INCORPORATING THE WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON VOL. 75 No. 34
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August 21 - 27, 2025
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‘Cutz for Edu’ marks 20 years of giving Freeport students a fresh start Back-to-school event offers haircuts, sneakers and supplies
has been bringing the Freeport community together behind a truly noble cause — ensuring that every student is For the past two decades, the Cutz for equipped to thrive when they start the Edu back-to-school giveaway has been a new school year,” Koslow said in a statesource of pride, unity and generosity in ment. “I am proud to once again be joinFreeport — and this year’s milestone ing forces with Trimz, Heeling Soles, 20th anniversary is set to be no differ- Glory House Recovery and their team of ent. outstanding community stakeholders to From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 23, Nas- support our students.” sau County Legislator Seth Koslow will Broughton, who started the initiative join Trimz Barber Shop owner Leon was quickly joined Legislature’s former Broughton to host the annual event for minority leader, Kevan Abrahams, who Legislative District 5 and 6 supported the annual students. The celebration event, said the idea grew will take place in the vilout of a desire to help give lage’s Municipal Lot #10, children the confidence behind the barbershop, at they need to start school 20 Guy Lombardo Ave. strong. Backpacks and school “It was to stop bullying supplies will be distributat first, when I first did ed on a first-come, firstmy initiative, when (we) served basis, along with did it 20 years ago — just free haircuts, sneakers to help kids out that didn’t from Heeling Soles and have those resources,” other essentials, while LEON BROugHTON Broughton recalled. “To supplies last. Families Owner, Trimz have a fresh haircut, to can also enjoy music from have a cool backpack, to DJ Sour, a video game truck, face paint- have a cool lunch box to go to school.” ing, snacks and light refreshments, an In recent years the event has drawn ice cream truck, cotton candy and a 1,500 to 2,000 people, including about bouncy house. 1,000 children who receive free school The event is presented in partnership supplies. with Debra Mulé, the Legislature’s alter“The community keeps me motivated nate deputy minority leader; Heeling by being in it, watching it, seeing what’s Soles Inc. and Steve Muir, its president going on around me every day,” Broughand cofounder; and Glory House Recov- ton said. “It’s always good to help people ery Inc. and Terenna Williams, the shel- in need that don’t have the resources to ter’s executive director, with support get these things.” from the village and a long list of sponOver the years, support from sponsors, including Affinity by Molina sors and partners has been key. “We got H e a l t h c a r e , A n t h e m B l u e C r o s s a lot of different sponsors and a lot of BlueShield and the Barber and Beauty different people to help join the cause,” Institute of New York. he said. “They pretty much connect us “For two decades, Leon Broughton COntinued On Page 4
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ Courtesy LaShawn Lukes
Officials and supporters of the new greater Hempstead Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 2nd annual Black History Month Festival on aug. 16 in Hempstead’s denton green Park. Left to right, supporter Jammie Freeman, Legislator Scott davis, Chamber President LaShawn Lukes, Chamber Senior Committee Chair tim edwards, Congresswoman Laura gillen, Chamber Membership Co-Chair Latoya Benjamin, Senior Committee Chair Regis inuwa, and Chamber Board Member ilanye Longjohn.
Hempstead Chamber hosts 2nd annual Black History Month Festival
High turnout of Black entrepreneurs in Denton Green Park es.
By REINE BETHANY Special to the Herald
More than 200 attendees gathered in Denton Green Park last Saturday afternoon for the 2nd annual Black History Month Festival, hosted by the New Greater Hempstead Chamber of Commerce. Led by Chamber President LaShawn Lukes, the event showcased 49 local blackowned businesses and nonprofit corporations, who set up awning-covered booths along the blacktop pathway leading through the park. The afternoon’s activities began with a moment of reflection and unity, including a black solidarity prayer and a moment of silence invoked by radio personality James Hodge. Festival-goers were treated to a variety of free services, such as relaxing back and neck massages, acupuncture, and haircuts. Local health and wellness leaders offered valuable resources. Meanwhile, enticing aromas hovered around the booths of local food concerns, with the added touch of custom-made beverag-
This year’s festival took the theme “Spirit of Our Ancestors.” It particularly commemorated the black-owned businesses that flourished during the early 20th century, when former black slaves and their descendants developed comprehensive business communities. The most famous of these communities was in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, widely known as the “Black Wall Street.” Tragically, it was destroyed in 1921 by Tulsa’s white population in a devastating riot, the pretext for which was an alleged offense of a black teenager against a white one. Undaunted, the Greenwood population rebuilt their community. A key highlight of the festival was a display called “Black Wall Street Time Capsules,” which provided a poignant journey through Tulsa’s Black Wall Street, pictured on storyboards in one of the tents. Attendees also viewed the rich legacy of black-owned businesses right in the Village of Hempstead. COntinued On Page 6
mrafiq@liherald.com
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e’re all volunteering our time, and we all come together for the same cause, which is beautiful.