance for others. Her debut book, “Unchosen,” details her childhood from birth to age 13, exploring her journey with abandonment and her desire for stability, protection, and love. Her second book, “Unprotected,” picks up from ages 13 through 21, diving deeper into her experience as an immigrant child, foster care, relationships, violence, early

Author LaToya Thompson. (Photo Credit from LaToya Thompson)

Black

New Yorker

motherhood, and the fight to survive before learning how to heal. Together, the two books trace her path toward healing. See BNY on page 25

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Taking off in a new direction:

Capt. Nia Gilliam shows path from 9/11 tragedy to inspiration By JIMMIE BRIGGS Special to the AmNews

Taking off in a new direction: Capt. Nia Gilliam shows path from 9/11 tragedy to inspiration The morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Nia Gilliam was a 25-year-old copilot on a commercial flight awaiting an early morning takeoff at Newark Liberty International Airport en route to Boston’s Logan International Airport. But by the time she was set to take to the air, two airplanes — American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 had struck the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. Gilliam’s plane sat on the tarmac at Newark, where she could see what was transpiring just 13 miles away. Because it was already on the runway, the flight was allowed to leave. The terrorists that day did not choose her plane. Another aircraft, United Airlines Flight 93, which had also left the same airport en route to San Francisco, had also been hijacked; passengers fought back against their attackers, and the plane crashed near Shanksville, Pa. Meanwhile, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon’s west wall. Before the morning was over, the Twin Towers had collapsed, and a total of nearly 3,000 would be dead. In Gilliam’s book, “Cleared for Takeoff: A Pilot’s Memoir of Purpose and Resilience After 9/11” (Storehouse Voices), which she released last month, Gilliam, 50, describes not only the events of that fateful day, but more importantly, the direction she took after experiencing one of the most horrific days in the nation’s history. “It took me a while to get to the point where I would speak of [9/11],” she said in an interview with the Amsterdam News. “The very first time I did talk was part of a documentary, The Women’s List. I was asked the question, ‘ Was there ever a time that you were scared?’ I just told my truth ‘cause prior to it’s just not something I would talk about. After I did the documentary, I’ve been able to share my story of 9/11 which has been very personal and traumatic.” After the terrorist attacks and having to be in the air amidst the uncertainty and fear of that day and the many that followed, Gil-

liam refused to fly on Sept. 11 for many years, and not to Boston at all. She did her schedule every month and put in a request for that particular time off. It worked for a while, but then one day it didn’t, and Gilliam found herself working on Sept. 11. Her mother stepped in, encouraging her to not only seek professional counseling, but also consider joining a writing group as a form of personal repair to express the tightly held emotional trauma she carried, while confronting breast cancer in her 40s and raising her children while still working for the airline. “When I was in the class, I shared just a portion of my story, and it really moved everyone in the room, including my instructor,” she notes. “They all reacted with tears, but when the teacher suggested I consider publishing, that was the initial spark. I didn’t feel like it was a story I wanted to share with the world, but I evolved as an individual, as a woman. After receiving my [cancer] diagnosis, I was off work for two years, so I just had to [write]. If I died, so did my story.”

Capt. Nia Gilliam (Penguin Random House)

(Photo courtesy of Capt. Nia Gilliam)

A path into the skies For Gilliam, now 50, that story was part of a journey from dreaming of being a pilot to becoming one of the youngest Black women to sit in a captain’s chair to her support of other Black women who aspire to do the same. Growing up in the shadow of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Gilliam was captivated by flight at an early age, beginning her journey at the age of 10. It was the story of Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman who inspired her to pursue becoming a professional. Coleman was the first Black and Native American woman to receive a professional pilot’s license in 1921, later dying in a plane accident. It was Gilliam’s mother who pushed her to learn more about Coleman at local libraries in the absence of visible Black female pilots in her childhood. Gilliam would eventually receive her bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, becoming a flight instructor and then a traffic patrol pilot for radio news journalists. It was through fellowship with See story on next page

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 7

(Photos courtesy of Capt. Nia Gilliam) Continued from previous page

other Black and woman pilots, flight attendants, and organizations such as Women in Aviation International and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals that Gilliam was able to reach the status of full captain for a major airline, which has been her professional home for more than 20 years. “When I started in the early 90s, it was rare to see a Black woman in the cockpit, and it took a lot of effort just to meet those working in the field,” Gilliam said. “It’s wonderful that we’ve grown in numbers and I attribute that a lot to just representation and access to information. We still have a long way to go, but we’ll get there.” A decade ago, Gilliam co-founded the nonprofit Sisters of the Skies with former U.S. Coast Guard pilot Angel Hughes. The organization supports Black women pilots, who are less than one percent of all pilots. It has awarded more than $1 million in scholarship money for training programs and flight schools and offered general coaching for Black girls across the country. A glimpse back It has only been in the past two years that Gilliam has been able to travel to New York

City, thanks to a lot of work with her therapist and personal writing. She has traveled a sometimes-arduous journey in the years since the 9/11 attacks occurred, as the single mother of now-adult children, surviving breast cancer, and becoming one of a small, but growing number of Black woman pilots in the United States. In 2024, she made it back to New York and the World Trade Center memorial and joined a guided tour. But the emotions still carry a weight. “It was very good for me to have that experience,” she recalls. “They have an exhibit hall there with a timeline of the events of that day. The docent said to us, ‘if you need to leave, it’s okay because it’s very heavy in there.’ I did not get very far, and he led me straight to the door. I was trying to breathe, to catch my breath.” But she’s back in the cockpit again as an airline captain, flying for United Airlines. She will be returning to the 9/11 memorial with her daughter this year and intends to make it through the entire space. “Out of respect for those who lost their lives, I want to pay tribute.” Her new book is about more than her experience on 9/11 but cementing a lifelong legacy of mentorship, parenting, and being a role model that inspires other young Black girls and women to look to the skies

for a career path. “Part of my story, the non-9/11 portion, has always been celebrated in the community just because it’s rare to see a Black woman in the position that I’m in as a pilot and as a captain,” she explains. “I’ve done work in the community, and my story has been celebrated, but in my uniform, I get lots of positive affirmation.” Right now, Gilliam is at cruising altitude and has no plans to land anytime soon. She likes inspiring others, and that includes her son, Thaddeus, who is now a corporate pilot himself.

“It would be wonderful to be retired, but I do love to fly; it’s a place of peace for me,” she said, laughing. “[9/11] was so unpeaceful, you know. I’ve done a lot as an ambassador, as a mentor, but the highlight of my career is not just that I became a captain or wrote a wonderful book that inspired others, but that I get to fly with my son.” “For me that is a full circle moment for my whole purpose, to have that opportunity to fly with him,” she continued. “ [9/11] almost took away that peace, that solitude I feel when I fly, but I’ll keep on flying planes and being purposeful in my life.”

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

A day of terror ‘forever etched in my memory’

Former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields remembers 9/11 and the work to rebuild

Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields (far right) hosts tour of city leaders from across the nation at World Trade Center site in 2002, several months after World Trade Center attacks. (Bebeto Matthews/AP photo)

By C. VIRGINIA FIELDS Primary Day in New York was set for September 11, 2001. The focus was going to be on people casting ballots for the mayor and several City Council seats on what was a clear, warm day. I began that morning on West 135th Street at the Frederick E. Samuel Democratic Club, checking election operations. Shortly before 9 a.m., staff member Yasmin Hurston called to report that a plane had struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Community Liaison Sheri Taft and I crossed the street to Ruthie’s restaurant in Harlem before heading to my office downtown at 1 Centre Street. When I asked the owner to turn on the television, a second plane had hit the South Tower. That was when I knew this was no accident. I called my downtown office and the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Harlem State Office Building; both were evacuating, and everyone was safe, but my executive assistant, Yohanna Hayes, was still unaccounted for after PATH service was disrupted. Hours later, my legal counsel Denise Outram and I found her near 46th Street and 8th Avenue. She needed to get home to New Jersey, but with transit suspended, she stayed at my home for several nights. Cellphones had failed and landlines were

functioning intermittently, but I eventually reached a sister in Maryland and asked her to tell our family that I was safe. By then, people were filling the streets and turning to me as borough president for answers. Police cars raced downtown, streets near the 32nd Precinct closed, and my efforts to reach the Mayor’s Office failed. With only news reports available, I urged residents to remain home and follow official updates. My staff and I gathered around the television in shock and disbelief. We could not yet comprehend the lives lost, the physical and emotional toll, or the destruction that would require years of rebuilding. The next day, officers from the 32nd Precinct escorted me to Ground Zero with Chief of Staff Luther Smith, Senior Advisor Barbara Baer, and photographer Karl Crutchfield. Several days later, I would revisit the site with Amsterdam News’ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Elinor Tatum. Although I knew Manhattan well, I could not orient myself amid the devastation. Smoke and the odor of burning materials filled the air, and the possibility that people remained alive beneath the wreckage was unbearable. The sights and smells stayed with me for months. No one had answers, but everyone asked the same question: Why? After surveying nearby neighborhoods, I called for help, and volunteers responded. My office organized caravans into the re-

stricted zone with food, medicine, donated cellphones, and other necessities. I assigned a staff member to the Mayor’s Command Center so Lower Manhattan residents’ needs would remain part of the discussion, and we could receive daily briefings. With vans provided by St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital and the Church of Salvation and Deliverance, staff and volunteers worked with City Council members and community leaders to evacuate buildings and check on residents. In one senior housing development, people were isolated, without food, and running out of medication. For weeks, my staff and I attended community meetings, met with business owners, and helped address urgent needs for housing, transportation, food, water, medicine, phones, and electricity. The work continued long after the immediate crisis as we helped people rebuild lives marked by grief and profound loss. For four years, my office held interfaith sunrise prayer services each September 11, bringing Lower Manhattan residents together for healing, spiritual strength, and renewed faith. As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, I am grateful for Lower Manhattan’s transformation and for the memorial honoring those who died. Businesses returned despite early predictions, and families made the community their

home, increasing demand for the schools, parks, supermarkets, and services that sustain a thriving neighborhood. However, rebuilding cannot be measured only in buildings and businesses. We must continue restoring hope and strengthening lives, communities, and relationships. A quarter-century later, the need for civility and mutual respect remains urgent. Disrespect, bigotry, racism, antisemitism, homophobia, and mistrust still divide communities and, when unchecked, can foster hatred and violence. The lasting lesson of September 11 is that tragedy can reveal our shared humanity. Honoring those we lost requires more than remembrance; it calls us to practice compassion, reject hatred, serve our neighbors, and renew the unity that carried New York City through its darkest days. The day remains forever etched in my memory — not only for its devastation, but also for the extraordinary goodwill, compassion, generosity, and solidarity shown by people of every background. Houses of worship filled as faith leaders spoke of pain, forgiveness, healing, love, and hope. Americans stood shoulder to shoulder, praying, singing, and displaying the flag as a symbol of unity. C. Virginia Fields served as Manhattan Borough President from 1998 to 2005.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 9

Divine Nine News Glowing Up Delta: From Spelman College to Shark Tank to Audacity! By PRECIOUS L. WILLIAMS Special to the AmNews What does it look like to have audacity at 47? You are looking at it. Like many of my sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., I have succeeded despite the odds. I was told “no” so much, I stopped hearing those words and still made

my dreams happen. Our rich history has taught sorors how to make it big in corporate America, entrepreneurship, and life. In 2001, I was blessed to be initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Eta Kappa Chapter, and graduate from Spelman College. In my 20s and 30s, I became an attorney, started my first company, raised almost $750k in business pitch prize money, and stepped onto global stages as an

Latest book by Precious L. Williams. (Cover created by Christian Cuan)

Book cover for “40 Year Plus Glow Up Playbook,” created by Christian Cuan.

international professional speaker. Turning 40 is when things started to change. Suddenly, society made us feel invisible and our age began to define and imprison us. In our 40s, 50s, and beyond, we weren’t allowed to shine as brightly. We were told we were too old to start going after things. We had money and success, and got comfortable, maybe even safe. We stopped pushing back. We accepted. Society, social media, our families, and some of our friends told us it’s over unless you look like a 25-year-old. Wrinkles? Give it up, grandma! You want to do what at this age? Should you be dressing like this? Step aside! We became spectators instead of living and thriving. We were headed toward sunset instead of sunrises. However, in my 40s, things started to make sense. The reason why some things did not happen when I was in my 20s and 30s is that I was not ready. I had not had enough experience yet to handle certain responsibilities. I was not confident in myself yet. Now, I was ready to do what seemed impossible. It was time to reinvent myself and light a match to my past. I am more than what I have presented and positioned myself to be in this world! In fact, 10 years ago, I was on Season 8 of ABC’s “Shark Tank.” I pitched my company, Curvy Girlz Lingerie, when I weighed 327 pounds. Yes, I created a lingerie line for full-figured divas and plus-sized fashionistas. I told the world we were here and deserved more.

To share your Divine Nine News, please contact us at d9@amsterdamnews.com and at amsterdamnews.com/d9news

Who knew that 10 years later, I would still be loud and bold and advocate for women, especially in our glorious middle chapter. This is not a setback, but a takeover. My new book, “The 40 Year Plus Glow Up Playbook: Celebrating Life, Love, Beauty and Happiness in Our 40s, 50s, 60s and Beyond,” is debuting 10 years to the day I was on “Shark Tank” Season 8. Yes, on September 15, 2026, my book debuts and is now available for pre-sale. What can happen in 10 years? Everything! Here are 3 valuable lessons for Queens between the ages of 40 and 69. 1. Let Go of the Weight of Others’ Expectations: One of life’s greatest blessings is discovering or rediscovering who you are. It’s understanding that you are now a leader and can call the shots in your own life. You are no longer asking for consensus or permission. It’s making your own decisions, whether they are popular or not. My weight fell off when I made the decision to move into a space that I loved and chose not to stay where I felt tolerated. I did not let others’ fears about my finances, the economy, or anything stop me. That big decision allowed me to move into a peaceful home that I could style any way I want. The sun shines brightly in my space. I can see out of my balcony into the city I love, and it’s about elevation. I no longer just blindly follow the crowd, even in this economy. I can eat alone. See DIVINE NINE NEWS on page 29

10 • September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Labor & Workplace August jobs report shows hope — and warning signs — for Black workers

Cover of the “The State of the Black Labor Market” report by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. (Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies photo)

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Following months of fluctuating numbers, the August jobs report showed that Black unemployment fell to 6%, down from 6.3% in July. Overall, the nation’s unemployment rate held at 4.1%, and employers added 162,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The August jobs report proved that 2026 has been a mixed year for Black workers, with unemployment falling in late summer but fewer Black people participating in the labor force. Youth unemployment also dwindled a lot. Black workers still had higher unemployment rates than white, Asian, and Latino workers. That was the main finding from “The State of the Black Labor Market,” the latest analysis by Cantrell Dumas, Dr. Gabrielle Smith Finnie, and Dedrick AsanteMuhammad of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

Their analysis found that the U.S. labor market remained volatile throughout the first eight months of 2026. Despite low unemployment numbers, the market failed to generate broader employment growth or encourage more Black workers to enter the workforce. “We can say that the unemployment rate is getting better for Black workers,” said Dumas, who spoke with the Amsterdam News as the Labor Day report was being finalized. “But one of the reasons the unemployment rate could be going down is that a lot of Black people are not looking for jobs anymore. They may feel disenfranchised and feel like, you know, what’s the point?” he said. The August report showed Black unemployment falling to its lowest point of the year. Black men saw their unemployment rate drop from 8.1% in January to 6.2% in August. Black women’s unemployment rate moved more erratically, rising to 7.7% in February, then falling to 5.8% in July

and edging up to 5.9% in August. Young Black workers, ages 16 to 24, had the most unsteady year: their unemployment rate started at 13.7% in January, climbed to 16.6% in June, then dropped to 11.5% by August. “Young Black workers, obviously, their rate started at 13.7% in January,” Dumas said. “It reached the highest for the year at 16.6% in June. It dropped in July to 12%, and then it declined further in August to 11.5%.” The unemployment rate counts only people who are out of work and actively looking for a job. If workers stop searching, they are no longer counted in the unemployment rate. The Joint Center’s report notes that Black labor force participation fell from 62.7% in January to 61.6% in August, while Black employment remained unchanged, slipping by about 3,000 workers. So the lower unemployment rate did not necessarily mean there was an employment boom. Still, the August job numbers

showed that employers added more jobs than many economists expected. The BLS also revised June and July payrolls upward by a combined 55,000 jobs. Growth was strongest in industries where Black workers participate, such as construction, which added about 22,000 jobs. Manufacturing added about 16,000. Health care added about 13,000, social assistance added about 16,000, and local government education added 42,000. Dumas pointed to transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, and construction as key industries for Black male employment. For Black women, the report says their jobs are concentrated in health care, education, retail, and public administration. For young Black workers, leisure and hospitality, retail, education, and health services are important sectors — and the gains in leisure and hospitality jobs in August may help explain some of the late-summer improvement. “We don’t know

why the rates are going down,” Dumas said. “I’d love to see, love to find out and do more digging into what is causing these changes, and to highlight and amplify it so that the rate can go down even more and be on par with the overall unemployment rate.” Wide racial gaps remain in employment. In August, Black unemployment stood at 6.0%, compared with 3.7% for white workers, 4.8% for Latino workers, and 3.2% for Asian workers. “We’re not saying that 6% is a winning rate, right?” Dumas said. “Because if you look at the grand scheme of things, we’re still higher than other racial groups, right?” The August jobs report shows that progress is possible — but fragile. “I would take the positive view,” Dumas said when asked whether the numbers offered hope. “It is a hopeful sign, considering that Black people are finding jobs, the labor force participation rate is high, and people are actually actively looking for jobs.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 11

“ Every night we would drive up West Street. … There were people in

the streets with American flags and signs, thanking us, waving to us, screaming at us. They had no idea what that meant to me.

“

– NYPD Emergency Service Unit Detective Anthony Conti in an oral history recorded by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

They called it “Hero Highway” – that stretch of West St. leading to Ground Zero, closed to all trafc except the police ofcers and other responders carrying out the largest rescue, recovery and cleanup operation in our nation’s history. As they made that fateful trek, day after day, large crowds of grateful New Yorkers lined the sidewalks carrying banners and signs, shouting praise and applauding with gratitude. Twenty-ve years later, those cheering crowds are gone, but the support and unity they displayed is needed more than ever. Too many of those who traveled the “Hero Highway” are no longer with us – lost to illnesses they contracted at the pile. Many others are still ailing from the toxins they inhaled. And like the heroes who came before them, NYC police ofcers today face enormous challenges and take incredible risks to serve their fellow New Yorkers. As we remember the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, remember to show your appreciation and support for the brave men and women who risk their lives for us, each and every day.

POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, INC. PATRICK HENDRY, PRESIDENT Photo: © John Botte

12 • September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Opinion Weaponizing the I.R.S is another egregious attempt at systemic racism

EDITORIAL

President Trump put a halt to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which has had a particular impact on Haitians; tried in vain to restrict birthright citizenship; then renewed his appeal to the Supreme Court to limit voting by mail; and moved to redefine wetlands protected under the Clean Water Act. Now his latest target is the release of new rules that would revoke tax-exempt status from any school support to Black or any other minority students. In effect, this is just another attempt to illegally reshape education from his perspective. By placing the issue in the purview of the I.R.S., the Trump administration has found another angle to do away with what he perceives as programs denying white and Asian students. Already gearing up is a push back against the new rules, and we join our voice to that of Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, who has been steadfast in his challenges to Trump’s policies. The union was successful in blocking the Trump administration’s cuts to research funding at the University of California, Los Angeles. Wolfson defined the current attack as a “blatantly racist political coercion intended to deny minority students reparative opportunities to further their education.” There is nothing new about these measures to stifle anything related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The proposed regulations are vague and there’s no clear understanding of how the I.R.S. would evaluate which policies or school activities actually are discriminatory. Of course, such details are meaningless to the Trump administration. By weaponizing the I.R.S., they hope to get the outcome they seek. Yes, we’ve been up this creek before. Let’s hope we have enough paddles in the water to turn back another egregious proposition.

Increasing the minimum wage is vital to solving the affordability crisis

Member

Alliance for Audited Media

(Pexels/Thobile Nhlapo photo)

By HOLLY SKLAR

People who work for a living need to be able to make a living. Raising the minimum wage is a vital part of the solution to the affordability crisis. The cost of food, housing, healthcare, transportation, and other necessities has risen sharply. But the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009, the longest period in history without a raise by far. That’s 17 years with the same minimum wage, but a much higher cost of living. Full-time work at $7.25 an hour amounts to just $15,080 if you are paid for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. Raising the federal minimum wage would boost wages from the bottom up. Instead, the growing gap between the minimum wage and the cost of living is keeping millions of workers in poverty at the minimum wage and above it. A red light for minimum wage is a Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher green light for increasing inequality. and Editor in Chief Workers’ share of national income is Madison Gray: Executive & Investigative Editor at record lows while corporate profits Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor are at record highs. Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor While the federal minimum wage has Damaso Reyes: Editor at Large stayed at $7.25 since 2009, the number Siobhan "Sam" Bennett: of U.S. billionaires has swelled from Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising 357 to 989 — and 15 of them have a net Wilbert A. Tatum (1984-2009): worth of more than $100 billion each. Chairman of the Board, CEO and Publisher Emeritus The federal minimum wage peaked

in buying power back in 1968, when it was worth $15.62 in 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator. Millions of workers make less than that today, or just a little above it. Nationally, more than 12 million workers make less than $15 per hour, 18 million workers make less than $16, and 23 million make less than $17, including overtime, tips and commissions, according to the Economic Policy Institute’s Low Wage Workforce Tracker. Twenty states have minimum wages no higher than the $7.25 federal level: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Five of those states — Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee — don’t have a state minimum wage, and in Georgia and Wyoming the state minimum is $5.15, so the federal $7.25 minimum wage applies. The median wage is the midpoint in wage distribution. The median hourly wage for childcare workers in 2025 was just $10.60 in Mississippi and $10.92 in Alabama, for example. The median wage for home health and personal care aides was $10.83 in Louisiana and $11.65 in Texas.

The median wage for short order cooks was $9.57 in Pennsylvania and $10.55 in Indiana. Half of those workers earn less than those median wages. Raising the minimum wage will help workers keep up with the cost of living and bolster the consumer spending that businesses and the economy depend on. It’s important to remember that workers are also customers. Raising the minimum wage is a very efficient way to boost small businesses and the economy because it puts more money in the pockets of people who most need to spend it. Decades of rigorous research on actual minimum wage increases show that raising the minimum wage is beneficial and does not cause job loss. There’s nothing radical about a decent minimum wage. As Adam Smith, the “father of modern capitalism,” put it in 1776, “It is but equity, besides, that they who feed, clothe and lodge the whole body of the people, should have such a share of the produce of their own labor as to be themselves tolerably well fed, clothed and lodged.”

Holly Sklar is the CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, a national network of business owners and executives who believe fair pay makes good business sense. www.businessforafairminimumwage.org.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O P I N I O N

Where climate change hits home By shola shodiya More than 25,000 people across Europe have suffered heat-related deaths since June, as climate change continues to produce hotter and hotter summer temperatures. And we haven’t even reached the peak of the heatwave season. But quieter climate catastrophes are closer to home and aren’t getting the same headlines as the European fires. Across the United States, Black and Indigenous communities are deeply affected by the dangers that environmental racism poses to their physical, physiological, and psychological well-being. Public health scholars have consistently cited environmental justice (EJ) communities as case studies of what happens when corporations are allowed to have their way in low-income, Black and Brown neighborhoods for the benefit of their capitalist and industrialist ventures. EJ communities are neighborhoods affected by urban density and concrete islands that significantly increase heat exposure. New York certainly has its share of EJ communities. All

but one neighborhood in the Bronx — the predominantly White and upper-middleclass area of Riverdale — is classified as an EJ, or “disadvantaged” community. And just as suspected, kids living in the Bronx are five times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma and twice as likely to die from asthma than the national average, due to urban heat island effects stemming from a lack of green space and tree cover, heavy diesel truck usage of the borough’s multiple converging highways, redlining, decades of economic divestment, and a disparate concentration of polluting infrastructure. Think about where all the Black and lowincome folks in New York live and do the math. East Harlem, Central and Eastern Brooklyn, Southeast Queens. All EJ communities. People worry and talk about climate change like it’s a far-off possibility. But some of us who experience environmental harm at the intersection of capitalism, industrialization, patriarchy, and racism don’t have time to worry about the future because we’re worried now. Now, we don’t have clean

water to give to our children because the water is polluted by chemical plants. Now, we are surrounded by family and friends who have the highest rates of asthma and cancer, because we are constantly breathing air tainted by smokestacks and petrol plants. Now, we are suffering from insomnia because the noise that keeps data centers running, fueling our overconsumption of generative AI, is so loud that we cannot sleep or think. We are suffering now. A disproportionate number of us are low-income Black, Indigenous, and Latiné women who do everything in our power to resist and change how our family is affected by these harms. We educate others about those smokestacks, we plant gardens in our backyards above the soil to feed our families, and we write letters to our city officials to clean up their pollution from where we live. Recently, I wrote an academic paper that revised the idea of “politicized environmental identity” to assert that for folks who are already marginalized by oppressive institutions, our decisions to care about climate

change and environmental harm are deeply intertwined with the politicization of our existence and our bodies as racialized and gendered people in this society. It is our bodies that absorb the brunt of the damage to our world. We pay in disease, in stress, and in anxiety. Most of these big environmental and climate organizations don’t consider us and what we’re enduring now as they dream of a better future for their children. They don’t realize that for us, morality isn’t pushing our motivation to act; It is our need for survival. But we need them to act now. We need them to pour money into the research and policy efforts that move refineries away from our homes and advocate for our health. We need them to care with the same intensity that folks care when it’s happening to them. shola shodiya is a Black Feminist psychologist, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Public Voices Fellow with The OpEd Project at UCSB.

Detroit, Labor Day weekend, and a touch of jazz — a winning trio!

Labor Day Weekend and Detroit are inseparably linked, given that city’s working-class history. The holiday is often celebrated in Motown by the Detroit Jazz Festival, and this 47th anniversary featured such notable musicians as Ravi Coltrane, Ron Carter, Cindy Blackman Santana, Kurt Elling, Catherine Russell, Bob James, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Joe Lovano, who was the event’s artist in residence. You’d better believe Lovano worked overtime, performing at several events; most significantly with his quartet

Detroit Jazz Festival Artist-in-Resident, saxophonist Joe Lovano. (Herb Boyd photo)

— drummer Will Calhoun, bassist Asante Santi Debriano, and guitarist Julian Lage. Each tune was remarkably rendered, including their interpretation of Wayne Shorter’s composition “Lady Day.”

The intricate interplay between Lage and Calhoun was particularly engrossing. Equally rewarding was Coltrane and his quartet — the old expression about the fruit not falling from the

tree was given fresh currency when Ravi and crew lit into “Countdown,” one of his father’s great recordings. Drummer Johnathan Blake, during his solo, matched the explosions exuded from Ravi’s tenor saxophone. The horns of Lovano and Coltrane were like a fanfare to my homecoming as I worked my way through the crowd, encountering many old friends and former students from Wayne State University. In a brief interview with Lovano, he summed up the occasion, noting that “this festival is absolutely amazing, when you consider the turnout and the number of world class musicians here. I don’t think there’s anything like this anywhere and I am proud to be part of it.”

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 13

As we remember September 11, there is much we should not forget CHRISTINA

GREER, PH.D. It almost feels like yesterday. I was a graduate student at Columbia University, having just returned to New York the day before a visit to Florida, before beginning my PhD program. It was my second day of classes, and in an instant, before I left for statistics class, the city, America, and the world changed forever. As we reflect on the 25 years since the September 11 attacks occurred, I find myself holding so many differing emotions. I think of the lives lost on that day in lower Manhattan and the DMV. I think of the FDNY members who lost scores of brothers in a single day. I think of those who survived that day — office workers, volunteers, and first responders — only to succumb to mysterious cancers later in life. I think of a generation of children who watched that horrifying scene on television and the confusion and fear it must have caused. As I watched the two towers and the disaster that ensued, I could not help but think of my own childhood memories of seeing the Space Shuttle Challenger explode, and the fear and sadness that swept over our auditorium in seconds. Seeing adults shaken is incredibly unmooring for children to experience, and sadly, far too many children have experienced traumatic events in the wake of 9/11. After the events of September 11, America went on a warpath. Some may argue this is just one pebble in a large pile of American behavior. Although America is a young nation, she has proven herself to be

one of the most bellicose in human history. The subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have not yielded safety, a more unified future, or even answers about the root of the tragedy. Sadly, America has spawned a generation of children abroad who have experienced trauma and traumatic events paid for by American tax dollars. Before the current regime took hold and before his recent image rehabilitation, painting dogs and hanging out with Michele Obama, former President George W. Bush was considered by many to be a war-mongering, profiteering village idiot. Obviously, the current occupants in the White House and administration make Bush’s incompetence look like small potatoes. Still, we cannot forget or ignore the wrath the Bush regime inflicted on the world. As I reflect on this 25th anniversary, I will continue to pray for the families of loved ones lost that day, and in the months and years that followed, both at home and abroad. I will continue to support elected officials who want to think creatively about peace-filled solutions to the world’s problems — and I will continue to thank our first responders who make our lives safer each day. Christina Greer, Ph.D., is a 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.

14 • September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Caribbean Update U.S. ramps up expulsions, dumps deportees on Guyana, St. Lucia BY BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews As locals enjoyed beverages at their favorite social venue on the night of Friday, Sept. 4, Guyanese immigration and protocol officers were receiving four Cubans and two Afghan nationals under the Trump administration’s controversial third-country deportation system through which it is dumping U.S. deportees on Caribbean and other nations. The six are the first of many expected to follow in the coming months as Washington ramps up pressure on regional member states to accept people it is deporting. The arrival of the first batch came just days after fellow regional bloc member nation, St. Lucia, was due to accept its first group as well, joining Belize and St. Kitts as countries that have already confirmed receiving such deportees from the U.S. since the start of this year. Talks with a number of other nations, including Jamaica and An-

tigua, for example, have reached an advanced stage, but haggling about the numbers that governments must accept appears to have worked against the arrival of their initial batches. In the case of Jamaica, varying numbers are being bandied about, with local The Gleaner newspaper reporting that government officials had offered to accept and receive up to 10,000 non-national deportees; but latest indications are that the number would be capped at 25 every two weeks. Opposition parties and rights groups have railed against the plan in a manner similar to Antigua’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who has made it clear that small island nations like his are being pressured and bullied by the U.S. to comply with American policy edicts. Pressure has come in the form of the withdrawal of visa privileges for Antiguans and payment of a visa bond of up to $20,000 for locals applying to travel to the US. Most who have struggled to come up with the

money and had traveled for interviews to the U.S. Embassy in Barbados have reported being rejected for visas. Nevertheless, Browne said they should not despair just yet. “Stand firm against the evil, discriminatory, and bullying practices of the powerful,” Browne said recently. “Do not fear. Do not despair. Soldier on in optimism for a brighter future. Do not worry, my dear people. Do not fear. We are covered by God’s almighty hand. The challenges that are meant to break us will certainly make us stronger.” St. Lucia Minister of External Affairs Alva Baptiste said that the country is in no position to financially care for the new arrivals. “It’s almost a pilot project for us. This is all new to us. And we are going to grapple with it,” he said. So far, all the receiving nations have suggested that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will be responsible for the operational and implementation aspects of the program. “The IOM will cover the costs of receiv-

ing, housing and supporting individuals relocated to Guyana, and will provide the services needed for their integration, including access to communication with legal representatives and family members,” Guyanese officials said, as they announced the arrival of batch number one. “The government of Guyana will not bear the financial cost of the program. IOM has confirmed that it will not assume, and that this arrangement will not transfer to it, any of the government’s responsibilities concerning admission, legal stay, protection or removal,” according to the statement. For the smaller islands like Antigua, the U.S. has proposed that it takes up to 120 per year while Antigua said it will not deal with more than 10 to 14 — a position which has angered U.S. officials, as Antigua is adamant that financial guarantees regarding boarding, lodging, medical treatment, and other basics have simply not been convincing from Washington, so

the stalemate continues. Other nations like Dominica and Grenada — both of which have signed formal agreements as far back as January — await their first planeload as local anxieties about security rise to the surface. The U.S. says most, if not all, of the non-nationals are not criminals but have immigration issues and misdemeanors. “The arrangement is temporary in nature and does not constitute permanent resettlement. Individuals relocated to Guyana under the assisted voluntary return program do so voluntarily and will await the outcome of their immigration status determination while in Guyana. Depending on the outcome, individuals will either return to their country of origin or relocate elsewhere of their choosing. Their presence in Guyana is governed by a set of predefined terms rather than open-ended residency,” according to the statement. The agreement will run initially for a year.

What threat did Pierre Damas Bel pose to America? FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER What threat did Pierre Damas Bel pose to America? It is a question I have been unable to shake since learning of the death by apparent suicide of the 20-year-old Haitian immigrant and college student in Springfield, Ohio. Was he dangerous? From all reports he was not. Was he a convicted criminal? According to his mentor, Pierre did not have a criminal record — “not even a traffic ticket.” Was he hiding from immigration authorities? No. Pierre had presented himself at a U.S. port of entry through a CBP One appointment in March 2024. He was released into the United States and was continuing through immigration proceedings. He had also applied for asylum. So why did this young man need an electronic ankle monitor? Pierre was an honors graduate of Springfield High School, a former JROTC member, and a young man

reportedly immensely proud of his 3.8 GPA. Just days before his death, he had begun his freshman year at Wright State University, where he planned to study neuroscience before eventually attending medical school. He worked at Texas Roadhouse; he loved soccer and had been recruited to play at the collegiate level. In other words, Pierre Damas Bel was doing many of the things America constantly tells immigrants they should do: learn English, get an education, work, obey the law, and build something with their lives. And still, on July 29, Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed an ankle monitor around his leg while his immigration case continued. DHS itself confirms that. Think about what an ankle monitor means beyond immigration bureaucracy. It is visible to everyone — classmates, coworkers, church members, strangers walking past. And whether the government intends it or not, society associates that device with criminality. Pierre apparently understood

that stigma painfully well. According to reporting cited by his family and advocates, he wrote about feeling shame and humiliation after being fitted with the monitor. His father says Pierre was subsequently taunted by classmates and felt as though he was being treated “like an animal.” His family says Pierre twice went to regional ICE offices asking for the monitor to be removed so that he could play college soccer. It remained! On August 31, Pierre died after parking his car and entering traffic on Interstate 70 and being struck by a tractor-trailer. His family says he died by suicide. We should be careful here. Suicide is complex, and it would be irresponsible to reduce Pierre’s death to one cause. Wright State has also said it has no confirmed information about complaints or investigations concerning alleged bullying. But none of that eliminates the question America should be asking: why was this young man electronically monitored in the first place? DHS’s response after Pierre’s death was revealing.

The agency described him as a “non-detained illegal alien” and said no one is required to remain in the United States illegally while wearing a monitor. It pointed instead to the government’s self-deportation program, under which eligible immigrants can receive a government-arranged flight and $2,600 after leaving. “Remaining in the country illegally, while fighting removal, is a choice,” DHS said. Pierre apparently believed he had another choice. He could pursue his immigration case; he could pursue asylum; he could attend college; he could study neuroscience; he could work; he could play soccer; he could build a life, and one day perhaps save lives too. And there is another uncomfortable context we cannot ignore. This happened in Springfield, Ohio — home to thousands of Haitian immigrants and the same community thrust into the national spotlight in 2024 by Donald Trump and his MAGA Party, after false claims that Haitians were eating residents’ pets were amplified during the presidential campaign.

Two years later, this young Haitian man in that community was walking around a college campus wearing an ICE ankle monitor despite, according to those who knew him, having no criminal record. Perhaps Trump’s America has become so consumed with labeling people “legal” and “illegal” that they have forgotten an important distinction: being in immigration proceedings is not the same thing as being a criminal. Pierre Damas Bel was 20 years old, pursuing an education and a future. He could have contributed a lot to America and its health care system. Yet, America decided he needed to be tracked everywhere he went. So I return to the question with which I began: what threat exactly did young Pierre Damas Bel pose to America? 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.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 15

Could safety concerns lead to canceling Brooklyn’s West Indian Day parade?

(Ariama C. Long photos)

Elected officials at the West Indian Day Parade 2026.

By TANDY LAU & ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff This year’s J’Ouvert and West Indian Day Parade kicked off with the usual wildly colorful fetes and celebrations down Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, bringing together thousands of revelers from all over the city and the Caribbean. But safety concerns and a series of adjacent stabbings and shootings led to an early end of the festivities this year. Of course, the city remained abundantly aware of violent incidents over the years. But they maintained the cultural and communal importance of the longstanding celebration that officials say is here to stay. “Masqueraders, celebrating opportunity and freedom, will take to the streets even before the sun has risen. And over the course of the day, we will see Eastern Parkway transformed,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a security briefing held on Sept. 4 at a Brooklyn Museum terrace overlooking the route. The mayor was later on a float with Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, excitedly leading the parade on Sept. 7, for his first year as mayor. He joined last year as a mayoral candidate and walked the route with supporters. Several other elected officials were spotted at this week’s J’Ouvert and West Indian Day parade, including NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch, Public Advocate Jumaane

Congressmember Yvette Clarke at the West Indian Day Parade 2026.

Paradegoers at the West Indian Day Parade 2026.

Williams, Governor Kathy Hochul, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, Congressmember Yvette Clarke; Assemblymembers Monique Chandler-Waterman, Brian Cunningham, and Latrice Walker; and Senator Jabari Brisport.

across immigrant communities.”

federal immigration. “We are all united in what this parade is, which is a celebration of the Caribbean community, without which so much of what we love about New York City would not be the city that we call home. And this is going to be a weekend; this is going Fear of ICE on Eastern Parkway to be a Labor Day, where each and Because of citywide sightings of every New Yorker has the space to ICE agents, there was unease among celebrate that,” said Mamdani at the many Haitian New Yorkers that the security briefing. parade would be unsafe for them, “And I also just want to make my considering that Temporary Pro- own position very clear that ICE’s tected Status (TPS) for Haitian im- actions, while they state their momigrants was revoked in June 2026. tivation is that of public safety, do However, Tisch had reassured the nothing to advance that. They are a public that the NYPD would not cruel agency. They’re one that I beparticipate in immigration enforce- lieve should be abolished, and they ment per sanctuary laws preventing are one that has created a real sense local police from coordinating with of fear and terror across the city,

Civilian gun violence interruptors step up Lime green shirts dotted the frontlines of civilian gun violence prevention throughout the parade as Crisis Management System workers played a key role in mediating and de-escalating feuds that may lead to shootings. Many are hailed as credible messengers who were previously incarcerated or affiliated and leverage those experiences to make peace. Others stem from local clergy or aggrieved parents who lost children to gun violence. “We are professionals, we’re experts with de-escalation skills,” said Thomas Haynes, executive director of Tailor Made For A King. “So

we know how to communicate with our people and we know how to deescalate situations if they do come around.” The Mamdani administration began coordinating with the Crisis Management System in July through its new Office of Community Safety, which the mayor long saw as an opportunity to prevent violence from a “public health approach.” “A critical part of this effort, the Crisis Management System provides a trusted, community-based presence,” said Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Renita Francois. “Their credible messengers know the communities they serve. They engage See WEST INDIAN DAY PARADE on page 36

16 • September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026

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Niles Continued from page 3

seniors’ needs such as food instability. “The way the seniors get treated is ridiculous. It bothers me because I sat and I listened to those people, day in and day out,” Niles said, going back to her work with seniors over the years. “They are the glue that holds our community together.” Niles said she has spoken to countless residents in the district through town halls and tabling at NYCHA buildings and more, hearing about the issues from the heart of the community; something she claims Chevalier did not do, but instead went to the “areas of Harlem that are gentrified.” While agreeing with Chevalier’s stances on issues like Palestine and ICE, Niles criticizes her for focusing on those topics as opposed to the urgent struggles of regular uptown residents. She and others have argued that Chevalier was propped up by the Democratic Socialists of America as a result of her involvement in the Columbia University Gaza protest. “[Chevalier] is not in tune with the people in this community,” Niles said. “The people in this community are trying to figure out how they’re going to pay their rent. They’re not concerned with Israel or what Netanyahu is doing.” In a response, Chevalier spoke to the Amsterdam News and pushed back on the idea that she is a parachute candidate, highlighting that she won Harlem and Black voters in the primary. “I have been organizing in New York for my entire adult life,” Chevalier said, having been an organizer uptown for more than a decade about mass incarceration and ICE detention, after moving to the city to attend Columbia. According to Chevalier, critical funding for the district for issues of affordability, housing, and more is instead being used for pointless overseas wars as in Gaza and Lebanon, which she said she would fight against in Congress. “I believe in the right of

working people to benefit from the wealth that their labor produces. I believe that they deserve to lead a dignified life,” Chevalier said. Among her housing proposals, Chevalier said she supports fully funding NYCHA and opposing privatization with the Rental Assistance Demonstration and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (RAD/PACT) program. Niles has questioned how tenants can trust Chevalier’s position since a big supporter of hers — Mayor Mamdani — lends support to the controversial program. Chevalier replied that she intends to fix the problem by ensuring there is enough funding from the federal level so NYCHA buildings can be preserved and repaired. Concerning deed theft, an issue that Niles also criticizes Chevalier for, Niles outlined potential measures. If elected, she said she would support an eviction moratorium for homeowners and would look to stop deeds from being available to the general market where speculators can find them, through means including introducing federal legislation to establish more privacy standards; using federal oversight with systems like ACRIS, the city’s property information website; and working with city and state leaders. “Just because I wouldn’t be a member of City Council doesn’t mean I can’t make changes to how homeowners are protected,” Niles said. “Homeowners should have the right to know that their property records are public without having to accept that their personal information can be turned into a roadmap for criminals.” She also suggested implementing the use of a special password and an explanation each time someone wants to access a deed. “While I don’t have the experience of being in City Council or being an assemblyman or senator, I have the experience of working with the people, for the people,” Niles said. “I live out in this community; I’m working with the people in this community, and I’ve always been a fighter.”

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September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 17

Arts & Entertainment

This week: Cassandra Wilson Farewell, FLUX, Shapeshifter Lab, New Trumpet, Pittsburgh Jazz

Like so many, it came as a complete shock to learn of singer and songwriter Cassandra Wilson’s passing on September 1, in Jackson, Mississippi, her hometown. The NEA Jazz Master and two-time Grammy winner was a genre innovator like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Nina Simone, and Betty Carter. She had a unique magical tone, prompting listeners to linger in the moment of each lyric falling ever so deep into her intoxicating web. Whether from the Great American Songbook, although she preferred her originals, she managed to put her stamp on the most well-traveled tunes, like Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit,” into a deeper emotional sphere, “Crazy He Calls Me” [Wow!] and her interpretations of the catchy pop tune “Last Train to Clarkesville” or the country hit “Wichita Lineman.” Her daring curiosity led her to record “Traveling Miles” (Blue Note 199), a brilliant vocal excursion of Miles Davis compositions. Regardless of the song, her captivating style was always there: a slow meandering, smoky soul contralto, a mix of folk, country, and blues sprouted from her southern roots. She was a storyteller of vivid, tantalizing experiences — songs that touch your heart, like that first teenage kiss you never forgot from that bad boy or girl who rocked your world. Generations of singer-songwriters have followed her fearless trail, including Norah Jones, Lizz Wright, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jazzmeia Horn, Charenee Wade, and Vanisha Gould. “She was the only artist I knew to end the show with a ballad,” said guitarist Kelvyn Bell, a band member. “She lived in lots of space, a ballad full of air that shook the house. She was a real musician, another cat in the band. She let me be me, which was a blessing; I was honored to have played with her.” Bell noted Cassandra brought her innovative concepts from her time with Steve Coleman’s Five Elements and M-Bass that featured Geri Allen, Greg Osby, Graham Haynes, and Robin Eubanks, an inventive collective who played with an improvisational structure allowing creativity in motion. “Cassandra was using all the music, including avant-garde with out-the-box harmonic and rhythmic structures. The way she blended it all together was incredible.” Bassist and composer Lonnie Plaxico had

Cassandra Wilson in concert at the Pompei Jazz Festival, 1987. (Pino Alpino / Creative Commons photo)

performed with Wilson for about 43 years as musician and music director. “Cassandra was like real family; we talked about everything from family to politics,” said Plaxico. “I loved working with her — she always gave me a challenge the way she deconstructed songs with different basslines. She was about taking chances and not being put in a box; she wanted to recreate it with her own voice …. I keep thinking about all those tour buses, shows, one-nighters, and recordings together. She will really be missed.” Uncompromising, adventurous genius best describes Oliver Lake as an alto saxophonist/flautist, poet, composer, and visual artist. During his distinguished career, he’s enriched the sonic sounds of jazz with such ensembles as the Oliver Lake Organ Quartet, Oliver Lake Big Band, and a longtime collaborator with Trio 3, and he co-founded the World Saxophone Quartet with Julius Hemphill, David Murray, and Hamiet Bluiett. For over five decades, Lake’s music has crossed the lines of jazz, shining in all di-

rections. On September 13 (at the Montclair Public Library in New Jersey), FLUX Quartet debuts a new composition for string quartet by Lake entitled “WSQ,” as well as a few of his other pieces. Violinist Tom Chiu founded The FLUX Quartet in the late ‘90s. The string quartet (two violins, cello, and viola) have performed with such innovative artists as Ornette Coleman, Wadada Leo Smith, and Henry Threadgill, and premiered more than 100 works by many of today’s foremost innovators, including Michael Byron, David First, and Lake. “I have collaborated and performed with FLUX for over 20 years. It’s one of the many ensembles I’ve had a long relationship with, and they have continued to play my music,” said Lake during a phone interview. “I love writing for strings; the violin and alto saxophone have similar sounds. When [violinist] Roy Jenkins and I were AACM members, we often played in a duo format.” The premiere composition “WSQ” is the abbreviation for World Saxophone Quartet, which Lake says

“brings back good memories.” Lake’s artwork will be on exhibit during his music premiere featuring 10 pieces entitled “En Souls” that will run now through September 29. I wanted to say now until the souls run out, but that would have been too corny! An afternoon of Lake’s music and art what a spirited journey at 4 p.m. FREE to the public. Festival of New Trumpet Music is an astounding force of trumpeters flirting in new moments of sound and exploration, and is taking off on September 14-20 for seven nights of jazz across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Jersey City, at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Close Up, The Sultan Room, The Jazz Gallery, The Statuary, and Nublu. This grassroots festival, run by and for a community of trumpeters and directed by Dave Douglas since 2003, is now storming into its 24th season. The festival will bring the aspiring, those of a new dawn, and already established musicians to the bandstand: Pablo Masis Sparks, Jim Seeley Quintet, Joey Curreri/Marquis Hill, Miranda Agnew, Adam O’Farrill’s Elephant, Pete Rodgruiz Quintet, and Milena Casado. On September 15, The New School will host the 2026 Festival of New Trumpet Music Award of Recognition ceremony honoring Ahmed Abdullah, the legendary trumpeter, composer, educator, and longtime member of Sun Ra’s Arkestra. For a complete schedule, visit fontmusic.org. On September 15-17 at Brooklyn’s Shapeshifter Lab (837 Union Street), a celebration of the life and work of John Coltrane will focus on Jimmy Garrison, whose strumming bass was John’s heartbeat — together they introduced a new sound in the jazz vernacular. Garrison was Coltrane’s mainstay, the backbone, his glue holding the rhythm and harmony foundation with his colorful, resonant tones that can be heard on over two dozen of Coltrane’s most seminal albums beginning with “Live at the Village Vanguard” (Impulse!, 1961), “Coltrane,” and “Duke Ellington & John Coltrane” (both on Impulse!, 1962), and “A Love Supreme” (Impulse!, 1964). Matt Garrison, Jimmy’s son, an accomplished electric guitarist, is a central figure in this celebration. On September 16, Matt will join forces with Ravi Coltrane (son of John and Alice) and Marcus Gilmore (grandson of Roy Haynes) — three musicians whose family histories are deeply embedded in jazz. “We have been left an invaluable treasure, and we all are committed See JAZZ NOTES on page 24

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2026 Emmy Awards countdown: Dubious Distinctions

(L-R) Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson in “A Man on the Inside.” (Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix photo)

Ayo Edebiri in “The Bear.” (FX photo)

By MARK WINSTON GRIFFITH Special to the AmNews

Most fetishized lead performance: “Hacks” (24 nominations) Jean Smart is an undeniably accomplished actor, but her diva character in “Hacks” is tedious as hell. Smart’s four consecutive awards (when “Hacks” was eligible) for “Outstanding Lead Actress In a Comedy Series” feels more like a lifetime achievement award stuck on repeat rather than the acknowledgement of superior artistry. A more accomplished comic performance than Quinta Brunson, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph or Ayo Edebiri every year since 2022? Yeah, right. I guess I should learn to expect less from a category that once nominated Selena Gomez for “Only Murders in the Building.”

lines generously soaked in sex, drugs, and endless backstabbing. The intensity level in “Industry” starts at eleven and works its The Emmy Awards will be held Sept. way up, and the latest season starts to get a 14, 2026, and broadcast on NBC and Pea- bit sloppy drunk on its own thrills, but the cock, although some winners have already performances by Myha’la, Ken Leung, and been announced. AmNews readers may re- Marisa Abela will keep you shamelessly rivmember that last year, in an effort to be eted and entertained. your friendly neighborhood guide to television achievement (or in some cases, un- Hardest to kill: “Only Murders in the derachievement), I ranked the nominees, Building” (5 nominations) from my least favorite to my most favorite, What started off as a whimsical comic in four marquee categories: outstanding murder mystery set in an Upper West Side television movie, limited series, comedy apartment building has now in season series, and drama series. 6 spread to London like a bad case of This year, rather than weigh in on all Yankee COVID. I was willing to indulge 26 entries, I now present Dubious Dis- the silly sleuthing antics of Martin Short, tinctions — some notable features of this Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez for the year’s nominees that may not otherwise first couple of seasons, especially when it get recognized, but will help you make dis- poked fun at true crime podcasting, but as cerning choices. I suffered through jokes and plot lines that became more hackneyed with each succesMost inexplicably overlooked: “A Man on sive season, I was forced to cry “no mas.” the Inside”(Zero nominations) and “Industry” (Zero nominations) Most maddeningly miscategorized: “The It’s baffling how both of these series have Bear” (8 nominations) been consistently ignored by the Emmys. Few will argue that “The Bear” is an often Granted, “A Man on the Inside” (Ted breathtaking dissection of the MichelinDanson is an amateur detective investi- star restaurant ethos, the obsessive spirit gating low-stakes crimes) can be pretty that leads to great culinary accomplishsaccharine at times, but productions like ments and self destruction. “Ted Lasso,” “Shrinking” and “The Good And for those who have soured on Season Place” have already proven that shows that 4, take solace in the fact that this year’s are sweet and harmless can also be smart Emmys are considering Season 3. But “The and poignant. Not only is it refreshing to Bear’s” inclusion in the comedy categosee a quality comedy that focuses on the ry feels increasingly disingenuous. What’s lives of older people, but Ted Danson con- the strategy here? Submit “The Bear” as a tinues to prove his versatility and impec- comedy because it will have an easier time cable comic timing. winning? And what I wrote last year holds In the meantime, if you’ve never worked true today: “Comedy is, at best, a side-husin the world of finance and investment tle technique in ‘The Bear.’ Yes, there are banking, chances are you won’t under- times when ‘The Bear’ is trying to make you stand a word anyone is saying in “Indus- laugh or employs dark humor, but the pretry.” But who needs decipherable language dominant goal is to make you keep ALL of when you’ve got Masters of the Universe your emotional responses on high alert — cannibalizing each other, and juicy story- to empathize, to cry, to be anxious, to feel.”

“Abbott Elementary” is forced to churn out two dozen episodes per season, so the humor can sometimes sag, but never has a more finely tuned ensemble stepped onto a sitcom set. In the end, “Abbott Elementary” is a joyfully spirited mockumentary saturated with respect for faculty and students alike. It ekes out hope for Black people operating in a hopeless system.

Most likely that no Black family could get away with this: “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” (8 nominations) “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” is a soulwarming portrait of a family of adults with huge hearts, but consistently questionable judgment. “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” softens the sharp, social pariah Most prophetically named series: “Nobody edges of drug abuse, child endangerment, Wants This” (2 nominations) assault, sex work, the gig economy, and Nobody can deny the chemistry between poor white trash and somehow produces Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, who play a an effectively wholesome comedic romp. gentile and rabbi who find love in a world It’s a reminder of what fellow members of that ain’t feelin’ it. And anyone can appre- the human race can look like when viewed ciate the clever comedic writing and smart with true empathy. performances from the likes of supporting actors, Timothy Simons and Justine Highest jump of the shark: “Paradise” (11 Lupe. But why would someone allow writer nominations) Erin Foster to create a politically avoidant Compared to the most enthralling postromcom that is composed of strikingly ste- apocalyptic productions of the last decade reotypical and cartoonish Jewish charac- — namely “The Walking Dead,” “The Leftters and situations, especially at a time of overs,” “Station Eleven,” “The Last of Us,” fraught identity politics for Jews stateside “Silo,” “Pluribus” — “Paradise” is a pretendand abroad? Somebody, anybody, should er to the throne. What left the gate as a queshave said “no.” tionable premise — thousands of survivors of a nuclear holocaust are living comfortMost deserving of a Mark Twain spe- ably in a city-sized underground bunker cial jury prize: “Abbott Elementary” (7 that perfectly simulates the bright outdoors nominations) — has settled into a confused, wandering I will keep screaming this from the roof- mess now venturing into time travel. Part of top: Nothing tackles urban American public the collateral damage is Sterling K. Brown, education with more grace and wit than one of the most powerful talents in the “Abbott Elementary.” What is particularly game, who is reduced to being a one-note, sly is its racial perspective which pokes fun stone-faced crusader. Thank goodness for at white wokeism and Black altruism with Season Two’s Shailene Woodley, a diamond a lovingly gentle touch. As a network show, in a mine filled with fool’s gold.

A Most overhyped: “The Pitt” (25 nominations) Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch is one of the most complex characters you will find on television, and Noah Wyle’s performance as Robby is one for the ages. But as I wrote last year, “along with cop shows, hospital dramas are one of the most abused formulas in television. No matter what urban center they’re set in, we are sure to find talented and morally high-grounded doctors, corporate suits demanding profits, and lots of people looking mighty fine in their scrubs. It’s not that I feel ‘The Pitt’ is not good, I just had a hard time finding high doses of originality, especially having watched a decent share of network hospital and ER television shows in my lifetime.” Least buzzy: “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” (9 nominations) It’s little wonder that you don’t hear many people talking about “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” Any series that is a derivative of “Game of Thrones” will have a hard time living up to the standards of what I believe remains among the top three television series ever made (even when discounting

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for the final season). By focusing primarily on Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is much smaller, and less ambitious than GoT and there are no dragons to be found. But I suggest that you don’t sleep on this adaptation of a George R.R. Martin novella. What it loses in scale, it begins to make up for in rich characters and a plot that moves like a slowmoving medieval feast on wheels. And the battle scene in the final episode is as visceral and realistic as any hand-to-hand combat scene you’re likely to find anywhere. Biggest mixed bag: “DTF St. Louis” (13 nominations) Although paced and structured as a murder mystery, “DTF St. Louis” is really a study in masculinity and the elasticity of conventional heterosexual love, friendship, and intimacy. Both David Harbour and Jason Bateman give tender, appropriately disorienting performances. Unfortunately, the whole is not always equal to the sum of its parts. While “DTF St. Louis” tries to explore original and complex television territory, it often feels muddled and pretentious.

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Emmy category most bereft of quality: outstanding movie To be fair, as someone who grew up during a time of linear network-only television, calling something a “made for TV movie” has always been somewhat of a slur. Still, now that the lines between big screen releases and streaming have blurred over the years, you would think that the same ecosystem that produced, say, “The Last of Us” and “Severance” in the last couple of years could muster up a decent feature-length movie. Wrong. A quick walk down this year’s supposedly best-of-TV-movie lane is strewn with content that ranges from mediocre to straightup embarrassing. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” is an unfortunate marriage of “My Octopus Teacher” and a “let’s stumble upon family secrets” afterschool special; “Heads of State,” starring Idris Elba and John Cena, is an action buddy flick barely dressed up as a behind-enemylines political comedy-thriller; the stars of “People We Meet on Vacation” are charming and good looking, but they can’t save this anemic romcom that expects us to believe

that two people can be so utterly clueless about their mutual attraction; “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War” manages to take one of the smarter spycraft franchises, which includes “The Hunt for Red October” and “Patriot Games,” and turns it into a rote, nonsensical slog; “Miss You, Love You” at least has greater emotional ambitions than the rest of the entries, but ultimately it is a second-rate drama better suited for the stage. The best of the best: “Pluribus” “Pluribus” is the breakout series star of the season. As I wrote last week, “the most compelling feature of ‘Pluribus’ is the conceit at the heart of its plot: An extraterrestrial virus infects almost every human on the planet, transforming each person from an unique-minded individual to an extension of a hive mind … However, the most satisfying triumph of ‘Pluribus’ is what writer/creator Vince Gilligan does once he has gifted us this storyline. Instead of jump-scares from the ‘Living Dead’ playbook, we get a darkly funny meditation on the mechanics of being a social animal and what makes us specifically human.”

(L-R) Idris Elba and John Cena in “Heads of State.” (Chiabella James/Prime photo)

Sterling K. Brown in “Paradise.” (Disney/Anne Marie Fox photo)

(L-R) Sienna Miller, Wendell Pierce and John Krasinski in “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War.” (Jonny Cournoyer/Prime Video photo)

(L-R) Rhea Seehorn and Carlos Manuel Vesga in “Pluribus.” (Apple TV photo)

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

AmNews FOOD Queens-based The Nourish Spot returns to the U.S. Open for a fifth year

What began as a cold DM became a new core memory and I am so grateful for it. A convergence of food, tennis, and entrepreneurship filled my spirit, and sharing it with my sister Heather made the moment more special. The Nourish Spot founder and CEO Dawn Kelly reached out to AmNewsFOOD to let us know that her Jamaica, Queensbased family business was returning to the U.S. Open for a fifth year. Knowing the Harlem businesses that have participated previously, like Melba’s and Fieldtrip, I was happy to hear that The Nourish Spot made it to the five-year mark. Ms. Kelly’s note inspired an investigation into how I could visit the U.S. Open, discovering and registering for Fan Week, only to wait until the last day, Saturday, August 29, to attend. But, yet again, it was all right on time. My sister was in town for work; she registered too, and a visit to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center would be the perfect location for sister time. I dressed for the occasion in my whites because, in my mind, this was the closest I was getting to Wimbledon. Skirt set, new Nikes, and my Althea Gibson Radical Dreams pin, and Heather and I were off on the 7 train to Queens. Now, I love tennis. I grew up taking lessons at the armory on 141st Street with the legendary Arvelia Myers and playing in the Jungle by the Polo Grounds. My sister and tennis? Not so much. However, she does love architecture and had never been to the U.S. Open, so there was still plenty for both of us to take in together. The last free day before the tournament began seemed to bring the entire city out. People watching was on 10, and tennis skirt outfits seemed to be the uniform of choice. One woman we met from Atlanta took it

perform on one of New York City’s largest international stages. Kelly told me The Nourish Spot is the only Black-owned food business vending at this year’s Open. The menu offered the kind of food Kelly felt was missing from her community: salads, açai bowls, smoothies, lemonades, and other fruit-forward drinks. “If you’re a salad girly, we have a Thankful Turkey Salad that’s all the rage,” she said. The salad combines honey turkey, kale, Craisins, and more with a “proprietary” green dressing. Dawn paired it with a spicy mango lemonade for me. Fab!. And the perfect light bite while at the Open. We heard that Venus Williams was practicing inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. My sister had never been inside. Watching her AmNewsFOOD Food Editor Kysha Harris (left) and The Nourish Spot Founder and CEO take in the architecture for the first time Dawn Kelly at the business’s concession during 2026 U.S. Open Fan Week in Flushing, was almost as satisfying as watching the Queens. (Kysha Harris photos) tennis. We sat together, talked, and cheered further with a manicure celebrating tennis: real vegetables, real fruit,” she said. The Nour- on Venus. A father and his young daughter tennis balls, rackets, a court, and a Wilson ish Spot opened its doors on Sept. 9, 2017. sitting in front of us made me smile about logo. We struck up one of those easy conThe transition from employee to entrepre- the future of the game. versations that happen when “we see each neur required another kind of education. This day now lives in my memory archive: other.” You know what I am saying. Kelly said her biggest early challenge was the train ride, walking the grounds, and watchThen came food. The Open always show- learning to run the business “efficiently, ef- ing my sister watch Venus play during her first cases the most coveted eateries in the city. fectively, and profitably.” She took business- visit to Arthur Ashe Stadium. But it began with This year’s top billing was Salt Hank’s, the development classes to better understand Dawn reaching out and inviting me to see viral French-dipped beef sando, and the balance sheets, profit-and-loss statements, what her family had built. Thank you. return of Coqodaq’s $100 nugget box with and the mechanics of sustaining a company. After the U.S. Open, the nourishing concaviar. The lines were crazy, but we decidHer path to the U.S. Open began with tinues in Jamaica, Queens, at 107-05 Guy R ed on Korean barbecue bowls from Korilla something much simpler: asking. “One of the Brewer Blvd., (718.526.2099). Stop in, supBBQ, ate, and caught up before walking the things I’m very proud of is [that] I’m very bold port, and stay for the great conversation. grounds to find a practice court. in terms of asking for what I want,” she said. I am looking forward to more from Dawn That was when I saw The Nourish Spot. The Nourish Spot’s first major opportu- and The Nourish Spot for years to come. There was Dawn behind the counter, her nity outside its brick-and-mortar location Thanks for reading and happy eating! smile brighter than the yellow and kelly was providing smoothies during the congreen she was wearing. She was proud to certs at Forest Hills Stadium. Once Kelly Kysha Harris is a chef, culinary producer, be there, proud that the business had re- understood the larger relationships around and food editor for the NY Amsterdam News. turned and ready to tell its story. the venue, she began asking about the As a consultant and owner of SCHOP!, a per“I’m a Harlem baby and a Queens lady,” Open — through stadium contacts, elect- sonalized food service in NYC for over 23 Kelly said. After leaving corporate America, ed officials, and people she knew from her years, she remains on the hunt for the city’s she and her family wanted to build some- community and board service. “One day we next great bite. Follow her on Instagram and thing the neighborhood could “relish and got a visit from the USTA, and voilà, here we on Facebook, @SCHOPnyc. be a part of.” The idea grew from Kelly’s own are five years later,” she said. Questions, comments, requests, feedback, health journey. “I realized that I couldn’t be That fifth year matters. Getting through invitations! Email us at AmNewsFOOD@ the only one in our community that needed the door is one thing; being invited back SCHOPnyc.com. Follow us on Instagram access to healthy food, access to real food, demonstrates that a small business can and Facebook, @NYAmNewsFOOD.

A Thankful Turkey Salad and spicy mango lemonade from The Nourish Spot, which returned to serve U.S. Open fans for a fifth year.

The Nourish Spot concession at the 2026 U.S. Open serves fresh juices, salads and other nourishing options.

KYSHA HARRIS

FOOD EDITOR, @SCHOPNYC

A Korean barbecue bowl from Korilla BBQ was among the food offerings available during 2026 U.S. Open Fan Week.

A father and daughter watch practice together inside Arthur Ashe Stadium during 2026 U.S. Open Fan Week.

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September 2026 Dance Calendar By CHARMAINE PATRICIA WARREN Special to the AmNews The fall season of dance begins now. The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, upon invitation by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council “to make a work in response to our current American moment,” will premiere “Curriculum IV: Spin and Spin! Turn! Turn! Turn!” The 19-person ensemble piece blends choreography and a live original score by Samora Pinderhughes to powerfully weave together reflections on loss, love, freedom, and resilience. “Jones and Pinderhughes’ collaboration forges an intergenerational bridge as both artists search within themselves and their respective creative interests to meditate on loss, and their distinct responses to the 25-year aftermath of 9/11 and other cataclysms spiraling into our era of loss of freedom, speech, movement, and justice,” notes the release. “Curriculum IV: Spin and Spin! Turn! Turn! Turn!”, a world premiere will run Sept. 10 and 12-13 at Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park. Performances are free with RSVP at newyorklivearts.org. ALSO THIS MONTH:

Sept. 23 - 25: Beyond The Black Box returns to TRISK with “THE BLACK BLACK BLACK WEEK” and will feature performances by Imani Gaudin, Catherine Kirk, Curtis Thomas, Alexander Diaz, Alexa Grae, Myssi Robinson, Maria Bauman, Kayla Farrish, and Dava Huesca. Find out more at triskelionarts.org. Sept. 24: As part of “OPEN STUDIOS” at CPR in the evening titled “not even tomorrow can deliver you from today,” curated by Keioui Keijaun Thomas, Alex Patrick Dyck, Zora Jade Khiry, and Maxi Hawkeye Canion are featured. Find out more at cprnyc.org.

Sept. 17: A.I.M by Kyle Abraham brings Abraham’s newest collaborative work, “White Space”, made with composers Jason Moran and Nico Muhly, to Peak Performance in Montclair, New Jersey. Find out more at peakperfs.org. Sept. 17: As part of “OPEN STUDIOS” at CPR, Stefanie Batten Bland curates an evening that explores the audience/performer relationship within other spaces with Mizuho Kappa, JoyBoy, and Miguel Miranda. Find out more at cprnyc.org.

Sept. 7 - 21: For Citizen Arts International: A Citywide Festival of Multidisciplinary performance in public spaces, there will be free performances from across the globe in neighborhoods throughout NYC’s five boroughs. Sept. 18 - 19: Miro Magloire New Chamber Find out more at citizenartsinternational.org. Ballet returns to Mark Morris Dance Center with repertoire and new works. Find out Sept. 12: Creative Performances presents more at newchamberballet.com. “StylePointe,” bringing together some of New York City’s emerging and established Sept. 18 - 20: China Arts and Entertainment fashion designers to showcase their collec- Group presents the New York debut of the tions in collaboration with choreographers dance drama “MULAN” choreographed by during New York Fashion Week. Featured Zhou Liya and Han Zhen, produced and dance companies are: Dance Visions NY, performed by China Ningbo Performance DoubleTake Dance, Katie Binder, Leighann & Arts Group, at the David H. Koch Theater Kowalsky, Michelle Thompson, and Taylor at Lincoln Center. Find out more at davidGordon. Find out more at dixonplace.org/. hkochtheater.com. Sept. 12: At Kaatsbaan Cultural Park’s 2026 Annual Festival in Tivoli, NY, the festival closes with performances by EVIDENCE, MasterZ at Work, and more. Find out more at kaatsbaan.org.

Sept. 24 - 26: At Baryshnikov Arts, Kashia Kancey will premiere “I Believed It Too,” a dance-theatre work that explores labor, Abraham, Jamar Roberts, and more. Find desire, performance, and self-destruction out more at nycballet.com. through a boisterous, sweaty, and glamorous concert centered on a performer Sept. 22 - Oct. 3: The 23rd annual Fall for trapped inside a destructive false reality. Dance Festival will again offer an interna- Find out more at baryshnikovarts.org. tional array of dance artists and companies in five programs. Featured will be works by Sept. 25 - 26: Barkha Patel will present Robbie Fairchild, Pony Cam, the Vienna “icchā,” a 60-minute solo kathak work State Ballet, Lior Tavori Dance Company, weaving original music, film, set design, PHILADANCO!, Juan Tomás De la Molía, and Gujarati folk form garba that explores A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Miami City Ballet, the body as a vessel for ancestral memory and Martha Graham Dance Company. Find and inherited longing. Find out more at out more at nycitycenter.org. https://tickets.tribecapac.org/.

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company in rehearsal. (Cole Witter photo)

Sept. 19: Ayodele Casel is joined by collaborators — including a USA Solo Beatbox Champion, a sand dancer, a body percussionist, and others — for a special performance with live music that explores the body as an instrument, presented in conSept. 15 - Nov. 21: The multidisciplinary junction with the exhibition “Musical festival that celebrates the convergence of Bodies.” Find out more at metmuseum.org. Black and Latinx artistry through dance, theater, music, literature, ritual, and perfor- Sept. 19 - 20: Ballet Hispánico will permance, The BlakTinX Performance Series, form excerpts of works by Artistic Director returns to BAAD! Find out more at baad- & CEO Eduardo Vilaro and Pedro Ruiz, plus bronx.org. a screening of the documentary “The Essence of Us,” directed by Nel Shelby, filmed Sept. 16 - 20: At The Mark O’Donnell The- in Cuba, and captures Ruiz’s process while ater, celebrating 50 years, the Thelma Hill creating a new work on Malpaso Dance Performing Arts Center will offer tributes Company. Find out more at 92ny.org. to the visionaries who built the organization and will honor Ms. Thelma Hill, Larry Sept. 22 - May 30: New York City Ballet’s Phillips, Melvin C. Davis, and Alex Smith, 2026-27 Season at the David H. Koch TheJr. See the impressive list of longstanding ater at Lincoln Center with repertory works, artists and find out more at thelmahill.org. premieres, plus additional works by Kyle

LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS

LEGACIES OF SAN JUAN HILL FESTIVAL

September 27-October 30 FREE OR CHOOSE-WHAT-YOU-PAY Explore More LincolnCenter.org/SanJuanHill Contemporary Dance is made possible by the Pasculano Collaborative for Contemporary Dance Lynne and Richard Pasculano, Founding Donors NewYork-Presbyterian is the Official Hospital of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts United Airlines is the Supporting Airline of Lincoln Center Presents Steinway & Sons is the Preferred Piano Partner of Lincoln Center We are grateful to our Board of Directors for their leadership and generous support in making our work possible

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Farewell, Flo Anthony By MICHAEL HENRY ADAMS Special to the AmNews

In homage to Flo, her sorority members wore red, the sisterhood’s color. Resplendent in a scarlet jacket embellished with rhinestones, sporting gold chains with diamond pendants and a dramatic mane of golden tresses, Flo’s goddaughter, publicist Alvania Alston, told us, “Ordinarily I have black hair. But tonight, in honor of Flo, I’m blond!” Speaking poignantly of personal trials, she concluded philosophically concerning Flo’s ordeal with cancer this past year. This theme was most memorably taken up when Angelica Billalobos, one of Flo’s round-the-clock caregivers, addressed us. “We started out as strangers, but I came to love Ms. Flo. Love is not always sunshine and flowers. Many of us know what it’s like to have an intimate relationship with some-

one who’s suffering. One moment they will tell you, ‘I love you,’ and then, the next moment, due to hurting, they might just as easily say, ‘I hate you.’ But once you come to know someone, you know the truth. “One day, Ms. Flo said, ‘I know I am dying, but I want my old life back, the way it used to be!’ I told her, ‘No, Ms. Flo, you’ve had a great life! You are a fighter! You are going to beat this!’” Born Florence Anthony on March 4, 1952, in Mississippi, as confirmed by her PR rep, before moving with her family to Flo was the first African American to become a cheerleader at her high school. Lauded as an iconic journalist, media personality, and author, Flo was also praised for her love of Howard

Alvina Alston and Pastor John Dillard. (Michael Henry Adams photos)

NBA great Johnny Newman, MC for Flo Anthony’s memorial dinner at Sylvia's Also.

Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, who Flo called her sister from another mother.

Lou Willard Hoffman, who knew Flo because her late first husband Richard Willard was an executive at Atlantic Records. Lou’s late second husband, Stanley Hoffman, was also a record producer, before becoming a boxing manager and fight promoter.

Heavyweight champion Iran Barkley.

A large assembly of friends and admirers gathered early on Tuesday night, Sept. 1, to bid adieu to our irrepressible super-soul sister, Florence “FLO” Anthony, aka Mrs. Michael Spinks. Flo left us last month, far too soon, at just 74. Our hosts were Angelo Ellerbee, Helen Shelton, and Roz Nixon. Their memorial tribute took the form of an old-fashioned roast chicken dinner at Sylvia's Also. Wrapping up with peach cobbler, it concluded with few left untouched by so momentous a send-off. NBA great Johnny Newman, sharp as a tack in a smart pinstriped suit Flo would have loved, was the able master of cere-

monies. Right away, he called for a round of applause, not only for our hosts, but for Jamie Smith, Alvina Alston, Lisa Arcella, Shelley Ann Brooks, and Theresa Bowick, who assisted in producing this big event. After dinner, cooling drinks and lively conversation, we had a eulogy and prayer from Pastor John Dillard. Several of Flo’s Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters and Howard classmates spoke affectingly. One was retired Administrative Illinois Judge Sharon E. Strickland Williams. She related that because she came from Chicago, Flo first used her hometown as a nickname to address her. “Later she shortened it to just Go. From then on, it was Flo and Go whenever it came to organizing boat rides and parties for the weekend, anything to raise money,” she said.

When they were sorority sisters at Howard, Flo called now-retired Administrative Illinois Judge Sharon E. Strickland Williams “Go.”

See FLO ANTHONY on page 24

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New York artist A.K. Lovelace builds future creative generations at Harlem School of the Arts By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews His artwork is bold and decisive with themes that reflect the Black experience, resilience, and creative energy. A.K. Lovelace is a comic book artist, illustrator, and cocreator of “City of Walls,” a fascinating, intricate comic series. “By the fact that I have been able to produce and have success in the field, I look to impact culture because when I was growing up that wasn’t a common thing,” he said. “There weren’t a lot of comic book artists who looked like me. Being part of that cohort of Black artists that practice the artform and have been able to produce things of significance, it’s being able to tell great stories that include the Black experience. My comic, ‘City of Walls’ [available on webtoons.com], it was very important to me that one of the characters was Black. That was an organic process.” In addition to making art, Lovelace has served as director of the media and design department at the Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) since 2021. HSA offers interdisciplinary arts programming to students ages 2 to 18. “Harmony in mission, unity in vision,” HSA notes on its website. Empowering youth to reach their full potential in the arts, education, and life through interdisciplinary arts training that celebrates the rich complexity of their community. HSA values inclusivity, artistic excellence, and community engagement, fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for students to explore their creative passions and reach their full potential. Lovelace understands how a young person can be drawn to art, because that was his own experience. In an accelerated program

Artist A.K. Lovelace. (Images courtesy of the artist)

in elementary school, he made a book of animal drawings for a class project. Once his grandmother got him his first comic book, his artistic drive locked into place. After attending the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan and earning a bachelor’s degree at the School of Visual Arts, he began doing professional comic work. “I put together and pitched a comic book art program,” Lovelace said about his start as a teacher. After a break from teaching he returned with a fervor, beginning his work as an instructor at HAS in 2017. “My entire credo when it came to teaching in general is I wanted to reach kids like me, who had a talent and a gift but did not know what went into pursuing it at the higher and professional levels,” he

Lovelace’s “Blues Singer,” inspired by the Charles Cullen poem “Colored Blues Singer.”

said. “There was an enormous amount of guessing and kind of haphazard fumbling through my development as a professional artist until I got to high school or even college. I wanted to try to connect with students that were really interested and had the chops for doing this and show them what it is to actually sit down and develop a comic, develop characters, and how a comic actually goes together.” Founded in 1964, HSA is a historically renowned Black arts center in the heart of Harlem, a history which resonated with Lovelace. As director of media and design, he works with students across multiple forms of media, designing what the programmatic offerings look like. These range from fundamentals to specialized disci-

Lovelace’s “Thoughts on a Zoo.”

plines, including comics, animation, and commercial art. In addition, he works with the teaching artists to build curricula. “Be honest with your work in terms of the time you put into it,” Lovelace said about the mindset he emphasizes to his students. “One of the very basic ideas of art creation, it’s an adjustment that every student goes through … is you work on a concept for this piece and you have to do it a few times. You have to put it through a process. It’s a fundamental principle of arts creation.” It’s important to show the students that there is a destination for the work that they produce. Student designs have appeared at the local Harlem H&M, and there have been multiple exhibitions of student work across New York City. Lovelace started a mural program, and students produced several murals for Wollman Rink in Central Park. A law firm contacted HSA and requested artwork for Black History Month. The firm created a gallery of student artwork; pieces were sold and students received a cut of the sales. The experience now appears on their resumes, and the work went into their portfolios. “It’s one thing to draw a three-page story; it’s another thing to see that story actually printed in some sort of periodical that you can hold, share, promote, and even sell,” Lovelace explained. “That is a different level of understanding and it’s a grounding in the real world that gives the process a visceral validity.” Lovelace believes this is an important moment for Black artists to share their work. “The Black experience is a unique experience and it matters; it needs to have its existence known, understood, and platformed,” he said. “It brings a lot of insight if we are to have better harmony as a multiethnic and diverse society.”

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Jazz Notes Continued from page 17

to pushing it further ahead in our respective ways,” said Matt. They will be joined by Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra/Winnie Dahlgren/Aaron Goldberg, all presenting their music inspired by John and Alice Coltrane, and Jimmy. “I specifically asked for that to be the directive of this celebration,” Matt noted. “I wanted something that they heard from those progenitors of the art form, that was then synthesized into their own language and set forth for this festival.” Special guests will include Stanley Clarke, Reggie Workman, and John Patitucci. For a complete listing, visit shapeshifterplus.org. The 16th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival will take place September 17–20, 2026 in Downtown Pittsburgh, centered on Liberty Avenue and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center,

Cassandra Wilson at the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival. (Jonathan Chimene photo)

doesn’t stop), Eric Roberson, Orrin Evans, Lady Blackbird (categorized as a jazz vocalist but she packs the timber of a soulster with deep gospel roots. If she just sings “I’ll Fix It,” I’m good, but her repertoire is much more diverse than that one tune and just as captivating). The 2026 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) marks its 16th edition and celebrates Our America250, honoring the cultural impact of jazz, soul, blues, gospel, and R&B not only on these United States but the world. Most performances are free and held outdoors on Liberty Avenue, with additional ticketed concerts at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC). For a complete schedule, visit Pittsburghjazzfest.org.

featuring artists Lalah Hathaway, Terri Lyne Carrington, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie (the legendary elder of this festival that boasts of recordings with James Brown “Say It Loud, I’m Black and Proud”), avant gardist Albert

Ayler, Nina Simone, Wilson Pickett, Benny Golson, Herbie Hancock, Shirley Scott, Louis Editor's Note: Last week’s column misArmstrong, the Five Stairsteps, Dizzy Gil- stated the given name of The Pocket's lespie, Eddie Palmieri, Aretha Franklin, Gil co-owner. He is Martin Porter, not Paul Scott-Heron, Bette Midler, (and his beat Martin. We apologize for this error.

University, her alma mater. She was a proud Alpha chapter member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; from centerpieces to a closing photo shoot, the organization’s ceremonial was a recurrent theme. We learned that Flo was the first African American woman to work in the sports department of the New York Post. She went on to become the first African American in the Post’s Entertainment section, contributing to the renowned Page Six. Flo further pioneered as the first African American woman to write a column in a supermarket tabloid with her Eye on the Stars column in the National Examiner. Long before we met several years ago, I was aware of her “Go with the Flow” column for the Amsterdam News. Al-

though I did not write for the paper then, she already knew of my book Harlem Lost and Found and offered encouraging words of praise. Whether because of it or for some other reason, Flo welcomed me as a friend immediately. I was hardly unique. If she liked you, Flo had a knack for instant affection and interest. A humanitarian, she liked most people. Certainly, she had a genius for being able to engage with anyone. Flo spoke of Jean Shafiroff, the philanthropic Park Avenue-South Hampton socialite, as “my sister from another mother!” At the memorial, Jean remarked about their close friendship and the many times she and her husband Martin dined with Flo and Michael Spinks at her friend’s favorite Asian restaurant. Thanks to Flo specializing in boxing journalism and PR, she and Spinks had known each other for more than 40 years.

In recent years, when they were together at Jean’s cocktail parties, it was a delight watching their once-intermittent romance rekindled. It evolved rapidly from something lighthearted into something that seemed destined and profound. Finally, last January, they married. “Flo loved being in love!” said Williams. Ultimately, what best sums up a welllived life, with plenty of firsts and, Flo told me last summer, “too few regrets to be worth complaining about”? “They say,” she continued, “you mostly regret what you don’t do. That’s why I’ve tried just about everything I wanted to!” On Tuesday, our answer at Sylvia’s Also was a song, a resounding rendition of “My Girl.” Everyone joined in. Our clapping and laughter competed loud and heartily to give the piano a run for its money. And then, again and again, we toasted, “Here’s to you, Flo! Way to go!”

Eugenia Foxworth.

The great Charles Oakley.

Angelica Billalobos, one of Flo’s dedicated caregivers.

Flo Anthony Continued from page 22

Michael Henry Adams with Jean Shafiroff. (Michael Henry Adams photos)

Smiling friend enjoys reminiscing about Flo Anthony.

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Harlem Continued from page 3

research...they just wanted to be out of the place very much,” Gary said. “That hurts me so bad.” Her supporters are raising $100,000 for lodging, storage, and to hire a new lawyer for her. There is an online campaign on the crowdfunding website Chuffed, and Tio’s Bistro in Harlem is holding a fundraiser. Response not enough Her case appears to fall within the deed theft/predatory real estate realm threatening Black neighborhoods in Harlem, Brooklyn, and Queens — areas where rising property values endanger longtime owners.

BNY

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged that this is a crisis, and, on April 24, he established the Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention, appointing Peter White as director. The agency is tasked with working with agencies like the Sheriff’s Office, Housing Preservation and Development, district attorneys, and the state attorney general to protect homeowners and increase enforcement against scammers who have targeted seniors, immigrants, and owners in historically Black neighborhoods. But Byars says the promised response from the Deed Theft Prevention Office has not been there for people like Patricia Gary. She said the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft has asked for a direct meeting with the mayor because it is concerned that the Deed Theft Prevention

help someone else.” The responses to her twoContinued from page 5 part series, she tells me, thus far from her readers have all been “Writing those books has been moving. Thompson shares that a way of understanding my own readers were “deeply emotionlife and giving my younger self a al,” with many reaching out on voice,” she reflected. “I wanted social media to share how her parents, educators, social work- story mirrored their own untold ers, and other adults to under- struggles. stand that sometimes what looks “The meaningful part of it is like a ‘difficult child’ is actually a that people tell me they’ve cried child who’s hurting. I hope that it while reading that certain part creates understanding, compas- of my story reminded them of sion, and conversation that can their own life, that they felt like

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Office is not yet ready to help people who are growing desperate. “You call 311; there is no Office of Deed Theft. You call the line, you don’t get through,” Byars complained. “The people who they brought on have no experience in this area.” Byars said Stop Deed Theft has been able to connect families to lawyers and resources, and it does not have the kind of infrastructure City Hall now has. “How come the mayor’s office can’t do it?” she asked. “We were supposed to together establish this office, and that is not happening.” Answering to the lack of an adequate response, a spokesperson with the Department of Finance shared a statement with the AmNews. “We have worked to build the systems

they were seen, or were experiencing some of what I’ve been through and never knew how to put it into words for themselves. That reminds me that the book is doing what it’s supposed to do. For me, that means more than just selling a book.” Both “Unchosen” and “Unprotected” are available on Amazon in paperback and hardcover, with signed copies available directly from 9.6” her. A free chapter of “Unchosen” is available on her stan store.

and infrastructure necessary to address the ongoing threat of deed theft,” the statement said. “We have received more than 200 deed theft referrals through our new online portal and have communicated with individuals that submitted an intake to the office.” They say there have been more than two dozen referrals to law enforcement agencies for investigation. They also encouraged any possible victims to contact the office at the website nyc.gov/deedtheft. Patricia Gary has now taken up residence in a hotel room and put much of her life’s work in storage, but she’s not giving up on getting back inside her house. “That’s my house. I paid with my soul for that house,” Gary asserts. “God gave me that house. That’s my house.”

As she shares her plans for the future, Thompson isn’t stopping at two books. She is currently planning to turn this into a fourpart memoir series, covering her life from 21 to 35, and a last book from 35 to the current day. In addition to adult memoirs, she is working on expanding her stories into children’s literature with an upcoming title, “Chosen,” designed to deliver age-appropriate stories to younger readers. Moving forward, Thompson also plans to

host workshops and communityfacilitated gatherings on topics surrounding trauma recovery, motherhood, storytelling, and helping adults and children find their voice. “Writing these books has healed me in ways I didn’t expect,” she said. “The advice I would give to anyone going through something difficult is not to let what happened to you become the only definition of who you are. Permit yourself to heal.”

EVERY TICKET SOLD BENEFITS NEW YORK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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Looking back at AmNews coverage of Sept. 11, 2001

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Divine Nine News Continued from page 9

Laugh at my old mistakes and understand that everything happened to give me the courage to strike out on my own and create a life I love. Like my sorors, something has reawakened inside of me. I get to speak on global stages, create a community I want, and walk amongst my sisters. I wrote my first book at 40. My sixth book debuts at age 47. I am so glad I listened to myself and pro(Photos courtesy of Precious L. Williams.) ceeded to do the very things that seemed impossible to others. again? Can we have the audacity and unmitigated gall to dream big and ask bigger 2. Decide What This Chapter Means of everyone, including ourselves? Can we to You: This glorious middle chapter is dare to act differently whether we are exan amazing second chapter if you let troverts, ambiverts, or introverts? What is it be. Rather than look at it as a trap or your big dream? Go after it! simply the road to senior citizenville, what My great friend, Andrew, asked me a if we all get to redefine it and truly live question about my business and life, and it? Let’s face it: Waking up alive every day I answered it like I normally do. He asked is a gift. Let’s make it that way. Let’s cele- it again and suddenly the answer changed brate! Let’s live, laugh, and love different- because I saw what he was really asking ly. Try new things. Break out of the roles me. I got scared and hesitant, yet I finally society and ourselves set for us. Glow- said what I wanted out loud. It felt so good ing up means seeing things differently. and yet so scary. Now, over the next year or Trying new things, eating at new places, so, I will unleash it on the world. Is there going outside and walking around just fear? Yes? Am I scared? Yes! Most people because. You might bring a new perspec- don’t finish what they started. I am chaltive to things. You might see yourself and lenging myself to do so, and I will. nature totally differently. If you dare. They Queens, it’s our time to shine! This is define this chapter as middle age. What do our sunrise, not our sunset, so let’s seize you want to define it as? it. Won’t you join me on the “40 Year Plus Glow Up Playbook Experience” and jour3. The Audacity and Unmitigated Gall ney? In these pages is life. Come get more to Go After What You Want: Trust me: As a of that today! trailblazer, it can be hard because there are To get the new book, visit 40yearplusno guarantees. However, you only have one glowup.com. life to live. As we have gotten into our 40s, Book Launch Events in September NYC: 50s, 60s, and beyond, what have we buried, preciouslwilliams.com/events. saying it could never happen? What dream To find out more about Precious L. Wilis dying in us? Can we dust it off and try liams, visit preciouslwilliams.com.

Precious Williams, graduate of Spelman College, will be speaker at National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Northeast Regional Conference. (Flyer provided by Precious Williams)

Precious L. Williams portrait. (Jerky Bear Productions photo)

30 • September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Brooklyn Dems reformers push forward with lawsuit against rule changes By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff The fight inside the Brooklyn Democratic Party continues as the New Kings Dems (NKD), or the primarily white-led reformer group, filed a lawsuit last week to halt the rule changes put forth by Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the first Black and Haitian woman to hold the position of party chair. Bichotte Hermelyn proposed new rules that would allow newly elected officers and representatives from every district full voting rights. The NKD slammed these amendments as “packing” the committee with more seats so she could possibly get re-elected in the future, undoing their reported majority of votes among the committee that they gained in the June primary this year. Regardless of controversy, even among other Black district leaders, the committee voted on and passed the new rules on Aug. 25,

delay so that each district leader on the docket could secure legal representation. The hearing was pushed back a day, and the proceedings resumed on September 8. “We’re here because we believe in democracy,” said Julio Peña III, district leader and NKD-endorsed replacement candidate for party chair, in a Sept. 3 Instagram post. “This is really damaging to the Democratic brand as an institution. We have been having conversations with folks who are not normally in our coalition to talk about how we can continue moving forward together against these proposals.” Bichotte Hermelyn maintains that the changes aren’t “illegal” and scoffed at the accusations in a recent Instagram post of her own. “Y’all have been out organized again. Focused. Unshaken. ForMembers of New Kings Democrats held a press conference in front of court on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. (Photo ward Brooklyn,” said Bichotte contributed by Bryan Maygers) Hermelyn in the post. at a contentious meeting held in The feuding factions took it to the initial hearing was held in Amsterdam News reached out to the Thomas Jefferson Democratic court Wednesday, Sept. 2. The Kings County Supreme Court. Bichotte Hermelyn for comment Club in Mill Basin, Brooklyn. NKD posted in an update that Bichotte Hermelyn requested a but she declined.

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Zohran Kwame Mamdani Mayor Alister F. Martin, MD, MPP Commissioner

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 31

CL ASSIFIED ADS 100 PUBLIC NOTICES

RULES AND REGULATIONS CANCELLATIONS must be made in writing by 12 Noon Monday. The forwarding of an order is construed as an acceptance of all advertising rules and conditions under which advertising space is sold by the NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS. Publication is made and charged according to the terms of this card. Rates and regulations subject to change without notice. No agreements as to position or regulations, other than those printed on this. Til forbid orders charged for rate earned. Increases or decreases in space take the rate of a new advertisement. The New York AMSTERDAM NEWS reserves the right to censor, reject, alter or revise all advertisements in accordance with its rules governin g the acceptance of advertising and accepts no liability for its failure to insert an advertisement for any cause. Credit for errors in advertisements allowed only for first insertion. CLASSIFIED • Classified advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classification. Four line minimum on all ads except spirituals and horoscopes (14 lines). CLASSIFIED DISPLAY • Classified Display (boarder or picture) advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classification. Display (boarder or picture) advertisements one column wide must be 14 lines deep; two columns, 28 lines deep; 3 columns, 56 lines deep. Classified Display (boarder or picture) placed as close to classifications as rules and makeup permit. CLASSIFICATIONS All advertisement accepted for publication is classified according to the standard classifications. Misclassification is not permitted. BASIS OF CHARGE Charges are based on point size and characters per line. Upon reaching 15 lines the rate converts to column inch. Any deviation from solid composition such as indentation, use of white space, bold type, etc., will incur a premium. In Case of error, notify the Amsterdam News 212-932-7440

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that a license, number #NA-0340-26124408 for Beer, Wine &Amp; Liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Beer, Wine &Amp; Liquor at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 21 E. 16 Th St., New York, NYC, 10003, New York County for on premises consumption. Mahazan Inc., Mahazan Inc.

against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Good Timing Platform, LLC: 110 West 40th Street, Suite 1500, New York, NY 10018. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Cindy Kadet, 65 Central Park West, Apt. 1G, NY, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

lem Children’s Zone Promise Academy II Charter School Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 4:30 PM at 245 West 129th Street, New York, NY.

service, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, signed the Honorable day of 20_ at New York. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage on the following property: 25-002664-NY 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, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:- BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 118TH STREET, DISTANT 259 FEET 6 INCHES EASTERLY FROM THE CORNER FORMED BY THE INTERSECTION OF THE SOUTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 118TH STREET (60 FEET WIDE) WITH THE EASTERLY SIDE OF MADISON AVENUE (80 FEET WIDE); RUNNING THENCE SOUTHERLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE SOUTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 118TH STREET, 100 FEET 11 INCHES TO A POINT; RUNNING THENCE EASTERLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE LAST MENTIONED COURSE, 19 FEET 10 INCHES TO A POINT; RUNNING THENCE NORTHERLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE NORTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 118TH STREET, 100 FEET 11 INCHES TO THE SOUTHERLY SIDE OF EAST

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that a license, number #NA-0340-26121166 for Beer, Wine &Amp; Liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Beer, Wine &Amp; Liquor at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1481 York Ave. , New York, NYC 10075, New York County for on premises consumption. Gambetta 31-Akbou 06 Inc., Gambetta 31-Akbou 06 Inc. Notice of formation of Revolutionary Therapeutic Services, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/30/2026. 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 Shakeem E. Holmes: Shakeemh@ yahoo.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Prompt Studios, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/02/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Prompt Studios, LLC: 140 Broadway 28th Floor New York, NY 10005. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Afterglow NYC LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/09/2026. 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 Katie Rue: 45 Orchard St, Storefront, New York, NY, 10002. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Good Timing Platform, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/11/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process

Notice of formation of Lindi Gordon Photography LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/02/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to ZenBusiness: RA@ ZenBusiness.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of VCW JV, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/10/26. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 370 Lexington Ave., 23rd Fl., NY, NY 10017. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of PHIPPS SOLAR I, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/04/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Phipps Houses, 257 Park Ave. South, 12th Fl., NY, NY 10010. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of LUCID MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/10/26. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 1 Saint St., Apt. 2, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Purpose: Any lawful activity. SKYLARK TALENT MANAGEMENT, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 07/16/2024. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 192 East 3rd Street, Apt, 4A, New York, NY 10009. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of 65 CPW 1G LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/02/26. Office location: NY

108 HIGH POND RD LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/03/26. 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, 251 Central Park West, Apartment 8A, New York, NY 10024. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. GALLIUM PRESS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/03/26. 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, 15 West 67th Street, Suite 4FW, New York, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of WHITTINGHAM LAW PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/29/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of PLLC: 3 Columbus Circle, Fl. 15, NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the PLLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Law. Notice of Authority of RLB Official LLC. App. for Auth. filed with SSNY on 12/3/25. Offc. Loc: NY Cty. SSNY desig. for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, c/o Square Seven Management, LLC, 15 E 26th St, Ste 602, NY, NY 10010. Purpose: any lawful purpose MTA New York City Transit Non-Construction Solicitation Notice SSE #: B40722 DUE DATE: 10/19/2026 TITLE: Furnish and Deliver 650 Low Floor 40-Foot Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Buses. Info for the solicitation can be found on https://www.mta.info/ doing-business-with-us/procurement/new-york-city-transit This is to announce that the next open meeting of the Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy I Charter School Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 4:30 PM at 245 West 129th Street, New York, NY. This is to announce that the next open meeting of the Har-

STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NEW YORK NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, V. Plaintiff, ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE LATE ANTONIA MOCZO, IF LIVING, AND IF ANY BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS WHO ARE SPOUSES, WIDOWS, GRANTEES, MORTGAGEES, LIENORS, HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF SUCH OF THEM AS MAY BE DEAD, AND THEIR SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF RESIDENCE ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF; ANTHONY WAYNE NICOLEAU INDIVIDUALLY AND AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANTONIA MOCZO; THE CITY OF NEW YORK, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION ACTING BY AND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT; CITY OF NEW YORK PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; CITY OF NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; JOHN DOE (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #1; JOHN DOE (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #2; JOHN DOE (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #3; JOHN DOE (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #4; JOHN DOE (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #5 Defendants. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: Index No.: 850568/2025 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Property Address: 68 E 118TH ST New York, NY 10035 Block: 1623 Lot: 42 YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a 25-002664-NY copy of your answer, or if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorneys within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of

32 • September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

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118TH STREET; RUNNING THENCE WESTERLY ALONG THE SOUTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 118TH STREET, 19 FEET 10 INCHES TO THE POINT OR PLACE OF BEGINNING. Subject to easements, covenants, and restriction of record. These premises are also known as 68 E 118TH ST, New York, NY 10035. Dated: 9/1/2026 25-002664-NY Aleaten Oleksiy Lunhu, Esq. Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 39 Broadway, Suite 1840 New York, NY 10006 Tel.: (800) 2806205

Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

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 at the New York County Courthouse, room assignment will be posted outside of room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on September 22, 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

in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, Block: 1011 Lot: 4089. Approximate amount of judgment $1,863,650.44 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850164/2023. Allison Furman, Esq., Referee Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street Rochester, NY 14614 SPSNC846 91290

UM;

Notice is hereby given that Application ID Number NA-034026-115505 for a On-Premises Restaurant liquor license has been applied for by the undersigned to permit the service of beer, wine and spirits in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at Aroqua – Progressive Indian by Spice Rack located at 206 9 th Avenue, New York in New York County for on-premises consumption. Spice Rack NYC Inc., 206 9 th Avenue, New York, NY 10011. LEGAL POSTPONEMENT OF NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , CITIMORTGAGE, INC. , Plaintiff, vs. NICOLE M. CHRISTIE, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 21, 2025 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on September 29, 2026 at 2:15 PM, premises known as 300 W 135TH STREET, UNIT 7E, NEW YORK, NY 10030. The Condominium Unit (the “Unit”) in the Building known as Strivers Gardens Condominium located at and known as by street number 300 West 135 th Street, New York, New York, Block: 1959, Lot: 1053 formerly part of lot 31 with an undivided .4094 percent interest in Common Elements of the Condominium. Approximate amount of judgment is $136,087.19 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850043/2024. Prior sale was initially scheduled for September 1, 2026. 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, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. SOFIA BALILE, Esq., Referee

ALMA RANGEL GARDEN Waiting list has been re-opened and applications are now available for ALMA RANGEL GARDENS, a 88-unit HUD-subsidized building for elderly over 62 years old, with limited income, located at 55 West137th Street, in Manhattan. Eligibility will be based on Section 8 guidelines and HUD regulations. Interested persons may obtain an application by calling Alma Rangel Gardens at 917-5071108 or by writing to: ALMA RANGEL GARDENS Management Office 55 West 137th Street New York, NY 10037 Completed applications must be sent by regular mail to the P.O. Box indicated on the application. Duplicate applications will be dropped to the bottom of the list. Completed applications should be received by the deadline date of December 10th, 2026 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, in trust for the holders of UBSBarclays Mortgage Trust 2013C6, Commercial Mortgage Pass-through certificates, series 2013-C6, Plaintiff, vs. 240 Park Avenue South Owner LP, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on July 20, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction to be posted outside of Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on October 6, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 240 Park Avenue South, Commercial Storage Unit, A/K/A 240 Park Avenue South, A/K/A 49/55 East 19th Street, New York, New York and 240 Park Avenue South, Commercial Unit, A/K/A 240 Park Avenue South, A/K/A 49/55 East 19 Street, New York, NY 10940. 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 848 and Lot 1301 and 1302 together with an undivided 5.9491 and 4.2941 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $14,002,392.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850406/2024. Mark McKew, Esq., Referee Duane Morris, LLP, 22 Vanderbilt, 335 Madison Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, New York 10017-4669, Attorneys for Plaintiff NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY

Notice of Formation of SEAL PARK VENTURES LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/16/2026. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 245 8th Ave, #884, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: any lawful activity. NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK U.S. BANK NA, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, NA, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO LASALLE BANK NA, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE WAMU MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007- HY7, Plaintiff AGAINST TERRE SIEPSER SIMPSON A/K/A TERRE S. SIMPSON A/K/A TERRE SIMPSON A/K/A TERRE SIEPSE-SIMPSON; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 4, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, see posted location outside room 130, at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on October 6, 2026 at 2:15 pm, premises known as 106 Central Park South, Unit 3B, New York, NY 10019. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, Freedom Mortgage Corporation, Plaintiff, vs. Farhad M. Boukani, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on December 19, 2022 and a Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on July 29, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, to be posted outside of Room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on September 29, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 467 Central Park West a/k/a 467 West Central Park, Unit No. 1-D, New York, NY 10025. 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 1842 and Lot 1003 together with an undivided 0.4972 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $332,718.76 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850053/2019. Roberta Ashkin, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 2442011 NOTICE OF SALE Index No. 850660/2023

COMMISSIONER OF LABOR STATE OF NEW YORK; NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE; ROYAL BANK OF CANADA; PEARL DELTA FUNDING LLC; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; and NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU, Defendants. In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly made on June 4, 2026, and entered in the New York County Clerk’s Office on June 6, 2026, I, the undersigned, the referee, will now sell at public auction, at the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Center Street, New York, New York in room 252 on September 22, 2026, at 2:15 o’clock in the afternoon of that date, the premises directed by said judgment to be sold which are commonly known as 635 W. 42nd Street, Unit 2E, Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City of New York, State of New York, Assessment Roll: Tax Map No. 01090-1163. A complete legal description can be obtained upon request from plaintiff’s attorney. Judgment amount $842,896.62, plus interest, costs and expenses. Matthew D. Hunter, III, Esq. COOPER ERVING & SAVAGE, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 20 Corporate Woods Blvd., Ste. 501 Albany, New York 12211 (518) 449-3900 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES TRUST II,

MORTGAGED PROPERTY: 635 W. 42nd Street, Unit 2E, Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York 10036

-against-

Assessment Roll: Tax Map No. 01090-1163

NORTHWARD ESTATES LLC, ET AL.

Mortgage Servicer:

NOTICE OF SALE

Citizens Bank, N.A. d/b/a Citizens One Home Loans

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 September 29, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES TRUST II is the Plaintiff and NORTHWARD ESTATES LLC, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the NEW YORK COUNTY CIVIL SUPREME COURTHOUSE, 60 CENTRE STREET, NEW

Mortgage Service Telephone No.: 800-234-6002 SUPREME COURT STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK CITIZENS BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, -against- ANTHONY PERKINS a/k/a ANTHONY R. PERKINS a/k/a ANTHONY RAY PERKINS; CITIZENS BANK, N.A. f/k/a RBS CITIZENS, N.A.; THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE ATELIER CONDOMINI-

101 LEGAL NOTICES YORK, NY 10007, on October 13, 2026 at 2:15PM, premises known as 2573 FREDERICK DOUGLASS BLVD, UNIT A, A/K/A 300 WEST 138TH STREET, UNIT 2573A, A/K/A 300 WEST 138TH STREET, UNIT 2573, A/K/A 2573 8TH AVENUE, UNIT A, NEW YORK, NY 10030; and the following tax map identification: 2041-1119. THE UNIT KNOWN AS UNIT NO. 2773(A) LOCATED IN ST. CHARLES CONDOMINIUM IV LOCATED AT 2571-2579 FREDERICK DOUGLASS BOULEVARD, COUNTY, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK AND ALSO DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED AS UNIT NO. 2573(A) IN THE DECLARATION ESTABLISHING ST. CHARLES CONDOMINIUM IV, (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE “PROPERTY”) MADE BY THE SPONSOR/ DECLARANT AND GRANTOR UNDER THE CONDOMINIUM ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS AMENDED (ARTICLE 9-B OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK) Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 850647/2023. Paul R. Sklar, 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 SALE SUPREME COURT BRONX COUNTY PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff against ANGELA MCGHEE AS BENEFICIARY UNDER THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF STANFORD SHAW A/K/A STANDFORD SHAW, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP, 575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 224, Syosset, NY 11791. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered October 15, 2018, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at the Bronx County Courthouse, Courtroom 711 at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York on September 28, 2026 at 2:15PM. Premises known as 4084 Wilder Avenue, Bronx, New York 10466. Block 4984 Lot 33. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Edenwald, Borough and County of Bronx, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $137,370.70 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 32231/2015E. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 12th Judicial

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101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

195LEGAL HELP WANTED 101 NOTICES

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District’s Covid-19 Policies and the Bronx County foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Charlane Brown, Esq., Referee File # 17-0930

pany (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to The Secretary of State: 106 W, 117th St, New York, NY, 10026. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

pany (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Andrew Koff: PO Box 111 New York, NY 10028. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Catherine A Sullivan: 310 1st Ave Apt 7H, New York, NY 10009. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

pany (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to LegalZoomUSCA, Inc.: 124 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of 360 Event Supplies, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/21/2026. 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 The LLC: 228 Park Avenue South #201242 New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of STOREY GALLERY, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/25/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to STOREY GALLERY, LLC: 60 Russell St, Brooklyn, NY 11222. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Restorative Retreats, LLC . Arts. of Org. filed w/ Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/13/2026 . Off. loc.: New York Cnty. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 220 East 65th St, #11EF, New York, NY 10065. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of DROPPINGJEMZ LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/05/2026. 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 LEGALZOOM USCA, INC. 45 MAIN STREET, SUITE 238 BROOKLYN, NY, 11201, USA: DROPPINGEMZLLC@outloo.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Cavu Books LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/10/2026. 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 Elizabeth Anne Savery: 105 West 13 Street, Apt. 16D, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Great Northeast Properties, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/25/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Secretary of State of New York: 53 Union Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of WSA Culinary LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/11/2026. 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 c/o United Agent Group Inc.: 600 Mamaroneck Avenue #400, Harrison, NY 10528. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Gluck & Co. LLP. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/30/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Gluck & Co. LLP: info@gluckllp.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of In The Ether Productions LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/20/2026. 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 LegalZoom USCA, INC.: 45 Main Street Suite 28 Brooklyn,NY 11201. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Eagle Crest Facility Services LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/15/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Aldiana Hot: 105 Pinehurst Ave, Apt. Super, New York, NY 10033. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Hostage Families NY Story Project LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/20/2026. 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 Dana Cwaigrach: 27w 72nd st , 10023 NY. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Redman Protective Service LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/07/2026. 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 Ransford Redman: 40B Adler Place, Bronx, NY, 10475. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/18/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Mohammad Sadeghi Ghahareh: m.sadeghi@msgwe.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of BENOOSH LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/17/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Com-

Notice of formation of 10 Topaz EH, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/22/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Com-

Notice of formation of 803 Street, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/172026. 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 803 Street LLC: 66 Saint Nicholas Place Apartment 36A New York NY 10032. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Voyzant LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/13/2026. 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 VOYZANT LLC: ayesha@voyzantus.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of VYSE RENTALS , LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/27/2026. 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 LegalZoom USCA. INC : 45 MAIN STREET, SUITE 238 BROOKLYN, NY, 11201, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Older Sister Events, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/03/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process

Notice of formation of THE WONDER TREE LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/12/2026. 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 ENTITY PROTECT REGISTERED AGENT SERVICES LLC: 447 Broadway, 2nd Fl. - #3000, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Legal Management Tools, PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/29/2026. 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 Jacob Richman: jrichman@legalmgmttools.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Fushia Financials, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/16/2021. 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: 99 Wall Street Ste 5301, New York, NY 10005. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of NAPOLI BITES LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/01/2026. 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 REPUBLIC REGISTERED AGENT SERVICES INC.: 54 STATE STREET, STE 804 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Word of Mouf Catering LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/31/26. 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 Valerie Simms-Dixon: 156-20 Riverside Drive W apt 5i New York, New York 10032. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Sancta Tribeca, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/24/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Com-

Notice of formation of Show Stop Tickets, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/29/2026. 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 ENTITY PROTECT REGISTERED AGENT SERVICES LLC: 447 Broadway 2nd Fl. - #3000, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of Redman Protective Service LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/07/2026. 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 Redman Protective Service LLC: emeldara@yahoo.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of VELOR FILMS, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/27/2026. 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 Northwest Registered Agent LLC: 418 Broadway, STE N Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Qualification of Turbineco, LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/2/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed in Delaware on 8/24/2023. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The Corporation Trust Company: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). DE SOS, 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of SHARFFI LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/30/2026. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Eric Sharff, 140 7th Ave Apt 6P, New York, NY 10011. Registered Agent: Dimov Associates LLC, 211 E 43rd Street, Ste 628, New York, NY 10017. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF RADIO MAN, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/29/26. Office Loc. NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Radio Man, LLC at PO Box 778, NY, NY 10013. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc. 1 Rockefeller Plaza Ste 1204, NY, NY 10020. P/B/A: 205 Hudson St, Ste 1002, NY, NY 10013. Purpose: any lawful activity. KINAN LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 06/17/2026. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 228 Park Ave S #235091, New York, NY 10003. Legalzoom Usca, Inc. desig. as agent for SOP 45 Main Street, Suite 238, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. NOTICE OF FORMATION OF VNESS, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/19/26. Office Loc. NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Vness, LLC at 1001 Ave of the Americas, 2nd Fl, NY, NY 10018. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc. 1 Rockefeller Plaza Ste 1204, NY, NY 10020. P/B/A: 1001 Ave of the Americas, 2nd Fl, NY, NY 10018. Purpose: any lawful activity. STUDIODYKAS LLC Articles of Org. For Any Lawful Activity filed w/ SSNY 08/25/2026 New York County. SSNY designated agent whom process against to be served. SSNY mail all docs: 447 Broadway 2nd Floor #1476, New York, NY 10013 VTID LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/6/2025. Office: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 2 Cornelia St, Apt 801, New York, NY 10014. Purpose: any lawful act. KYRIAKOULI GROUP LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 6/10/26. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 808 Columbus Ave (17m), (c/o Pauline Cho), New York, NY 10015. Any lawful purpose STUDIO ARMANDO AGUIRRE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed SSNY

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101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

195LEGAL HELP WANTED 101 NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

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03/18/2025. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail copy to: THE LLC, 73 W 11th St, Apt 4R, New York, NY 10011. Registered agent: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave, Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Ste 1204, NY, NY 10020. P/B/A: 2532 Garfield St, Hollywood, FL 33020. Cert. of LLC filed with Secy. of State of FL located at R.A. Gray Building, 500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Purpose: any lawful activity

BANK, Pltf. vs. CORY REALTY, INC., et al, Defts. Index #850032/2022. Pursuant to an amended judgment of foreclosure and sale entered July 15, 2026, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on September 22, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises k/a 747 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10031 a/k/a Block 2062, Lot 132. Said property beginning at a point on the Westerly line of St. Nicholas Avenue, distance 93 ft. 8 inches North of the Northwesterly corner of 147th St. and St. Nicholas Avenue, being a plot 100 ft. x 18 ft. 9 inches. Approximate amount of judgment is $2,965,996.90 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed amended judgment and terms of sale. JERRY A. MEROLA, Referee. WESTERMAN, BALL EDERER, MILLER, ZUCKER & SHARFSTEIN, LLP, Attys for Pltf., 1201 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 #103144

THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2019-CD8, Pltf. vs. 63 SPRING LAFAYETTE, LLC, et al Deft. Index# 850042/2022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 23, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on September 29, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a 63 Spring Street, New York, NY a/k/a Block 496, Lot 34. Approximate amount of judgment is $28,125,967.56 plus cost and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. ELAINE SHAY, Referee. BALLARD SPAHR LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1675 Broadway, 19 Floor, New York, NY. #103137

Manhattan on the Tax Map of the Real Property Assessment, Division of the City of New York, and on the Floor Plans of said building, certified by Fifield Piaker & Associates, Architects, P.C. on 3/2/2016 and filed in the City Register’s Office, New York County, on 3/11/2016 as Condominium Plan No. 1025B, amending the original floor plans of the Buildings, certified by Fifield Piaker & Associates Architects, P.C. on 7/10/1998 and also filed in the City Register’s Office as Condominium Plan No. 1025, Map No. 5529 on 7/23/1998, as amended by the amended floor plans prepared by Avinash K. Malhotra, AIA, Architects and certified on 12/28/2000 and filed in the City Register’s Office on the 1/5/2001 as Condominium Plan No. 1025A, Map #5520A (all capitalized terms herein which are not separately defined herein shall have the respective meanings described to them in the Declaration or in the By‑Laws (the “By‑Laws”) of The 17 Battery Place Condominium);

787 Seventh Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10019

Notice of formation of SEALED WITH SNARK LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/15/2026. Office located in NEW YORK. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to SEALED WITH SNARK LLC 99 WALL STREET #2319, NEW YORK, NY, 10005, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose. Notice of Qualification of INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES LLC, d/b/a NEXTGUARD INSURANCE AGENCY LLC. Application for Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/20/2026. Office location: New York County. LLC formed in Florida on 06/14/2019. LLC is not required to maintain an office in Florida. Principal office of LLC: 3000 S Ocean Drive, Apt 608, Hollywood, FL 33019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: International Affiliates LLC, 3000 S Ocean Drive, Apt 608, Hollywood, FL 33019. Address of the officer in Florida where a copy of the Articles of Organization may be obtained: Secretary of State, State of Florida Division of Corporations, 2415 N Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Purpose: any lawful activity. NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF SUKHADAA NY, LLC. Appl. for Auth. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/21/26. Office Loc. New York County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 7/21/26. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Sukhadaa NY, LLC at 3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd., #946, Studio City, CA 91604. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc.1 Rockefeller Plaza Ste 1204, NY, NY 10020. DE address of LLC is 500 Delaware Ave., 903, Wilmington, DE 19801. P/B/A: 3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd., #946, Studio City, CA 91604. Cert. of LLC filed with Secy. of State of DE located at 401 Federal St, 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF MILLS VINTAGE LLC. Appl. for Auth. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/3/26. Office Loc. NY County. LLC formed in FL on 12/11/14. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: MILLS VINTAGE LLC at PO Box 65063, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc. 1 Rockefeller Plaza

JWCM COF I MF ADMIN, LLC Auth. filed w/ SSNY 8/3/26. Off. in NY Co. Cert of Form. filed w/ SSDE 7/31/26. Process served to SSNY - desig. as agt. of LLC & mailed to 445 Park Ave., Ste. 1600, NY, NY 10022. Add. maintd. in DE: 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Name & add. of auth. officer in DE where Cert of Form filed: SSDE, Div. of Corp, John G Townsend Bldg, 401 Federal St, Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose. LEGAL NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK BOARD OF MANAGERS OF SAGA HOUSE CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff -against- HANNA JESIONOWSKA PRACTICE L.L.C , et. al., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 8, 2025 and entered on September 10, 2025, the sale of the premises described below, originally scheduled for September 1, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., has been adjourned to September 15, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on September 15, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., in the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, New York 10007, in the courtroom designated by the posting outside of Room 130, or at such other location within the Courthouse as may be designated by the Clerk of the Court and/or the Office of Court Administration, the premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Medical Unit No. 1 in the condominium building known as “Saga House Condominium” together with an undivided 6.19% interest in the common elements as described in the Declaration of Saga House Condominium. Block 1409 and Lot 1001. Said premises known as 157 East 74 th Street, Medical Unit No. 1, New York, New York. Approximate amount of lien $251,391.84 plus attorney’s fees and costs as awarded in the judgment, along with interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 156127/2024 JEFFREY R. MILLER, ESQ., Referee Levin & Glasser, P.C., Attorney(s) for Plaintiff, 551 Fifth Avenue, Ste. 1200, New York, NY 10176 {* AMSTERDAM*} NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: NEW YORK COUNTY. FLUSHING

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 75 KENMARE STREET CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff ‑against‑ KOK KIT LEE, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated July 7, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY, in the courtroom designated by the posting outside of Room 130, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, The Unit known as Unit No. 2G in the Building known by 75 Kenmare Street, known and designated as Unit No. 2G in the condominium known as “The 75 Kenmare Street Condominium”. Together with an undivided 1.65 percent interest in the common elements. Block: 480 Lot: 1310 Said premises known as 75 KENMARE STREET, UNIT 2G, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $70,040.78 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 151896/2025. GREGORY M. LASPINA, ESQ., Referee Schneider Buchel LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 60 Crossways Park Dr West, Suite 340, Woodbury, NY 11797 {* AMSTERDAM*} NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NEW YORK COUNTY. WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HOLDERS OF CD 2019-CD8 MORTGAGE TRUST COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE PASS-

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF CITIGROUP COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES, INC., COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE PASS‑THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2016‑P3, Plaintiff ‑against‑ NYACK 2 WASHINGTON LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated May 4, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY, in the courtroom designated by the posting outside of Room 130, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. The Unit (the “Unit”) Known as Unit 3B in THE 17 BATTERY PLACE CONDOMINIUM (the “Condominium”), said Unit being designated and described as Unit 3B in the Declaration establishing a plan for condominium ownership under Article 9‑B of the Real Property Law of the State of New York (the “New York Condominium Act”), with respect to the building and improvements located on the land described below (the “Premises”) known by the street number 17 Battery Place, Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, which Declaration is dated 4/9/1998 and recorded in the New York County Office of the Register of the City of New York (the “City Register’s Office”) on 7/23/1998 in Reel 2636 Page 1214 and amended by First Amendment to Declaration dated as of 1/4/2001 and recorded on 1/5/2001 in Reel 3217 Page 168, as further amended by Second Amendment to Declaration dated as of 1/27/2009, recorded 2/12/2009 in CRFN 2009000041625, and by Third Amendment to Declaration dated as 7/22/2009, recorded 8/7/2009 in CRFN 2009000247585, as further amended by Fourth Amendment to Declaration dated as of 3/2/2016, recorded 3/11/2016 in CRFN 2016000086373 (as so amended, the “Declaration”); the Unit is also designated as Tax Lot 1004 in Block 15 of Section 1 of the Borough of

TOGETHER with an undivided 17.0551% interest in the Common Elements (as defined in the Declaration) appurtenant to the Unit. The land upon which the building containing the Unit is 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, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of BATTERY PLACE with the westerly side of WASHINGTON STREET as now laid out and established by Law; THENCE westerly along the northerly side of BATTERY PLACE, 180 feet 10‑1/4 inches to the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of BATTERY PLACE and the easterly side of WEST STREET; THENCE northerly along the easterly side of WEST STREET, 363 feet 11‑1/2 inches, more or less, to the land now or formerly of ALEXANDER STEVENS and RICHARD MORRIS; THENCE easterly along said land now or formerly of ALEXANDER STEVENS and RICHARD MORRIS, 179 feet 10‑1/4 inches, more or less, to the westerly side of WASHINGTON STREET; THENCE southerly along the westerly side of WASHINGTON STREET, 357 feet 1‑1/2 inches, more or less, to the corner at the point or place of BEGINNING. Block: 15 Lot: 1004 Said premises known as 2 WASHINGTON STREET, UNIT 3B, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $89,022,691.78 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850020/2024. CLARK WHITSETT, ESQ., Referee Holland & Knight LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

{* AMSTERDAM*} SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK SUPPLMENTAL SUMMONS Index No. 850566/2025 Date Filed: 8/28/2026 Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff, -againstEdward Gelb, if he be living or if he be dead, his spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Gail Rosenberg Gurewitz; Eric Rosenberg; William Glickman; Franklin Spector; Sheila Brown; Jay Manne, if he be living or if he be dead, his spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Stephen Spector; Howard Spector; Matthew Kaminsky; Samantha Kaminsky Pidmont, if she be living or if she be dead, their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Any unknown heirs, devisees, distributees or successors in interest of the late Susan Rita Manne, if they be living or, if they be dead, their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the Plaintiff; The Board of Directors of 140 East 56th Street Condominium Homeowners Association; City of New York Environmental Control Board; City of New York Parking Violations Bureau; City of New York Transit Adjudication Bureau, and “JOHN DOE”, said name being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any, having or claiming an interest or lien upon the mortgaged premises, Defendants. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 140 East 56th Street, Unit 4J, New York, NY 10022 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 35

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

195LEGAL HELP WANTED 101 NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Consolidation and/or Modified Mortgage (hereinafter “the Mortgage”) to secure $159,500.00 and interest, recorded in the New York County Office of the City Register on August 31, 2011, in CRFN 2011000309791 covering premises known as 140 East 56th street, Unit 4J, New York, NY 10022 a/k/a Block 1310, Lot 1339. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates New York County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. NOTICE

TURE LLC, Plaintiff ‑against‑ 318‑322 EAST 126 LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 18, 2026 and entered on March 26, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY, in the courtroom designated by the posting outside of Room 130, on October 6, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. PARCEL 1: situate, lying and being in the Borough of New York, County of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of East 126th Street, distant 300 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the said southerly side of East 126th Street and the easterly side of Second Avenue; being a plot 99 feet 11 inches by 50 feet by 99 feet 11 inches by 50 feet. Block: 1802 Lot: 40 318 EAST 126TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY PARCEL 2: situate, lying and being in the Borough of New York, County of New York, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of East 126th Street, distant 300 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the said southerly side of East 126th Street and the easterly side of Second Avenue; being a plot 99 feet 11 inches by 50 feet by 99 feet 11 inches by 50 feet. Block: 1802 Lot 39. Said premises known as 320 EAST 126TH STRET, NEW YORK NY PARCEL 3: situate, lying and being in the Borough of New York, County of New York, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of East 126th Street, distant 350 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the said southerly side of East 126th Street and the easterly side of Second Avenue, being a plot 99 feet 11 inches by 41 feet 8 inches by 99 feet 11 inches by 41 feet 8 inches. Block: 1802 Lot: 38 Said premises known as 322‑324 EAST 126TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $10,548,529.53 plus interest & costs.

08/07/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 23 E 73rd St., NY, NY 10021. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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.

80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of DE, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of RHODES CREDIT PARTNERS II LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/23/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 120 W. 45th St., 2nd Fl., NY, NY 10036. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of StruXure Outdoor, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/06/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Georgia (GA) on 04/01/09. Princ. office and GA addr. of LLC is: 154 Ethan Allen Dr., Dahlonega, GA 30533. 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. Cert. of Form. filed with GA Secy. of State, 313 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Atlanta, GA 30334-1530. Purpose: Manufacturer of automated outdoor living systems.

YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING A PAYMENT TO VOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: June 18, 2026 Steven M. Palmer, Esq. Foreclosure Attorney LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (585) 247-9000 Fax: (585) 247-7380 Our File No. 25-099886 #103164

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. SIG RCRS D MF 2023 VEN-

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850136/2025. ALLISON FURMAN, ESQ., Referee Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 120 Albany Street Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 {* AMSTERDAM*} Notice of Formation of MAILLARD ART SERVICES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on

Notice of Formation of EVIA NANO MEDICAL, PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/18/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of PLLC: 130 East 35th St., NY, NY 10016. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the PLLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Medicine. Notice of Formation of BOW LIFT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/07/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 200 Park Ave. South, Fl. 8, NY, NY 10003. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of KRANE NEW ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND 3 L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/03/26. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/29/26. Princ. office of LP: 280 Park Ave., 32nd Fl., NY, NY 10017. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, 401 Federal St., Ste.4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of ETHMOS, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/18/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/16/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC

Notice of Qualification of PONYGIRL PRODUCTIONS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/05/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/26/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Bennet L. Schonfeld, 183 Madison Ave., Ste. 1602, NY, NY 10016. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, 401 Federal St., Ste. #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of SARA ADLER ADVISORY, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/23/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/27/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 40 E. 83rd St., Apt. 6S, NY, NY 10028. DE addr. of LLC: 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 SOUND POINT U.S. DIRECT LENDING FUND IV (RN FEEDER) L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/17/26. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/28/26. Princ. office of LP: 375 Park Ave., 34th Fl., NY, NY 10152. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC),

Notice of Qualification of GOLAN CONSULTING LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on Notice of Qualification of BOW05/11/26. Office location: NY HEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, County. LLC formed in DelaLLC ware (DE) on 04/22/26. Princ. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. office of LLC: 217 W 18th St. of State of NY (SSNY) on #81, NY, NY 10113. SSNY des07/21/26. Office location: NY ignated as agent of LLC upon County. LLC formed in Alaska whom process against it may (AK) on 01/23/14. Princ. office be served. SSNY shall mail proof LLC: 6564 Loisdale Ct., Ste. cess to the LLC at the princ. of900, Springfield, VA 22150. fice of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: SSNY designated as agent c/o Corporation Service Co., of LLC upon whom process 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, against it may be served. SSNY DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed shall mail process to Corporawith Secy. of State of DE, Dept. tion Service Co., 80 State St., of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Albany, NY 12207-2543. Cert. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal of Form. filed with CommissionSt., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. • February - FebruaryAny 26, 2025 er, 333 Willoughby Ave.,19th Fl., 20, 2025 Purpose: lawful activity. Juneau, AK 99801. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 101 LEGAL NOTICES 101 LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Qualification of CIG DEVELOPMENT MANAGENotice is hereby given that a Notice of Qualification of AP #NA-0340-25CREDIT SOLUTIONS HOLDNotice of Qualificationlicense, offorserial MENT 103028 beer, wine & liquorLLC INGS (AIV) II, L.P. Appl. for has been applied Appl. for by the Auth. filed withwith Secy. of State of SOUND POINT U.S. DIRECT for Auth. filed Secy. undersigned to sell beer, wine NY (SSNY) on 01/08/25. Office liquor at retail inof a restauCounty. LP formed LENDING FUND IV & (ONState oflocation: NY NY(SSNY) on rant under the ABC Law at 994 in Delaware (DE) on 12/26/24. SHORE) L.P. 07/17/26. Office location: NY Columbus Ave., New York, NY Princ. office of LP: Attn: General on-premises con9 W. 57th St., 43rd Fl., Appl. for Auth. filed with10025 Secy.forLimone County. LLCCounsel, in Delasumption; LLC NY, formed NY 10019. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated of State of NY (SSNY) on ware (DE) on 07/11/25. Princ. as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. 07/17/26. Office location: NY office of LLC: 2101 Wilson NOTICE is hereby given that a SSNY shall mail process to the County. LP formed in Delaware Blvd., Ste. 525, Arlington, license, number NA-0370-24Partnership at the princ.VA office for liquor, wine, beer & of the LP. Name and addr. of (DE) on 05/29/26. Princ. 135212 office 22201. SSNY designated cider has been applied for by each general partner areas availthe undersigned to agent sell liquor,of LLC ableupon from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: of LP: 375 Park Ave., 34th Fl., whom prowine, beer & cider at retail in a c/o Corporation Service Co., Alcoholic Falls Dr.,served. Wilmington, NY, NY 10152. Duration bar/tavern of LP under thecess against251it Little may be Beverage Control Law at 4371 DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with is Perpetual. SSNY designated 3rd Ave; Bronx, NYSSNY 10457 in shallThemail Secy. ofprocess State of the to State Bronx County for on premises DE, Dept. of State, Div. of as agent of LP upon whom pro- Zion Attn: Marisaof McGaughey at consumption. Restaurant Corps., John Townsend Bldg., and Lounge Corp the d/b/a princ. Zion Dover,of DE the 19901. Purpose: Any cess against it may be served. office LLC. DE Restaurant and Lounge lawful activity. SSNY shall mail process to c/o addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Corporation Service Co. (CSC), Wilmington, DE 19808-1674. 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of 2543. Name and addr. of each State, 401 Federal St. 4, Dover, general partner are available DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: activity. c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with DE Secy. of State, Notice of Qualification of OFF 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, THE COUCH CLUB HOLDDE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful INGS LLC activity. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/24/26. Office location: NY Notice of Qualification of WFFA County. LLC formed in DelaADVISORS, LLC ware (DE) on 07/23/26. SSNY Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. designated as agent of LLC of State of NY (SSNY) on upon whom process against 08/07/26. Office location: NY it may be served. SSNY shall County. LLC formed in Delamail process to the LLC, 40 E. ware (DE) on 02/26/25. SSNY 83rd St., Apt. 6S, NY, NY 10028. designated as agent of LLC DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls upon whom process against Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. it may be served. SSNY shall Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of mail process to the LLC, 237 State, John G. Townsend Bldg., West 35th St., Ste. 1001, NY, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, NY 10001. DE addr. of LLC: c/o DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful Corporation Service Co., 251 activity.

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NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF SCHMEISSER LAW, PLLC. App. for CLASSIFIEDS ADS CONTAC Auth. filed with SSNY 08/11/2026. Off. loc.: NY Co. PLLC formed AZ MILLINER (347) 35004/03/2025. SSNY desig. agent for process &ALI shall mail: 43 W.  43rd  ALI.MILLINER@AMSTERDAMNEW St., NY, NY 10036. AZ off.: 14362 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Ste 1107, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Cert. of Org. filed with AZ Corp. Comm., 1300 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. Purpose: law. YOUR OWN B OR SCHEDULE

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NYC Schools Continued from page 2

district working groups in Districts 3, 7, 13, 16, and 25 to garner feedback, said Samuels. The goal is to open a working group in each of the city’s 32 school districts over the next three years. The city will be implementing Central Collaborative Reviews with all 45 Superintendents. And, the education department has a goal of hiring 6,600 new teachers. On the classroom side, Samuels is expanding the NYC Reads and Solves programs as well as making sure learning is “culturally responsive” by strengthening the Black Studies and Hidden Voices curricula. Samuels added that there are 44 new bilingual programs, aiming to achieve the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) award for high school students. According to 2025 state test data, there was a 7.2-point increase in English Language

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS Arts (ELA) proficiency and a 3.5-point increase in math scores for public school children overall for students in grades 3 through 8 last year. Despite the significant improvement, Black and Hispanic students continued to score lower than white and Asian students in both categories. “We have seen fluctuations in our test scores. Last year we went up seven points. This year we came down to six points in ELA. We’re continuing to study that. But what’s important is that especially in grades three to five for this year, we want to make sure our young people are fluent readers, that they’re engaged in the knowledge building necessary for a high-quality reading experience and becoming great readers,” said Samuels, who opted to ban AI use for one year in public schools for grades 2-K through 8th grade.

sity and integration plan. Marie Winfield, executive director at Fair Housing Justice Center, said that it was wonderful just to hear “a top city official” talk about the importance of integrated spaces in education. She thinks he has the experience from working in District 3 and 13 on how to implement successful diversity plans. She is also excited to hear that the intersection with housing and equitable education is being taken seriously. “We’re very interested in the intersection between the affordability piece, discrimination, and the housing market, and how that impacts integrated spaces across the city, and specifically in schools, but in our communities as well,” said Winfield at the event. “It’s great to hear the chancellor talk about mitigating different impacts in the school space, including culturally responsive eduThe feedback so far cation, and we look forward to working with Attendees to the law school’s breakfast had the chancellor in the future.” a wide variety of opinions on Samuels’ diverJae Edman, of Johnson Edman Advertising,

is more eager to see a focus on culturally responsive education. “I am of Jamaican heritage as well. So, through that, I understand what that means and what he’s going to be pushing for. But also I think for the city at large, I think it’s a great opportunity to have this new initiative come into place and take the city as a whole in his hands and move that initiative forward,” said Edman. “I think he’s gonna do a great job over time.” Samuels’ plan is not without its critics, though. Michael Meyers, the president and executive director of the New York Civil Rights Coalition (NYCRC), felt that the integration plan left a lot to be desired. He believes that public charter schools do a much better job at serving minority students. “He’s not doing a damn thing about those segregated schools. He cited some of the schools that are already segregated. He didn’t tell me how you’re going to get rid of them. Nobody addressed that question,” said Meyers. “I am really upset about it.”

Andre Easton

in the democratic primary, notably against former mayoral candidate and assemblyContinued from page 2 member Michael Blake. But Easton disputed narratives of a resounding victory, completely grassroots campaign, people- pointing to dismal voter turnout in a discentered, door-to-door outreach and on trict with more than 750,000 residents. the ground. And totally people-powered Easton believes a socialist alternative can economically as well [by] not accept- galvanize the public in a way the demoing AIPAC money, not taking super PAC cratic primary pool could not. money, not taking real estate money.” Few elected officials draw as much anger Incumbent Rep. Ritchie Torres mean- nationally from the American left as Torres, while defended the seat this past summer one of the Democratic Party’s most vocal

proponents of Israel. Easton wants to end all taxpayer-funded aid to Israel. His policy platform also calls for repealing a federal public housing cap and bankrolling rental assistance while raising the federal minimum wage to $30 an hour. “The Bronx has always been a site of shared solidarity with oppressed people around the world,” said Easton. “I mean, hip hop is something that was born in the Bronx, and if you go to Palestine, you hear hip hop. You see murals of George Floyd on the walls in Gaza.

West Indian Day parade

tion online that eventually smaller parade celebrations for individual Caribbean nations would replace the larger Labor Day event, such as the first-ever Jamaica Rising Day Parade that was held on August 8 in Flatbush, Brooklyn. The Jamaican Day parade, organized by former Councilmember Dr. Una Clarke and her team, had no shootings and was attended by thousands, despite having an exceedingly shorter parade route and timeframe. On the other hand, Senator Jabari Brisport (left) and Assemblymember-elect Eon what was to be BrookHunteley (right) at the parade. (Ariama C. Long photo) lyn’s first Grenada Carriacou and Petite Martinique Day was shut this magnitude, it’s very difficult to duplidown early on Aug. 23, due to overcrowding cate. So for others who are trying, I applaud at the South Shore High School venue de- them, but it’s kind of akin to having an NFL spite the event being “peacefully run,” said team on an NBA team, and you’re trying to the Grenada Cultural Festival Group. The start a new league,” said Maloney, who has borough’s first Trinidad and Tobago Inde- no fear that the West Indian Day parade pendence Day parade was also canceled would ever be replaced. on Aug. 30, disappointing many people Mamdani resolutely dismissed rumors of who were excited for the event. The NYPD canceling the parade in the future, and Wildenied their permits because of the parade liams, the highest-ranking Caribbean cityroute’s impact on traffic and resourcing. wide official in NYC history, echoed his “The amount of energy, the skills, and the response. “We are excited for this parade this things that are required to do a parade of year and for every year,” said Mamdani.

Continued from page 15

people early, identify concerns, help calm tensions, and work to de-escalate conflict before it becomes violence. This work is rooted in prevention, communication, and care. It is about creating the conditions for people to celebrate freely and return home safely.”

under the Adams administration, were used for the parade route — despite opposition from civil liberties groups like NYCLU and STOP. Emergency Service Units, helicopter units, K-9, counterterrorism teams, field intelligence officers, and the bomb squad were also present, said the city. Despite the efforts, at least seven people were injured, and one was arrested due to violence surrounding the parade route on Monday. The NYPD reported six violent incidents that occurred within the confines of the 71st and 77th precincts. Two early morning stabbings occurred, including one that left four wounded. Two shootings and another two stabbings were reported later in the day. No fatalities have been reported. “I never want people to forget, absent [a] million people on this parkway, there [are] violence issues in this community. And we’ve gone a long way to addressing that. But I don’t want people to pretend like just if there wasn’t a parade everybody’s safe, because that’s not true,” said Williams. “But our job is to make sure that this parade, that J’Ouvert, that this day and this weekend is as safe as it possibly can be.”

No deaths but still instances of violence The city’s plan was to hard stop the parade early at 5 p.m. this year, in hopes of avoiding gun violence amid historic lows across the city. “Safety is such an important part because at the end of the day, it has been a source of discouragement, of dissuading so many New Yorkers and other people from outside the community, from coming to the parade,” said WIADCA Chairman Andrew Maloney on Sept. 4. “We want to let people know that a lot of that violence that happens, happens totally outside of the actual celebrations, and it generally happens after hours, after the parade is completed, as in the case of last year. And particularly when it’s dark, high consumption of alcohol... things really get sketchy after that.” Doors opened at 2 a.m. for J’Ouvert through 13 screened entrances to viewing Can’t stop, won’t stop areas. Same as last year. Alcohol, large bags, It’s a history of these incidents of violence and coolers were banned. Drones, which at the parade, and complaints about a rapidly the NYPD started deploying to the parade gentrifying Brooklyn, that has led to specula-

We have a strong historical tie and international struggle in the Bronx.” While democratic socialists continue winning New York City elections as democrats, Easton still believes in challenging the twoparty system. “The working class needs at least one of their own parties that is only subordinate to the interests of the working class,” he said. “And we believe that there needs to be a party that is advocating uncompromisingly for the solutions that we know are not only necessary but possible.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026 • 37

Newark native Zaquin Moses wins Prudential Center debut by stoppage By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

time, playing, and then one day, I don’t remember the exact day, but one day, I remember him just giving me pad work in the Newark, New Jersey, boxing fans had a living room. And then after that I just been chance to see a local product fight as a progoing back to the gym, training and stuff. fessional for the first time last Friday, when That’s all I remember about really starting 21-year-old Zaquin Moses (8-0, 4 KOs) deas a young kid.” feated Angel Antonio Contreras by techniMoses also does not hesitate to ask Stecal knockout. Contreras’ corner stopped venson (25-0) for advice. the fight after the fifth round of a sched“I for sure go to him, tell him about evuled eight-round bout. erything for real, whether it’s the business, Moses’ immediate reaction was to step whether it’s the preparation, whether it’s up on the ring ropes, raise his arms in trithe mental of just preparing, going into umph, and emphatically pump his chest. a fight, so I just ask him a lot of different He has won every round of his budding things, things he went through, things he professional career, and he discussed his experienced,” he said. preparation leading up to the bout exclu“Then I ask him if he went through the sively with the AmNews. same thing I’m going through, if he went “I’ve been sparring four-minute rounds, through anything different, so I know what I’ve been training four-minute rounds, and I’m going through. But over the years, to be I’ve just been sparring four minutes, 10 honest, over the last couple [of] years, I’ve rounds,” said Moses, who is the first cousin been with him to experience everything of WBO junior welterweight champion and fighting in Newark as a professional for the to boxing by his grandfather, the Newark myself, so I’ve been seeing a lot of things.” fellow Newark native Shakur Stevenson. first time. boxing trainer Willie “Wali” Moses. On Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las “I’ve just been getting a lot of rounds in “I’m super excited … this is like a dream “One day, my grandfather is a trainer. He Vegas, Ryan Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) will put this whole camp, so I just been keeping up come true, I always wanted to do it,” he said. “I had been training different fighters for a his WBC welterweight world championship on my conditioning, running, getting as ain’t know it was going to be this soon, but I’m long time, and one day he just took me to on the line against England’s Conor Benn many rounds as I can with different fight- here now, and this is the first step to get out of the gym, and I wasn’t really in like training (25-1, 14 KOs). Garcia defeated Mario Barers, and I’m well prepared and ready.” the way to what I want to accomplish more.” and everything,” Moses said. rios in February for the title and will defend Moses expectedly was emotional about Like Stevenson, Moses was introduced “I was just playing around the gym all the it for the first time. Newark, New Jersey, native Zaquin Moses throws a right hand at Angel Antonio Contreras at Prudential Center last Friday in his fifth-round stoppage win. (Matchroom Boxing photo)

Former boxing champion Heather Hardy battles life outside of the ring By TONY PAIGE Special to the AmNews Until recently, Brooklyn’s Heather “The Heat” Hardy was the WBO featherweight champ, with a career record of 24-3 (1 NC), including four knockouts. She went 20 rounds toe-to-toe with the great Amanda Serrano. In 28 bouts, Hardy was never stopped. Always the crowd pleaser, the operative word for Hardy now is “was.” Her days of in-the-ring combat are over for Hardy: Her boxing career has ended and left her with a brain injury that has dampened her day-to-day living. “I have tunnel vision, so I can only see like binoculars,” she admits, with no hesitation in her voice. “I’m seeing double and I’m nauseous. I throw up like 20 times a day. Some days it’s easy for me to just come into the gym and be everybody’s assistant.” She goes to Gleason’s Gym to work with fighters, putting in seven to eight hours per day. Hardy used to train fighters; now she helps other trainers with their boxers, such as wrapping their hands. “It’s 100 percent family here,” she said about the iconic Brooklyn gym, where she’s been training and work-

U.S. Open Men’s

ing for 15 years. “They make sure I eat. I have bad short-term memory, so I’ll forget to eat.” While Hardy has a lawsuit pending against a former promoter, the New York State Athletic Commission, and a glove manufacturer, this isn’t a story of blame; rather, it’s about what happens to a boxer when the spotlight ceases. “Everybody forgot about me when I was in the spotlight,” she chuckled. Hardy called HBO to get on the network for her title fight against Shelly Vincent, capturing the vacant WBO featherweight belt back in 2018 in Madison Square Garden. She lost her crown in her next bout against Serrano. She took a tough beating in that one and her last fight in 2023 was another loss to Serrano. Hardy also competed in Mixed Martial Arts with a 2-2 mark, but no more. The tough-as-nails fighter has nothing more to give the ring, having had to step away into the void of the unknown. The 44-year-old mother of one used to ride her bike about a mile and a half to work, but with her vision problems, that’s a no no. Life after sports is hard for any retired athlete, although boxers seem to have it the hardest.

Tiafoe can add this win to his list of memorable U.S. Open moments. He pushed the Continued from page 40 legendary Roger Federer to five sets as a 19-year-old newcomer in 2017, eventually that Tiafoe has come from two sets down losing 6-4, 2-6, 1-6, 6-1, 4-6. He also engito win: in 2024 at Wimbledon and at the neered a fourth round upset versus 22-time French Open this past May. Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in 2022

To Bruce Silverglade, owner of Gleason’s, Hardy is special. “She means a lot to me personally,” declared Silverglade, who’s been at the gym for 44 years. “She started here as an amateur and she’s been with me, 20, 25 years. She won the Golden Gloves, and she won the amateur nationals at 125 pounds, representing Gleason’s, and went on as a pro.” Through all of Hardy’s struggles, Silverglade hasn’t given up on her. “She’s improving,” he said. “She was just flying off the wall a year ago. She’s getting medical attention and some assistance from the government. It’s a tough time and it’s easy for people to abandon her, but I don’t want to abandon her.” Hardy hopes people will be able to help her through a GoFundMe account to support her and her 22-year-old daughter Boxer Heather Hardy, who once held WBO Annie, who is completing her master’s in featherweight title, is now dealing with serious health issues. (Heather Hardy education at an upstate college. photo) “She’s a successful young woman,” beams the proud mama. “Nothing ever bad happened to her. Her biggest problem To help Heather Hardy, go to her Instawas whether or not her friends had a door- gram page and click the link to her GoFundman building. I wanted a spoiled brat and Me. Active since July, the fund has raised I got one.” close to $40,000, with a target of $100,000. and battled Taylor Fritz in a 2024 semifinal five-setter. With his win against Michelsen, Tiafoe reaches his third U.S. Open semifinal, and joins Andre Agassi as the only American man since 2000 to make three U.S. Open semifinals. “Big Foe” also rises to a career-

high ranking of No. 8. Yesterday, top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany took on Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in one quarterfinal contest and in the other Karen Khachanov from Russia met up with Alexander Blockx from Belgium.

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Will Jets and Giants finally elevate in the 2026 season? By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor The Jets and Giants open their 2026 NFL schedule on Sunday. The Jets will be on the road to play the Tennessee Titans and the Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys in the league’s weekly Sunday night standalone nationally televised game (8:20 p.m., NBC). In the NFL, a rapid turnaround, while not the norm, is achievable. The more difficult undertaking is sustaining the rise to playoff contender year-over-year. The Jets and Giants are both focused on that pursuit. They have floundered near the bottom of the league’s standings for much of the past two decades: The Jets haven’t made the playoffs in the past 15 seasons and the Giants have only been in the postseason three times over the same span. Last season, the Jets were 3-14 and the Giants 4-13. This season will be Aaron Glenn’s second as the Jets’ head coach and John Harbaugh’s first with the Giants. Although the Jets and Giants share a building (MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.), the two coaches are in distinctly different places. This is a critically defining year

In contrast, Harbaugh’s job security is more firm. He is tracking a potential Pro Football Hall of Fame coach. A successful tenure with the Giants — reaching and/or winning a Super Bowl — would be like writing his name on a Hall of Fame ballot with a Sharpie. The 63-year-old Harbaugh guided the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons, winning the Super Bowl in 2012. His 193 wins rank 12th all-time among head coaches. Of those, 13 were attained in the playoffs. Harbaugh’s four AFC Championships are the dichotomy. Getting to four is laudable. Losing three evoked criticism among some Ravens fans and pundits. The long relationship between Harbaugh and the Ravens ended last January two days after the Ravens suffered a crushing 26-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, their scornful AFC North division rival, when New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh, left, greets New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn on field kicker Tyler Loop missed a potenafter preseason game two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) tial game-winning field goal as time for Glenn. The Jets are his first Jets have to show marked improve- receiver Omar Cooper Jr., all first- expired. head coaching job. He is a former ment, both in total wins and de- round selections, and cornerback The winner goes to the playoffs; 1994 first-round pick of the fran- monstrable development of their D’Angelo Ponds, a second-round loser-go-home game consummatchise and rejoined them in Janu- young core, which includes fifth- pick. Both measures will substan- ed the separation. Ravens owner ary of last year after four seasons year wide receiver Garrett Wilson tially determine whether team Steve Bisciotti fired Harbaugh less as defensive coordinator for the and this year’s group of high draft owner Robert “Woody” Johnson than 48 hours later. Detroit Lions. picks: edge rusher David Bailey, retains the 54-year-old Glenn to The Giants hope it was a gift to It’s a logical assumption that the tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and wide begin the 2027 season. them.

South Carolina State downs FAMU to remain atop of the HBCU football rankings By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor College football is just in its third week. There’s still roughly three months of football to be played on the various teams’ regular season schedules. So much can happen between now and the end of November to alter the landscape of conference championships and postseason aspirations. South Carolina State, the defending HBCU national champion, has begun the 2026 campaign standing on business in its quest for a repeat. The Bulldogs opened Aug. 29 with an 87-0 rout of Division II Savannah State on the school’s Hall of Fame and Faculty & Staff Appreciation night at Willie Jeffries Field at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Facing a much tougher opponent than the Division II Savannah State Tigers of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), SC State traveled to Miami Gardens, Florida, to challenge the Division I Florida A&M Rattlers of the Southwestern Ath-

On the other side of the ball for South Carolina State, running back Mason Pickett-Hicks amassed 210 yards rushing on 17 carries with two touchdowns and was named the game’s MVP. The Rattlers, who are 1-1 after an opening game win (20-7) over Albany State, will play the University of Miami Hurricanes tonight. Known as The U, Miami lost to Indiana in last year’s BCS National Championship Game and is one of the best teams in the country again this season with a ranking of No. 7. According to The Tallahassee Democrat, Miami is paying Florida A&M $720,000 — plus another $40,000 if the Marching 100 makes the trip — for what has long been called a “money game,” the arrangement in which major programs pay lower-tier Football The South Carolina State Bulldogs remain atop of the HBCU football rankings after a decisive 31-13 win over Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools, the Florida A&M Rattlers this past Saturday. (MEAC photo) formerly Division I-A, and Footletic Conference (SWAC). Al- that incomprehensibly held the at home against the Virginia State ball Championship Subdivision though the final score of 31-13 Rattlers to minus one total net Trojans. (FCS) programs, the erstwhile Diwasn’t as lopsided as it was the yards rushing on 30 attempts, the The Rattlers gained 60 yards vision I-AA, anywhere from sevprevious week, the Bulldogs were Bulldogs dictated the terms in the on the ground but the Bulldogs eral hundred thousand dollars to even more impressive. Orange Blossom Classic to move to turned them back for 61 yards lost north of $1 million to take butt Anchored by a stingy defense 2-0 ahead of Saturday’s matchup on 15 tackles and had five sacks. whoppings.

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

St. John’s women’s volleyball opens the season showing promise By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews It has been a strong start to the collegiate volleyball season for St. John’s University volleyball, which is building chemistry and notching some solid wins. The Red Storm have shown they can win on the road and at home, coming away from last weekend’s Lou Carnesecca Invitational with two home wins (Rider and UAB) and a hard-fought four-set loss (East Texas A&M). At 6-foot-3, sophomore Chloe Bell said she has played middle blocker since she started volleyball, “because I’m tall and my coaches would always put me in that position,” she said, noting she relishes the responsibility the position carries. “It suits me.” Sophomore Kendall White is a 6-foot-1 opposite hitter. She played for the prestigious A5 Volleyball club in Georgia, so it was an expectation to play at the Division I level. “I was surrounded by girls with the same aspirations … and my sister, who is eight years older than me, was a D I volleyball player,” she said. Bell, who is studying business,

St. John’s sophomores, opposite hitter Kendall White (arms outstretched), and middle blocker Chloe Bell (far right) are cornerstones of school’s women’s volleyball program. (Vinny Dusovic photos)

chose St. John’s because of “the community, the coaches, the education I can get here,” she said. White, also studying business, was drawn to “the culture of the program,” and praised the diversity on the team and St. John’s long-time volleyball coach Joanne Persico. While it is early in the season, White said, “I already know this

team is very special. We have a lot of great energy and we genuinely are connected. I’m excited to see how much better we get and see where the season takes us.” Bell and White are aware that now is an exciting time for volleyball, with two professional women’s leagues. With plans of going to law school, White does not en-

vision a pro career after college, but she appreciates the enthusiasm for the sport. Bell is not set on the pros, but said, “It’s not out of the picture.” This weekend, the St. John’s volleyball team heads to New Rochelle for the Iona Invitational, where they will take on Central Connecticut State, NJIT, and Iona. “It’s been

very exciting to see them gel as a group,” said Persico, noting the team has 10 new players. “We have a super-fun team, super-engaged … and they’ve come together really well. We have a good hitting percentage. We have good depth, so our practices are very competitive. We have good, healthy signs of a successful season.”

Charlotte Crown win UPSHOT League’s inaugural championship

Charlotte Crown celebrate their UPSHOT championship as Deja Kelly (l) receives Ann Meyers Drysdale MVP trophy from award’s namesake. (UPSHOT League photos)

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

ville Waves, the team that not only dominated regular season play but also had homecourt advantage. De“It’s not where you start, it’s where spite a rough start, the Crown, led you finish” — an expression that the by championship MVP Deja Kelly Charlotte Crown of the UPSHOT with 29 points, came away with the League embodied in winning the 81–76 victory. league’s inaugural championship. “It feels really good to be a The team that started the season champ, but it feels even better 1–6 faced off against the Jackson- to have gotten the job done with

such a great group and great coaches,” said A.D. Durr, who had 11 points in the championship game. “I will forever treasure this … Winning on the road made this game even more special for us.” This inaugural season featured four teams: Waves, Crown, Greensboro Groove, and Savannah Steel. A plethora of talent took to the

courts in the 34-game schedule. “It challenges you mentally and physically,” said Durr. “That puts you into a space where you really have to dig deep and find a way to get the job done.” It was a collective effort. “It was special to see all your hard work pay off,” Durr said. “Every day in practice we were grinding … We

needed everybody on that team. We all had to learn and we all had to teach at some point.” For Durr, this was a return to form, showing the moves that made them the No. 2 pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft. “I progressed throughout the season; I do feel I got better,” they said. “With it being my first full season in two years, I’m thankful to be back out there … My next step is getting some rest and then getting back to the court, and continue to get better.” Season MVP went to Ariel Hearn of the Waves. The Crown’s Schaquilla Nunn is Defensive Player of the Year and Taylor Soule received the Sixth Woman award. The All-UPSHOT Team is Hearn, Nunn, Kelly, Diamond Johnson (Groove), Lasha Petree (Steel), and Rennia Davis (Waves). Being part of the inception of UPSHOT was motivating for Durr. “I know it comes with a higher responsibility in terms of making sure you are a good representation, not just of you but your team, the league, the coaches,” they said. “I’m thankful to be part of something so special.”

40 • September 10, 2026 - September 16, 2026

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Sports Big Foe Tiafoe and Ben Shelton storm into the U.S. Open semifinals By JUANNE HARRIS Special to the AmNews An American player will be center stage on Sunday at the U.S. Open men’s singles finals trying to end a 23-year drought. The last American man to win the tournament was Andy Roddick in 2003. Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton will face each other tomorrow in the semifinals. Whoever comes through will have a chance to add their name to a list of U.S. Open champions that also includes the iconic Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, and Pete Sampras. It would also mean becoming the first Black man to win the tournament since Arthur Ashe claimed the inaugural Open era title in 1968. “The City Never Sleeps” has long been a catchphrase for New York’s five boroughs. It became literal on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning at Arthur Ashe Stadium. In what was the latest finish in U.S. Open history, concluding at 3:33 a.m. Eastern, Ben Shelton outlasted Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz,

world. I’m just hoping that my best friend, my sister [Emma] up there, don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours.” The fans packed inside Arthur Ashe Stadium at the sprawling USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens didn’t need as many cups of coffee to stay up for Tiafoe’s afternoon match against fellow American Alex Michelsen. Nicknamed “Big Foe,” Tiafoe appeared flat to start his quarterfinals match against the 22-year-old Michelsen, a native of Laguna Hills, California, who jumped out to an early lead, taking the first two sets 7-5 and 6-3. From two sets and a break down — and another break down in the fifth — Tiafoe, 28, from HyattsFrances Tiafoe (pink and gray) will face fellow American Ben Shelton tomorrow in a U.S. Open semifinals ville, Maryland, who after the match. (Margot Jordan photo; AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) match joked that he was “asleep upsetting the two-time (2022, majors (Australian Open, French and raised in Gainesville, Florida. in the first couple of hours,” woke 2025) tournament champion 6-7 Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open). His father, Bryan Shelton, is the up to take the next three sets 7-5, (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) in their “The City of New York showed former men’s tennis coach at the 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) in an epic comequarterfinal match. It ended Al- up tonight until 3 a.m.,” said University of Florida. back win. The grueling match caraz’s previously unblemished the 23-year-old Shelton on the “I always say that this is the went 4 hours and 38 minutes. It 13-0 record versus American men court following his thrilling vic- greatest sports city in the world; was the third time in his career See U.S. OPEN MEN’S on page 37 in singles matches at the four tory. Shelton was born in Atlanta this is the greatest stadium in the

American women move deep into the U.S. Open on home turf By B.L. OLIVER Special to AmNews

Coco Gauff played a women’s singles quarterfinals match at the U.S. Open versus Mirra Andreeva yesterday with the winner advancing to the semifinals. (Margot Jordan photo)

With American men Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton making it to the men’s singles semifinals at this year’s U.S. Open, the American women are determined not to be outdone. No. 3 Jessica Pegula advanced Tuesday with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win over fellow American Emma Navarro, the No. 26 seed. Her reward is No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, in the semifinals tonight (7 p.m.) at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, Queens, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis AMThe News32-year-old Pegula Center. reached her career-high of No. 06/25/26 3 in the world in October 2022 and hit that ranking again this July. The match between Pegula

and Navarro is the first all-American women’s singles quarterfinal since Serena Williams faced her sister Venus Williams in 2015. Yesterday, No. 4 seed Coco Gauff met up with No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia at Arthur Ashe in the quarterfinals with the winner moving on to the semis. On Monday, Gauff defeated 18-year-old fellow American Iva Jovic, the No. 14 seed, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. The victory placed the 22-year-old Gauff in her 12th career Grand Slam quarterfinal. Jovic became the youngest American to reach three Grand Slam fourth rounds in a single year since Venus Williams in 1998. AM News Naomi Osaka, one09/10/26 of the U.S. Open crowd’s favorites, had her run at this year’s tournament ended

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in the Round of 16 on Monday. The 2020 U.S. Open women’s singles champion was defeated by Elena Rybakina, the world’s No. 2 ranked women’s player, 1-6, 4-6. “I think I am happy I’m taking losses differently, ” said the 28-year-old Osaka regarding her emotional growth. “I’m trying to learn from them a lot more. … But for me if I think about my life, my daughter is healthy. Everyone in my family is great. I had the opportunity to play this Slam. I got as far as I could. It’s only up from here I guess.”

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