________ Franklin square/elmont _______
Graduation Keepsake
Edition
June 25, 2026
HERALD
GRADUATES
Meet the
2026
VOL. 28 NO. 26
Leaders push for TPS extension
New playground opens at Polk
Page 4
Page 20
JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2026
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Solages’ bill on real estate passes Senate
Selene Ferdinand, Royal International Miss New York Role Model Pre-Teen, left, and Rachelle Lewis, founder of Elmont Strong, dance and celebrate during the Elmont Cultural Center and Elmont Alumni Network’s 6th Annual Juneteenth Festival.
Supporters say the measure aims to ensure fair access to listings for consumers in an A bill aimed at increasing increasingly competitive houstransparency in residential ing market. In private listing networks, real estate marketing by regulating the use of private listing information on available homes n e t wo rk s h a s p a s s e d t h e is shared within restricted broker or agent circles Assembly and State instead of being S e n a t e a n d n ow broadly distributed awaits Gov. Kathy in the open market, Hochul’s signature a practice that supto become law. porters of the bill Assemblywoman say can limit buyer Michaelle Solages, exposure and who represents Disreduce competition. trict 2 2 and has “Some people use sponsored the legisprivate listing netlation, said the meaworks just to sell to sure is intended to a certain demopreserve consumer graphic of individuchoice when it als,” Solages said, comes to listing “and that is wrong houses for sale. and illegal in every The legislation, MICHAELLE for m and fashion. i n t r o d u c e d i n SOLAGES We j u s t w a n t t o March, passed the Assemblywoman make sure people Senate on June 1 aren’t using these a f t e r a dv a n c i n g through the Assembly earlier loopholes to further discrimithis year. It would require real nate.” The bill, she explained, estate agents to provide clear, written acknowledgment before would not prohibit private lista property could be marketed ing options, noting that some through private listing net- sellers — such as high-profile works rather than being public- individuals — use them to keep ly advertised through multiple such transactions private. It listing services. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
By HAILEY FULMER
hfulmer@liherald.com
W
Hailey Fulmer/Herald
Annual Juneteenth festival celebrates freedom, culture By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
The Elmont Cultural Center and the Elmont Alumni Network joined forces once again to celebrate freedom, culture and community during their 6th Annual Juneteenth Festival, drawing residents together for an afternoon of fashion, music, poetry and reflection on the significance of the holiday. The event, held Saturday at The Village shopping center in Elmont, 14 Village Ave., commemorated the federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. Through performances, speakers and cultural presentations, attendees honored the resilience of those who endured
slavery while celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Americans. One of the afternoon’s highlights was a fashion show featuring designs by Haitian designer Santia McCoy of S&M Custom Design. Hosted by Carl Lamarre, executive editor of R&B and Hip-Hop at Billboard, the showcase blended culture, history and creativity as models took to the runway in colorful designs inspired by the spirit of Juneteenth. Lamarre emphasized the importance of artistic expression in preserving culture and sharing stories across generations. “One of the most powerful ways culture is preserved and celebrated is through art, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
e just want to make sure people aren’t using these loopholes to further discriminate.