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Also Picnicserving honors Bay Park Italian heritage
Carey shows pride at parade
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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2025
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Local nonprofit hopes to start youth initiative ty really is. I want them to go into the world saying they have a better understanding of what Universal Interactions, an they should do.” The nonprofit currently Elmont-based nonprofit that hosts community events across runs several community events the neighborhood, is looking to throughout the year, including expand its work with the poten- an annual Black History Month celebration in Febtial launch of an ruary, a 3-on-3 basafter-school proketball tournament gram for local chilin July, and its dren. upcoming ThanksThe group was giving dinner and co-founded in 2023 holiday pajama by Fenol LaRock, party. Each event is 23, and brothers designed to bring Christiano and neighbors together, Antonio Marcello, and LaRock said also 23, graduates they expect more of Elmont Memorithan 500 guests at al High School’s each this year. Class of 2020. LaRock and the LaRock said he Marcello brothers would like the afterbegan coordinating school program to FENol laRoCk events in 2021 but include workshops, Co-founder, lectures, sports, and Universal Interactions officially launched the nonprofit after other activities their gatherings designed to teach financial literacy, fitness, grew in size. The 3-on-3 baskethealth, engineering, robotics, ball tournament, inspired by and other technical skills that one previously organized by prepare students for success State Sen. Jack Martins at Dutch Broadway Park, was revived by after graduation. “There’s a lot of different the trio in July 2022 and drew needs the community has,” more than 800 participants. The three co-founders also LaRock said. “I want kids to really start learning what realiContinued on page 12
By RENEE DeloRENZo
rdelorenzo@liherald.com
I
Courtesy Kimberly Minto
Kimberly Minto, a fashion lover and entrepreneur, launched her online adaptive fashion magazine, Sitting Beauty, which offers inclusive, disability-friendly beauty tips, in 2024.
Kimberly Minto leads beauty industry in adaptive fashion By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Kimberly Minto has loved fashion since her childhood, often trying on her mother’s clothes and playing with her makeup. A fashion girl through and through, as Minto describes herself, she grew up in Elmont, experimenting with outfits and establishing a style of her own as a teenager. But as a lifelong wheelchair user due to cerebral palsy, her options have been limited. Lacking the mobility to wear certain styles or the dexterity to follow more com-
plex makeup tutorials, Minto found that she had to keep her looks simple, and told herself that this limitation was something she had to accept. “I told my mom I wanted to help the disabled community in some way,” Minto recalled saying when she was just 12. “I said it with such conviction. Then I completely forgot about it until she reminded me recently.” Now in her 30s, Minto has taken it upon herself to change the fashion industry by launching Sitting Beauty Magazine, a subContinued on page 2
just want to be one of those key pillars in the community ... help build a foundation for the youth.