NY Christian Times 2022 Black History Month edition

2 February 27, 2022

BLACK HISTORY MONTH:

What it Means . . .

As we arrive at the end of Black History Month & field, football, gymnastics, boxing, etc.

[February] 2022, it is important to recognize and re- Historic names include Jackie Robinson, Althea

spect the importance and purpose of having a spe- Gibson, Muhammad Ali, Venus and Serena Williams,

cific time annually set aside on the nation’s calendar Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,

to pay tribute to the incredible contributions of Afri- Jim Brown, Wilma Rudolph, Doug Williams, Mi-

can Americans to the growth, development, accom- chael Jordan, Arthur Ashe, Tiger Woods, etc. When

plishments, as well as the legacy of we think about entertainment, it’s

America. an always growing list that includes

Knowing that Africans were Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Are-

originally forcibly shipped to tha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles

America beginning in 1619 and Davis, Denzel Washington, James

the subsequent centuries of Afri- Brown, Dorothy Dandridge, Diana

can Americans as indentured slaves Ross, Prince, Oprah Winfrey, LeBron

up until the post-Civil War period, James, Joe Louis, and on and on, we

when one reflects on the achieve- need to proudly recognize and salute

ments of the former slaves in the the contributions of the aforemen-

fields of education – beginning with tioned and their roles in our growth,

being banned from going to school development, hope, and pride.

to now becoming presidents and However, we must also seriously

chairpersons of major educational realize that there is so much more that

institutions, especially including LLOYD WILLAMS we need to accomplish. As we look at
the historical Black colleges and uni- President the Black Lives Matter Movement and
versities, as well as scientists, profes- remember Trayvon Martin, George
sors, etc., it truly is an amazing suc- The Greater Harlem Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Ar-
Chamber of Commerce

cess story. bery, Eric Garner, etc., we know that

Looking back to 1619 and then there is still a long way to go.

recognizing that we also had the first African Amer- Looking at the dramatically disproportionate

ican president of the United States, Hon. Barack number of people of color being victimized by health

Obama, who was not only elected in 2008 but re- disparities, COVID pandemics, systemic racism, a

elected in 2012, what a remarkable story of political legal system intentionally shaped to work against

accomplishment. We now, of course, have an Afri- the interests of people of color, economic inequities,

can American Vice President, Kamala Harris, who etc., one could look back and feel hopeless.

was a graduate of a historic Black college – Howard But that is not who we are, that is not what we

University, as well as having had African American have been, and that is not who we will be. Like a

United States senators, congress members, mayors, Phoenix, still we rise. However, we will only do so

and governors. The tremendous growth and devel- if we commit to working together (with other inter-

opment of Black people in the political arena is truly ested and supportive allies). If we step up to demon-

extraordinary, especially in light of all of the nev- strate love, respect, and concern for our families,

er-ending obstacles put in our path to limit our polit- neighbors, and communities, we will accomplish our

ical potential and to mute our voice. goal, and “we will overcome.”

But so much of our progress, particularly over the Black History Month provides us with an oppor-

past seventy years, has been attributed to the Civil tunity to reflect on the past, acknowledge the pres-

Rights/Human Rights leaders and advocates includ- ent, and plan for a greater future. But Black History

ing Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm Month needs to be celebrated, honored, and recog-

X, Thurgood Marshall and, of course, the contribu- nized 365 days a year. We must do so. There are

tions of our multiple sports and entertainment heroes no options. Let’s work together and accomplish our

and sheroes in baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, track long- term goals.

3February 27, 2022

2021 ZAILA AVANT-GARDE

was a year of tumults and Spelling Bee Super Champion
triumphs. The coronavirus
raged on as many countries Fourteen-year-old Zaila Avant-garde Not only is Avant-garde a champion
around the world and states captured the attention of the world when speller who correctly spelled the word
in America struggled to find she became the first Black student in the “myrraya” to walk away with the top
normalcy amid the pandemic. United States to win the National Spell- prize and the yearlong championship, she
Beyond the rising cases and ing Bee championship. At 12 years of is also a juggler, a unicyclist, and a bas-
death toll from COVID-19 and age, Jamaican Jody-Ann Maxwell, now a ketball player who can multi-task skill-
a range of natural disasters, lawyer in Illinois, was the first Black stu- fully by spelling, juggling, and cycling
2021 was a history making dent to win the Scripps National Spelling all at the same time.
year for Blacks in America – Bee in 1998.
despite an insurrection in continued next page
Washington, wildfires in
Colorado, Arizona and
California, and another
earthquake in Haiti.
Here’s a look at some of
The Christian Times’
top news stories of 2021.

4 February 27, 2022

ZAILA AVANT-GARDE continued from pg 3

Zaila‘s win MacNolia and her mother had to move to the “nemesis”. At the time, “Nemesis,” the name of
came with $50,000 Blacks-only car once the train crossed into Mary- the goddess of revenge, was capitalized in the
in cash and prizes, and according to this brilliant land and they were not allowed to stay at Willard dictionary and capitalized words were barred
eighth-grader, spelling is like a “side hustle”. Hotel with the other spellers. They were also from the competition. Miss Cox misspelled the
She is the holder of three basketball Guinness placed at a separate table by themselves at the word and was knocked out of the competition. It
World Records and co-holder of a fourth. “Bas- contestants’ banquet. With only 5 competitors is the belief that Cox was intentionally given an
ketball, I’m not just playing it … I am trying to remaining, the judges asked MacNolia to spell unapproved word because of her race.
go somewhere with this. Basketball is what I
do,” she explained. “Spelling is really a side George Floyd’s killer convicted and
thing. It’s like a little hors d’eouvre. Basketball
is the main dish.” sentenced
There is more … Avant-garde is a medalist
and the 2020 champion in the Juniors Division Former cop Derek Chauvin was convicted in continued on pg. 31
with the International Juggler’s Association. April 2021 on all counts in the death of George
She is also an elite unicyclist. Floyd. In June, he was sentenced to 22½ years
Her spelling bee coach Cole Shafer-Ray said in prison. In his sentencing, Judge Peter Cahill
of Zaila, “Most spellers look at words simply as said that Chauvin’s sentence surpassed the states
a sequence of letters to memorize. Zaila looks guidelines of 12½ years because Chauvin great-
at each word as a story. Not only did she know ly abused his power and his position of trust and
each word’s spelling, she also knows its entire authority, and displayed a particular cruelty to-
backstory, its historical context, what roots it wards Floyd.
came from, and the precise orthographical logic
of why every letter of every word had to e exact- The murder of George Floyd was a huge
ly what it is.” spark that highlighted the kind of injustices
Noteworthy is the fact that a 13-year-old that Blacks face in America and the world, and
Black girl named MacNolia Cox from Akron, fueled a nationwide and global outrage that
Ohio, came close to winning the 12th National brought hundreds of millions of people to the
Spelling Bee in 1936. Traveling to the contest, streets across America and around the world.

5February 27, 2022

6 February 27, 2022

When was the last time you looked at your Charting the Path
bank account balance? According to a recent to Your Next
study, over 60 percent of Americans check Milestone
their balance at least once week. This is a hab-
it, if practiced the right way, can you put on types of moments where understanding core start making progress, or simply looking to
the path to achieving your financial goals. financial skills can be the difference maker. refresh your knowledge, consider the follow-
ing as you chart a successful path forward and
Whether you’re looking to becoming finan- The past year has impacted families, friends, take control of your financial future.
cially independent, planning for a long await- colleagues and our community. Since the start
ed vacation, or saving for a down payment to of the pandemic, 44% of Black Americans Advice and Tools
buy your first home, April is Financial Liter- have said that either they or someone in their
acy Month and we want you to be aware of family has experienced a job or wage loss due Our financial goals hub is a great place to start.
some of the tools and skills right now to help to COVID. In these situations, especially, it is Start by picking a goal – save, budget, or build
make your financial journey as smooth as pos- critical to know how to manage your finances credit – and explore advice, offerings and tools
sible. to stay or get back on track. that more simply allow you to control your fi-
nancial future. Our Grow Your Savings page,
But let’s talk about the basics first. Manag- If you’re unsure of where to begin, how to
ing your money can be overwhelming but it CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
doesn’t need to be. Understanding things like
budgeting, saving, paying your bills, and even
building your credit score are skills that can
help you at any stage of your life. Even in
these difficult times with the pandemic when
so many of us are facing greater uncertainty
around our finances and job security, it is these

7February 27, 2022

for example, offers an interactive calculator that specifically for Black and Latinx business own- others coming soon.
maps out a timeline to reach savings goals and ers – stop into your local branch and talk with a
highlights how the Autosave tool can help you Chase For Business representative to see if you Community Centers
manage a regular savings schedule to stay on qualify.
track and meet your goals. Other resources are Look for our newly re-designed Community
also available, such as budget worksheets to Equitable Home Lending Center Branch in Mattapan, which provides fi-
monitor and track monthly spending, guidance nancial health workshops, skills training, small
on using the Credit Journey tool to build and Home equity is also a major contributor to fam- business pop-ups and more. Unlike tradition-
protect credit, as well as background on low- ilies’ wealth, making it imperative that we in- al branches, these localized hubs are designed
cost checking accounts designed to provide ac- crease property ownership among Black com- specifically for the community and with the in-
cess for anyone who has had trouble getting or munities. One way we hope to do this is through tent to close gaps in access to financial educa-
keeping an account in the past. our Chase DreaMaker mortgage, which makes tion, resources and access to capital for reach-
applying for your first mortgage or refinancing ing milestones like buying a house, starting a
Reserved Capital for a current one more attainable with a smaller small business or paying for education.
Business Owners down payment, and by offering reduced mort-
gage insurance, more flexibility around your No matter where you are financially, budgeting
Education, reliable support and resources are credit score, potential assistance grants and and saving are two key habits that can help all
fundamental first steps to financial literacy, but homebuyer education courses. of us bounce back from life’s unexpected mo-
equal access to capital is just as critical. With ments or keep on track to ensure you meet your
41% of Black-owned businesses shuttering Local Advocates goals. That is why we are here to help everyone
since this time last year, COVID-19 has only have open conversations about what it means
worsened the disparities and inequities that In Boston we’ve also hired a community man- to become financially healthy and provide sup-
demand an intentional reprioritization of capi- ager – a new role created by the bank – who will port, tools and advice to get there. Financial
tal. Through our Entrepreneurs of Color Fund, work with the community and small business- health is a journey, and we can help you think
we’re working to provide more access to capital es to increase awareness of available resourc- about a plan for now and the future.
to future entrepreneurs, existing business own- es, and help connect you with financial health
ers and communities who have historically and tools, products and services. Look for more free For more resources, information and access to
unfairly struggled to secure it. JPMorgan Chase interactive programs on topics such as budget tools that can help you achieve your financial
also recently announced it is setting aside funds building, home buying tips, interview and job goals and milestones, visit chase.com/personal/
search skills, how to fund a small business, and financial-goals

8 February 27, 2022

Taking a firm stand to win the battle against a debilitating pan-

demic, systemic racism, and a plethora of human vices, here is a

short list of a dozen key New York region organizations that stand

strong and are continuing to make a huge difference. The New

York Christian Times salutes them.

NAACP1 NEW YORK
STATE

The NAACP New York State Conference, a powerful network of activists and community
leaders building Black political and social power across New York, has been a vital pro-
grammatic component of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
for 84 of the 111-year history of the oldest, most effective, and most respected civil rights
organization in the nation. NAACP units across New York work to change policy to ensure
that every man, woman, boy, and girl has equality and justice at every level of society. Amid
the pandemic the NYS Conference remains active, moving the agenda for freedom and
equality forward under the leadership of dynamic State Conference presidents.

2 One hundred years strong, and still fight-
ing for New Yorkers! In 1922, due to a
lack of coordination in the work of insti- FEDERATION OF
tutions for Protestant children, FPWA was PROTESTANT
founded. 100 years later, this anti-poverty
policy and advocacy organization is com- WELFARE AGENCIES
mitted to economic opportunity and up-
ward mobility. Under the able leadership
of President Jennifer Jones Austin, FPWA
has branched out from its original faith-
based membership to nearly 200 member
agencies and churches throughout the five
boroughs and beyond.

3 The American Foundation for The Univer-
sity of the West Indies (AFUWI) is known
for its transformational leadership, advoca-
cy, and facilitation of higher education as a
pathway to economic and social advance-
ment in the Caribbean and the USA. The
Foundation selects talented, young women
and men who are in dire financial circum-
stances and provides them with access to
higher education so they can break the cycle of generational poverty and make an eco-
nomic impact in their local communities and throughout the Caribbean region. During
the past 10+ years, AFUWI has provided approximately 500 tuition scholarships to stu-
dents across the Caribbean region, donated $7.5 million in goods, and brokered multiple
relationships with other tier one institutions.
continued on pg. 10

9February 27, 2022

Create the highest, grandest
vision possible for your
life because you become
what you believe.

– Oprah Winfrey

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Get information on plan options at metroplus.org

10 February 27, 2022

CONTINUED from page 8

4 In 1945, New York City welcomed the 1199 SEIU organization. Its goal was to pro-
vide basic health, disability and life insurance benefits to 300 New York City retail
drugstore workers with employer-paid contribution. As membership grew, its pro-
gressive leadership created new funds to meet their needs. Today, 1199 SEIU boasts
of its robust healthcare, pension and retirement, training and employment, and most
recently its child care and youth service. Under its current president, George Gresh-
am, 1199 funds are listed as among the largest labor management funds in the nation.

5 The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is the collective bargaining agent representing
the more than 50,000 professional, scientific, and technical public employees in the State of New York
in jobs including nurses, accountants, engineers, and hundreds more. PEF is one of the largest local
white-collar unions in the United States and is New York’s second largest state employee union. PEF
also represents employees who work in private sector jobs and local government agencies. The union
was instrumental in negotiating to expand telecommuting opportunities and members’ rights to more
flexible working conditions during the pandemic and continues to protect members’ health and safety
as they transition back to their worksites from the pandemic shutdown.

6 “Let’s work together to Change Outcomes and Save Lives!” says Aldrin Enis, President of
One Hundred Black Men (OHBM). Enis’s call is a reminder that in 1963 like-minded lead-
ers, including Hon. David Dinkins, gathered together in New York City to advocate for im-
provement of conditions in their communities, giving birth to OHBM. Fifty-nine years later,
OHBM – through their education, health and wellness, mentorship and scholarship programs
with awards of $100,000 in each of the last two years – is indeed changing outcomes and
saving lives.

The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBro) was founded in 1972

7 by a group of business executives and community leaders with a mission to reverse the flight of
businesses and jobs from the South Bronx and to rebuild a community that had suffered from
decades of disinvestment. Fifty years later, SoBro addresses all aspects of community devel-
opment and has helped more than 20,000 students, created and retained more than 40,000 jobs
for area residents, provided affordable and special needs housing, and created the climate for
millions of dollars of capital investment into the South Bronx.

8 When one hears the chant, “No Justice, No Peace,” the National Action Network (NAN) and its
founder Rev. Al Sharpton, come to mind. In the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King,
NAN was founded in 1991 to promote a modern civil rights agenda. Over the years, NAN has
consistently been at the forefront of the fight for police accountability, against police miscon-
duct and other injustices, and ensuring that every vote is counted. NAN is lifting up the vision-
ary voices of youth ages 11-25, placing them at the forefront of the Civil Rights movement.

The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) is a not-for-profit business, civic and

9 community development organization focused on commercial development, educational
services, and small business development as well as the arts, culture, travel and tourism
industries in the upper Manhattan area. GHCC has co-sponsored some of the most import-

ant key development projects in New York City, including the construction of the George

Washington and Triboro Bridges, New York’s first subway line, and the development and

construction of “Strivers Gardens,” one of urban America’s most extraordinary mixed-use

residential and commercial development projects. In 1974, HARLEM DAY was launched,

and has developed and grown to become HARLEM WEEK. This now 4-week celebration attracts in excess of 3.5 million people

and includes jazz, sports, cultural events, business fairs, gospel shows, restaurant special events, and more. The Greater Harlem

Chamber of Commerce is proud of its accomplishments to date, achieved through commitment, support, direct involvement and

contributions of its caring and informed Chamber membership base which now exceeds 1,900. continued next page

11February 27, 2022

CONTINUED from page 10

One of the nation’s first community development corporations is Great-

1 0 er Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC), formed in 1967. Their
pride is on local focused, high-impact programs with a data-driven ap-

proach that leads to the community being revitalized to become the

destination to work, live and play. As GJDC embarks on its 55th year,

many new and exciting developments are happening, including partner-

ing with the Queens Tech Council and the launch of the Entrepreneurs

of Color Bounce Back Grant program.

For the past 100 years, the New York Urban League (NYUL) has been helping

11 New Yorkers live the lives they deserve to lead. Founded by a group of interracial
New Yorkers, the organization began by providing employment and connections
for Blacks migrating from the agricultural and rural South and Caribbean islands

to the industrial urban centers of the North. From landing living wage jobs with

good benefits to putting our youth on the path to a fruitful educational career, the

NYUL has worked to strengthen underserved communities, ensuring everyone

has a seat at the table through educational, employment, empowerment, and ad-

vocacy initiatives.

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (BSRC) is the nation’s first community development corpora-

12 tion, founded in 1967. After witnessing the urban blight and racial disparities in Bedford Stuyvesant, Sena-
tor Robert F. Kennedy along with Mayor John Lindsay and Senator Jacob Javits set in motion the legislative

action that led to the establishment of BSRC.

“The program for the development of Bedford Stuyvesant will combine the best of the community action
with the best of the private enterprise system. Neither by itself is enough, but in their combination lies our
hope.” – Robert F. Kennedy

BSRC’s programing expansion includes the Business Improvement District, and preserving and improving more than 1,000 afford-
able housing apartment units. Colvin Grannum, BSRC’s President and CEO, has marshalled over $12 million in private and $33
million in public capital for investment in Bed Stuy’s commercial strip and cultural hub.

Brooklyn Academy of Music Announces New President

Gina Duncan, who previously she served as its Producing Direc- gramming, adding Humanities and bring people together toward clear
served as the Brooklyn Academy of tor since September 2021. During Archives to her portfolio. Duncan goals, and she understands that
Music’s (BAM) first vice president her tenure, she was responsible for also served as interim head of Mar- BAM must always evolve in order
of film and strategic programming, producing the Sundance Film Festi- keting and Communications during to nurture new audiences and cham-
has been selected as the organiza- val online and in person, as well as the first six months of the pandemic pion innovative programming. We
tion’s new president. She will take managing the Institute’s year-round and led BAM’s curatorial team in are excited to have her back and
over a multifaceted performing arts operations. As Producing Director, transitioning to programs online to look forward to working with her
behemoth with a $50 million oper- she was an integral part of fiscal and reach audiences across the nation. once again starting in April.”
ating budget. artistic planning and oversight for
the Institute. “We saw Gina’s extraordinary Previously, she was a film and
The selection makes Ms. Dun- leadership skills firsthand during community programmer at Jacob
can the first person of color to lead Prior to Sundance, she joined her four years steering BAM’s film Burns Film Center and has produced
the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In BAM’s executive team in January and strategic programming initia- film, TV, and theater for artists Titus
choosing her, the Academy’s board 2017 as Associate Vice President, tives,” shared Nora Wallace, BAM Kaphar, Ja’tovia Gary, and comedi-
selected a candidate with whom Film – a newly created role over- Board Chair. “She has the ability to an Mike Birbiglia. Gina started her
they were familiar, after previously seeing BAM Rose Cinemas and the career at NFL Films, where she re-
tapping an outsider in Katy Clark institution’s repertory film program. ceived a 2004 Sports Emmy Award
— a violinist-turned-arts-executive Under her leadership, its film pro- for her work on HBO’s Inside the
— who left BAM after less than six gram flourished, and a revolutionary NFL. She is a member of the Board
years in January 2021. Ms. Clark’s approach to repertory programming of SPACE on Ryder Farm, the Ad-
predecessor, Karen Brooks Hop- which centered underrepresented visory Board of Jacob Burns Film
kins, spent 16 years as BAM’s pres- voices in cinema was recognized as Center’s Creative Culture fellow-
ident, and a total of 36 years at the a “vital” part of the New York film ship, and on the Editorial Advisory
organization. landscape by The New York Times. Board for SEEN, a film and visual
In 2019, she was promoted to Vice culture journal produced by Black-
Ms. Duncan returns to BAM President, Film and Strategic Pro- Star Projects.
from the Sundance Institute, where

12 February 27, 2022

13February 27, 2022

January 1st ushered in lots of ing their responsibility to serve the diverse constituencies they repre-
firsts and sounded the decla- sent.
ration of a huge political pow-
er shift in New York. This is Each year, The New York Christian Times proudly broadcasts and
a rising brigade of bold, brilliant and publishes this list of Black influencers. These are among the thou-
buoyant Black New Yorkers who are sands of men and women who are making a difference. They awaken
defying odds, stampeding barriers and each day to their mission to serve, their passion to empower, and their
shattering glass ceilings as they bull- commitment to play a role in shaping lives and transforming commu-
doze new paths to racial and class equi- nities.
ty in New York and across our nation.
For the first time in the history of New These 25 leaders were carefully selected by a panel of leaders from
York City, there is the convergence key regional organizations, and they are strong in faith, firm in con-
of a Black mayor, a Black public ad- viction and forward in purpose. They bring knowledge, talents, and
vocate, a Black city council speaker, experience to their work and are solid examples of Black excellence.
a Black police commissioner, and a
Black chancellor of the nation’s largest ADRIENNE ADAMS,
school system. New York County has who represents the
tis first Black district attorney, Bronx 28th Councilmanic
has its first Black borough president, District in Queens, is the first
Brooklyn has its first Black female
leader of the borough’s major political Black to serve as the Speaker
party, and in Albany, there is a Black
lieutenant governor, a Black attorney of the New York City Council.
general, a Black speaker of the New
York State Assembly and a Black chair This 61-year-old graduate of
of the Senate.
Spelman College was first elect-
As our city and state rise from the
impact of the pandemic and as Blacks ed to the Council back in 2017,
in America continue their fight for ra-
cial equality and economic justice, this and also serves as co-chair of
new breed of leaders shares the respon-
sibility to help give deeper meaning to the Black, Latino and Asian
Black lives while meticulously balanc-
Caucus.

Adams was a corporate

trainer who worked in human

capital management at a number

of Fortune 500 companies, specifically focused on executive training and telecommu-

nications management. She subsequently worked as a child development instructor,

training child care professionals and educators.

Speaker Adams was elected by her peers to the Speaker’s chair in the City Council

and has a long history of community engagement, having served as the education chair

for Community Board 12 co-chair of the Jamaica Now Leadership Council, and on the

Queens Public Library Board of Trustees.

Adams now leads the 51-member Council, which oversees a plan that outlines stra-

tegic actions in the areas of workforce and business development, education, health and

wellness, public safety, youth development, housing, transportation and urban planning

and development. continued next page

14 February 27, 2022

CONTINUED from page 13

On January 1, 2022, ERIC ADAMS was inaugurated as the 110th Mayor
of America’s largest city. Adams’s colorful public service career started
as a police officer with the New York Police Department. He moved up
the ranks to Inspector, and after retirement, he ran and was elected New York State
Senator, representing the 20th Senate District in Brooklyn from 2006 to 2013. He be-
came the first Black Brooklyn Borough President in 2014, and after 8 years of service, he was elected
to the mayoralty of New York City.
Adams, 61, was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn and later graduated from Bayside High School in
Queens. He later went on to earn a B.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Master’s in
Public Administration (MPA) from Marist College.
New York’s second Black mayor, after David Dinkins, has been an organizer and advocate for
Black empowerment and criminal justice throughout his career. He co-founded 100 Blacks in Law
Enforcement Who Care and is a former president for the Grand Council of Guardians, a support orga-
nization of Black law enforcement professionals.
He has been one of NYC’s most visible and vocal voices on a broad array of issues that affect New
York’s diverse community and continues to blaze new paths for a more equitable New York.

BRIAN A. BENJAMIN is the Lieutenant Governor for the State of New York and a former
member of the State Senate. The 45-year-old Harlem resident is the son of Caribbean im-
migrants and is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Business School, from which
he earned his MBA.

In September 2021, Benjamin, handpicked by Governor Kathy Hochul, was sworn in to this new
role after serving in the New York State Senate since 2017.

Benjamin was a developer and a financial and investment advisor before venturing into poli-
tics. He organized Young Professionals for Change (YPAC) and was an early supporter of Barack
Obama’s campaign for the US presidency.

Benjamin won his election to the Senate representing neighborhoods including East Harlem, the
Upper East Side, Morningside Heights, Washington Heights, the Upper West Side, and Yorkville in
New York County, and in the Senate, he was soon appointed chair of the Revenue and Budget Sub-
committee, where he focused on divesting public funds from private (for-profit) prisons.

Benjamin is married to Cathleen Benjamin and is the father of one daughter. The family attends
First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem.

Amember of the New York State Assembly, RODNEYSE BICHOTTE HERMELYN rep-
resents the 42nd District in Brooklyn. Her district covers Flatbush, East Flatbush, Ditmas
Park, and Midwood. The 49-year-old Brooklyn native is also the Brooklyn Democratic
Leader, serving as chair of the Kings County Democratic Committee since January 2020.

Bichottte Hermelyn is the daughter of Haitian immigrants and holds a degree in Electrical Engi-
neering from SUNY Buffalo, an MBA from Northwestern University, and an MS
from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Before her journey to public service,
Bichotte Hermelyn worked as a engineer and had assignments in Japan and China.

After her second attempt, Bichotte Hermelyn won the election to the Assem-
bly seat in 2014 and continues to serve since being sworn into office on Janu-
ary 1, 2015. She now serves in diverse capacities and on several subcommittees

including her role as chair
of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minori-
ty and Women-owned Business Enterpris-
es (MWBE’s) and The Governor’s Advisory
Council on Domestic Violence.

In 2020, Rodneyse married Edu Hermelyn,
a District Leader in Brooklyn, NY.

ALVIN BRAGG made history in 2021 when he became the first Black to be elected
as District Attorney for Manhattan (New York County). He previously served as an
Assistant US Attorney in the Southern district of New York and was Chief Deputy
Attorney General of New York.

The 48-year-old chief prosecutor was born in Harlem and graduated from Harvard College
and later Harvard Law School with his Juris Doctor. He also served as an editor of the Harvard
Law Review. continued on pg. 16

15February 27, 2022

The 450,000 healthcare workers of 1199SEIU join the
Christian Times and key community leaders in celebrating
trailblazing Black New Yorkers during Black History Month.

Congratulations to the influential, connected
and respected leaders Creating Tomorrow’s
Black History Today, including our very own
George Gresham, President, 1199SEIU UHWE.
Thank you for highlighting impactful and transformative
influencers in New York who continue to work to

e ect positive change.

WE CARE FOR NEW YORK

16 February 27, 2022 Damon Dash, co-owns The 40/40 Club, ic hardship to get through college. The
Armand de Brignac and Carol’s Daugh- foundation has also focused its efforts to
CONTINUED from page 14 ter beauty products. He is also the own- address water shortage in Africa and has
er of Block Starz Music and Roc Nation been responsive to natural disasters and
His legal career as a public servant Sports, along with several other enter- other crises around the world.
covers a broad scope from law clerk to prises.
criminal investigation and litigation. He Jay-Z is one of Black America’s bil-
was also a law professor at New York Along with his mother Gloria, Carter lionaires and is married to singing sensa-
Law School, where he was co-director of started The Shawn Carter foundation to tion Beyoncé. The couple has 3 children.
the Racial Justice Project. He also repre- assist eligible students facing econom-
sented the families of Ramarley Graham continued on next page
and Eric Garner in their civil litigations
against the city.

In 2021, Bragg ran in a crowded field
for the Democratic nomination for Man-
hattan District Attorney and was victori-
ous. He was sworn in on January 1, 2022,
making him the chief law enforcer for the
nation’s largest and most visible District
Attorney office in the country.

Bragg is married to Jamila Marie
Ponton and the couple has two children.
He is also a Sunday School teacher at
Abysinnian Baptist Church in Harlem.

Born and raised in Brooklyn,
New York, SHAWN COREY
CARTER, otherwise known as
Jay-Z, is an entertainer, songwriter, and
business leader with key interests in me-
dia, fashion, technology, entertainment
and hospitality. The 52-year-old Carter
developed an early love for music, and
back in the early nineties, the rapper
would sell CDs from his car before start-
ing Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995. He
struck a distribution deal with Priority
Records, a division of Universal Music
Group, and in 1996 he released his debut
album, “Reasonable Doubt”.

Jay-Z went on to become a top music
producer and entertainer who is one of
the great influencers of America’s mu-
sic and rap culture. Beyond music and
entertainment, he is also one of Black
America’s leading entrepreneurs. He
co-founded Rocawear clothing line with

17February 27, 2022

ADVANCING Black
entrepreneurship
In New York City

Learn more and get involved at
nyc.gov/benyc

CONTINUED from page 16

Since January of 2016, Following law school, the young attorney
DARCEL CLARK
has been the leading was hired as an assistant district attorney in the
prosecutor for New York’s
Bronx County. The 59-year- Office of the Bronx District Attorney, and would
old District Attorney was
born in the Bronx and raised in the Soundview later serve as the supervisor for the Narcotics
Houses. She is the first member of her immedi-
ate family to go to college. She is a graduate of Bureau before becoming Deputy Chief of the
Boston College and Howard University School
of Law. Criminal Court Bureau. She was later appointed

as a Criminal Court judge before her election to

the Supreme Court in Bronx County. In 2012,

then Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Clark

to serve as an Associate Justice of the Appellate

Division of New York Supreme Court.

Despite his win in the 2015 primary election,

former Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson

stepped down to accept a judgeship. Darcel

Clark would seize that opportunity to step down

from the bench to run in the general election.

She easily defeated her Republican challeng-

er, garnering more than 86% of the votes. She
Swould become the first woman to serve as that
ince 2007, YVETTE CLARKE has rep-
county’s district attorney. resented the 9th Congressional District
Since assuming office, Clark has been stead- in the US Congress. The Brooklyn-born

fast in her posture and commitment to pursue Democrat and daughter of Jamaican immigrants

justice with integrity. She has enacted the Verti- formerly worked as a childcare specialist train-

cal Prosecution Model and has created the Con- ing providers on best practices in providing sup-

viction Integrity Union in collaboration with port and care for children of working parents.

other key initiatives. continued next page

18 February 27, 2022
CONTINUED from page 17

Venturing into public service, DR. HAZEL DUKES is the inde- Johnson’s programs in the ‘60s. Displeasure
Ms. Clarke was an assistant to fatigable civil rights advocate and with policies that she found averse to civil
State Senator Velmanette Mont- political activist who spent most rights advances inspired her outspoken crit-
gomery and Assemblywoman of her life getting into the “good trouble” icism of Presidents Reagan and Bush in the
Barbara Clark, and also worked as the director of which the late John Lewis espoused. ‘80s.
business development for Bronx Overall Econom-
ic Development Corporation and the Bronx ele- Born in Montgomery, Alabama, during Today, Dukes is the New York State
ment of the New York City Empowerment Zone. the Jim Crow era, her family moved to New NAACP president as she continues to advo-
She would later serve one term in the New York York and settled in Long Island where she cate for social change and unfinished civil
City Council before her election to the US Congress found work in the Nassau County Attorney’s rights business.
in 2006. Clarke’s council district included Flatbush, office and found purpose as a community
East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Midwood, Prospect organizer before joining the local NAACP continued on pg. 20
Heights, Lefferts Gardens and Sheepshead Bay. Her chapter.
congressional district covers a much broader territo-
ry, comprising much of Central and South Brooklyn. Marches and protests which led to ar-
In Congress, Yvette Clarke is the vice chair of the rests were routine behaviors for Dukes, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and she serves community activist who managed to grad-
on the Subcommittee on Communications and Tech- uate from college while simultaneously
nology, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufac- launching her outspoken campaigns for mi-
turing and Trade, and the Subcommittee on Oversight nority group rights. She subsequently held
and Investigations. She is also chair of the Congres- high profile public jobs with the State of
sional Caribbean Caucus and the first vice chair of New York Mortgage Agency and the NYC
the Congressional Black Caucus. Off Track Betting Corporation.
Clarke attended the historic Oberlin College in
Ohio and Medgar Evers College in Crown Heights. An NAACP household name, Dukes
served as its National President from 1989
to 1992. Her political activism continued
unabated, resulting in work with President

19February 27, 2022

W W W. C C N Y. C U N Y. E D U

Thank You to Our Community!

20 February 27, 2022

CONTINUED from page 18 dents of violent crimes, Gibson is off and run- rican American to serve in that capacity. The
ning, addressing an array of issues that affect the 150-member Assembly boasts a super Demo-
Alifelong NYC resi- borough and impact our city. cratic majority.
dent, VANESSA
GIBSON is the first The story of the 21st Century NYS labor A numbers cruncher, Heastie earned a BS
Black and the first Woman to movement would be incomplete without degree in Math and Statistics from the NYS
serve as Borough President of a few chapters related to the influence of University at Stony Brook and an MBA from
the Bronx. The history-mak- union leader GEORGE GRESHAM, President Bernard Baruch College, a CUNY school. His
of healthcare union 1199 SEIU since 2007. pre-Albany life included employment as a Bud-
ing elected leader served four years in the New get Analyst in the NYC Comptroller’s Office and
York State Assembly and completed two four- Under Gresham’s leadership, 1199 SEIU has as a Monroe College Adjunct Professor.
year terms as a emerged as a major player in New York econom-
member of the ics as well as political circles and beyond. He di- ADemocrat, lawyer and public servant,
New York City rected the successful 2014 collective bargaining LETITIA “TISH” JAMES is the 67th
Council rep- effort representing 135,000 union members with NYS Attorney General, the first woman
resenting the the League of Voluntary Hospitals of about 90 of color to hold a statewide office and the first
16th Council- institutions in the Greater NY area. He was one woman to be elected AG. One of New York’s
manic District of the protagonists behind the passage of the $15 most powerful politicians, she has a reputation
in the Bronx. minimum wage in NYS. as a left of center official who is impervious to
During her ten- wrongdoing by her peers. Her AG hit list identi-
ure in the City A fixture on annual lists of NY power elites, fies people like former US President Trump, the
Council, Gib- Gresham is also national leader who advocates National Rifle Association, Governor Andrew
son served as for social justice, environmental protection, Cuomo, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD,
the chairperson Medicare for All, women’s and immigrants and scores of corporate miscreants for civil and
of the Public rights. criminal investigations.
Safety Com-
mittee and fo- In 1975 at the age 20, Gresham cut his em- A formidable power-to-the-people advocate,
cused on build- ployment teeth in the housing department at
ing bridges and mending the tension between the NY Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and later continued on next page
New York Police Department and communities, became a clerk in radiology. A union man, he
particularly in Black and Latino neighborhoods. moved up through the ranks from delegate to
She also moved to address the school-to-prison
pipeline and introduced an amendment to the Secretary Treasurer
Student Safety Act. before his ascendan-
cy to the Presidency.
The 42-year-old Gibson is a graduate of the
State University of New York at Albany, from Today, 1199 SEIU
which she earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociol- local is NYC’s larg-
ogy and is also the holder of a Master of Public est union with over
Administration from Baruch College within the 300,000 members.
City University of New York (CUNY) system. The SEIU, Service
Employees Interna-
With the Bronx being active in the news be- tional Union, is the
cause of the recent fire tragedy and several inci- nation’s largest union
with upwards of 2
million members.
Gresham sits on
its Board.

Democrat CARL HEASTIE is a
New York State Legislator from
the Bronx, who is also the Speak-
er of the Assembly, which makes him one
of the most powerful men in government
and one of the “three persons in the room,”
along with the Governor and the Senate
Majority Leader, who control New York
politics.

Elected to the Assembly in 2000 by
local constituents, Heastie was elected
Speaker by Assembly members in 2015,
succeeding Sheldon Silver. The 100th
NYS Assembly Speaker, he is the first Af-

21February 27, 2022

James has organized attorneys general from around the country to sue the federal government for misguided policies.
Before landing in Albany at the AG’s office, she held the elected posts of NY City Council member and NYC Public Advo-

cate. She also served as legal counsel to NYS Assembly Member Al Vann and worked as NYS Assembly Member Roger Green’s
chief of staff, all invaluable experiences for politicos in progress. She flirted with allegiances to both the Democratic Party and
the Working Families Party, both influential to her political aspirations.

A Brooklyn, NY native, James earned a BA from Lehman College, CUNY, and a JD from Howard University Law School.

An American politician and attorney, HAKEEM JEFFRIES, is a US Congressman who has
represented parts of Brooklyn and Queens, NY, since 2013. A rising star in American politics,
Representative Jeffries is the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and the fifth highest rank-
ing Democrat in Congress. He sits on the House Judiciary and Budget Committees.

Jeffries has a reputation for working across the aisle in Congress and is an advocate for social and

economic justice. Criminal justice reform is a permanent fixture on his legislative radar screen. He cre-

ated the George Floyd Justice on Policing Act, and works nonstop to shape a Congressional response to

the COVID-19 pandemic and its related economic devastation.

His pre-Congress work included stints at the Paul, Weiss, Rifkin, Wharton and Garrison law firm,

and at Viacom and CBS before he was elected to serve in the NYS Assembly for six years, during which

time he authored laws pertinent to civil liberties of New Yorkers during police encounters and civil rights

legislation to end prison-based gerrymandering in NYS. For years, New York’s political cognoscenti

keep chatting him up as a NYC mayoral candidate.

Brooklyn born and bred, Jeffries earned degrees from the State University of NY at Binghamton,

Georgetown University and the NYU School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and served

on the Law Review.

Congressman GREGORY MEEKS has been the U.S. Representative for New York’s 5th
congressional district since 1998. His district includes most of southeastern Queens, the
Rockaways, and John F. Kennedy International Airport. He is a strong supporter of the Af-
fordable Care Act and is currently working to promote the extension and expansion of the state’s

Children’s Health Insurance Program. Even before this COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Meeks

was diligently working to increase federal funding for research to facilitate faster development of

cures for diseases and viruses. A multilateralist with decades of experience in foreign policy, Con-

gressman Meeks is the first Black member of Congress to serve as Chairman of the House Foreign

Affairs Committee.

Born in East Harlem and raised in a NYC housing project, Congressman Meeks followed the

paths of his idols – Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston (a mentor to Marshall) – and

received his J.D. from Howard Law School. Congressman Meeks serves as a living inspiration for

the children of Harlem and the country; whether they want to be a member of congress, a judge,

district attorney, or lawyer, it is all feasible. Atrailblazing leader in the not-for-profit sector, ARVA RICE currently serves as the President/
CEO of The New York Urban League, presently headquareted in Harlem, NY. Before taking
the helm at the New York Urban League, Rice was the executive director fo Project Enterprise,
an organization that provides business loans and technical support to unbackable entrepreneurs and as-

pirants. She was also the founding chief executive of Public Allies New York, which runs a hands-on

program acutely designed to provide training and development to young people, guiding them to become

the next generation of non-profit and public sector executives. Ms. Rice’s colorful history of private-pub-

lic sector engagement journeys back to the early years in her career when she was the director for the

Economic Literacy Initiative at Girls, Incorporated.

A commissioner with New York City Equal Employ-

ment Practices Commission and the interim chair of the

Civilian Complaint Review Board, Rice is a bridgebuild-

er and leads an organization whose mission is to build

capacity and to enable Blacks and underserved commu-

nities to secure first class services and race equality.

Arva is a graduate of Northwestern University and is

a member of the Greater New York Chapter of the Links.

Not only is DONOVAN RICHARDS the chief advocate for New York City’s largest bor-
ough by geography, he has solid roots in this mostly suburban-style borough. He was born
and raised in southeast Queens and is a member of St. Albans Congregational Church. He
attended Nyack College and then pursued studies at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.

Richards served as chief of staff to then Councilman James Sanders, Jr. and would later win a
special election to succeed him when Sanders was elected to the New York State Senate back in 2013.

continued on page 22

22 February 27, 2022

CONTINUED from page 21 Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference islative conference.
(SCLC). By the time he was 16, he founded the Under her leadership, the Senate Majority
In the Council, Richards National Youth Movement, Inc., which gathered
was appointed chair of the youths from different parts of the U.S. to raise passed the most comprehensive and aggressive
Committee on Environmen- voter registration, to make cultural awareness climate change legislation in the nation, and the
tal Protection and chair of more prominent, and to bring forth an increase strongest tenant protections and affordable hous-
the Subcommittee on Zoning in job training programs. ing package in state history. Additionally, her
and Franchises. legislative accomplishments include raising the
His later achievements include but are not age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 and
In December 2020, Don- limited to being the host of Politics Nation on fighting for other reforms in the criminal justice
ovan Richards won a special election to serve MSNBC and the radio shows Keepin’ It Real system cutting middle class income taxes to the
out the remainder of Melinda Katz’s term, and and Sunday Mornings with Al Sharpton. lowest levels in over 60 years, and ensuring ac-
in the November 2021 general election, he was cess to quality affordable health care for all New
elected by popular votes, making him the first WAYNE SPENCE was elected the Yorkers, to name a few.
Black male elected to the seat of Borough Presi- Public Employees Federation’s first
dent of Queens, New York. African American President in June A native New Yorker with a strong belief in
2015. PEF is the second largest state labor advocating for the underserved and championing
The 38-year-old elected leader is a strong union, representing nearly 51,000 public sector the needs of working families, Stewart-Cousins
advocate for affordable housing and criminal employees. has been a staunch advocate for hardworking
justice reform, and is committed in his efforts to New Yorkers and small businesses struggling
continue with the development and revitaliza- During his nearly 30 years in state govern- during the pandemic. To this end, the Senate
tion of the borough of Queens. ment working as a parole officer, Wayne has held Democratic Majority has advanced legislation to
numerous leadership positions in the union. He protect small businesses and their workers with
Rev. AL SHARPTON is a strong advo- is known as a leader who demands that the union COVID-19 related financial hardships.
cate for equal rights when it comes to and state follow through on mandates, especial-
healthcare, education and voting. Not ly for member health and safety and community ELINOR TATUM is the publisher and
only is he a well-known civil rights leader, he safety issues. Under his leadership, the union editor-in-chief of The New York Am-
is also the founder and president of the National negotiated two successful contracts that includ- sterdam News, the oldest Black news-
Action Network (NAN) which is comprised of ed across-the-board raises with no givebacks for paper in the City of New York and one of the
over 100 chapters throughout the U.S. He has the membership.
been at the forefront of the modern civil rights continued on pg. 24
During the coronavirus pandemic, he has
movement for nearly a half of a century. He has been an outspoken advocate for state employees
championed police reform and accoutnability, who were deprived of their guaranteed right to
fought for voting rights and equity in education paid quarantine leave, and also negotiated the
and healthcare, and has advocated for those who extension of an agreement for free, mandatory
have been victimized including Yusef Hawkins, COVID-19 testing of all PEF-represented em-
Michael Stewart, Amadou Diallo, Abner Louia, ployees at SUNY state-operated colleges, uni-
Sean Bell, Trayvon Maritn, Eric Garner and oth- versities and hospitals.
ers.
New York State Senator ANDREA
Sharpton’s accomplishments started in his STEWART-COUSINS is a cham-
youth. At the young age of 4 at Brooklyn’s pion for progressive action. In 2012,
Washington Temple Church of God in Christ, he she became the first woman and the first African
had already preached his first sermon. Then at American woman to lead a New York State leg-
13 years old, he served as the Youth Director of
New York’s Operation Breadbasket, which was
the economic arm of Dr. Martin Luther King,

23February 27, 2022

The New York City Police Department is hiring, building a department that better reflects the city it serves.
Today’s Police Department is as diverse as it has ever been. Yet, with Blacks comprising 15.2% of all
officers, the NYPD is striving today to hire more Black officers for tomorrow’s leadership roles.
NYPD leaders often say that, “the police are the people – and the people are the police.”
The NYPD needs all the perspective possible. It needs people who, under their blue uniforms, represent
the communities they come from. People who are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters and
neighbors. A workforce that is representative of the city will help ensure public safety for all – in every
borough, in every neighborhood.
You can help the NYPD move forward to create an even more diverse Department.

Register free of charge, now through March 11, for the next Police Officer Exam.

Be the change. Serve the public. Make New York better.
Join the NYPD.
For more information, and to speak with a recruiter,
visit NYPDRECRUIT.COM or call 212-RECRUIT.

24 February 27, 2022

CONTINUED from page 22 oldest ethnic papers in the United States. She began at the newspaper as a journalist covering local
and national issues affecting Harlem and the Black community. She was appointed editor-in-chief in

1997, becoming one of the youngest publishers in the history of the Black press.

Under her leadership, the publication has evolved from typewriters to total computerization, and has undergone several new

layouts with refocused content relevant to a wider African American comunity in New York and across the nation, and is now

online as well.

A sought after keynote on topics of media, race, politics and culture, Ms. Tatum is a philanthropist and serves on a number

of boards, including the Board of Trustees of Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem.

Congressman RITCHIE TORRES is the 33-year-old representative of the South Bronx, one
of the nation’s smallest congressional districts. Despite his age, this Bronx elected leader is
not new to politics, having served 2 terms in the New York City Council. He was the youngest
member ever elected to the City Council and represented the 15th Councilmanic District, which includes
Fordham, Mount Eden, Parkchester, Tremont, Allerton, Bronx Park and Williamsbridge communities in
the Bronx.

Torres champions several causes including affordable housing, criminal justice, economic justice,
and guns and gang violence, and continues to voice his concerns around these and other key areas. His
stated mantra is “to be a national champion for the urban poor.”

Torres, who is Afro-Latino, was born in the Bronx and raised by his mother in the Throgs Neck
Houses. He was frequently hospitalized for asthma, a result of the mold growing in their apartment. He
attended Herbert H. Lehman High School and was a member of the inaugural class of Coro, a national
non-partisan, non-profit organization that provides young people with leadership development training
for public service.

Torres won the 2020 election and assumed office on January 3, 2021, succeeding Jose Serrano.

REV. DR. CARL WASHINGTON, JR. serves as the current president of the Em-
pire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York, a statewide organization of Baptist
churches. Washington is also the Assistant Dean with the Congress of Christian Edu-
cation for the National Baptist Convention, USA.

A longtime Harlemite, Rev. Washington is the senior pastor for New Mount Zion Baptist
church, a congregation that has grown from 150 congregants to more than 1,100 under his 26
years of leadership. The church has also expanded its ministries with tremendous impact in
worship, health and wellness, media, community outreach, men’s and women’s fellowship, as
well as a substance abuse assistance program called The Eagles.

Active in a number of Harlem-based organizations and a member of the Board of di-
rectors of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI), Washington and his
Harlem congregation have been building bridges as they give the community better access
to the church and its diverse programs. He is regularly consulted by elected and community
stakeholders on a range of issues, and through his congregation and state convention offers re-
sources and support to the formerly incarcerated and the community on issues of employment,
healthcare and other services.

Dr. Washington graduated magna cum laude from LaSalle University and holds two doc-
torates from the University of Virginia at Lynchburg and Eastern Theological Seminary. He

is married to Bernita and the couple has six children.

Aself-described democratic socialist, JUMAANE WILLIAMS has served as the
New York City Public Advocate since 2019. In a crowded field with 18 other can-
didates, Williams was elected in a special election to complete the term of Letitia
James, who resigned to become Attorney General.

He began his activist political career as a member of the New York City Council in 2010,
and was easily re-elected in 2013. Throughout his three terms in the City Council, he cham-
pioned landmark legislation that resulted in transformational change and stood shoulder to
shoulder with marginalized communities fighting for justice and equity for all.

Prior to entering the political arena, Jumaane began his career as a community organizer
by serving as the assistant director for the Greater Flatbush Beacon School and subsequently
as the executive director of NYS Tenants & Neighbors, where he fought for truly affordable,
income targeted housing across the city and state.

In addition to these successes, Williams’ s backstory is equally impressive. At a young
age, he was diagnosed with Tourette’s and ADHD, yet this obviously did not prevent him
from becoming the leader he is today. He made it through the public school system and then

continued next page

25February 27, 2022

CONTINUED from page 24

moved on to earn not one but two college degrees. His drive to keep pushing through school and his passion to do something about the unfair treatment
of women, immigrants and people of color continues to enable him to be the people’s advocate.

LLOYD WILLIAMS is truly a transformational leader who is setting in
motion a success pendulum for a new Harlem renaissance, economically
vibrant beyond COVID-19 and this tense season of systemic racism and
economic injustice.

As the CEO of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and the chair and
co-founder of HARLEM WEEK, the largest summer attraction in the northeast,
Williams is not only a prominent figure in the community but also a leader and
role model. Under his leadership, The GHCC serves as an anchor for regional and
community stability and success and works diligently to focus on Harlem’s second
renaissance.

Mr. Williams sits on the boards of several organizations, including New York
City & Company, and The City College of New York.

Mr. Williams was solidly mentored by the late Honorable Percy Sutton and is
the godson of the late Malcolm X. He takes his inspiration from what’s happening
in communities of color – African Americans, Caribbean Americans, Latinos, Af-
ricans, etc. – with a firm conviction to connect the dots to understand how we all
come together through the strength of unity. He believes Harlem is the most special place in this country – a truly international community – and he’s
honored to be a Harlemite.

CCNY & The Pandemic: BUILT FOR THIS MOMENT

BY GLENDA CADOGAN ers quieted those fears by saying this a public cines and the medical school graduated its stu-
Senior Correspondent | NYCT health crisis and in such a time it’s essential for dents three months early, allowing them to earn
the public good to maintain sanitary conditions. the last three credits while working on COVID
When it was founded in 1847, City College ‘Therefore, we are going to come in and do our patients at local hospitals and clinics. Indeed
of the City University of New York operated on jobs to protect society and our community,’ he when times were tough, “the whole people”
the guiding principle of being “a place for the told his workers. I felt it was such an honorable came together to weather the storm for every-
whole people.” Bearing in mind that in those way to approach the crisis and as such, it was a one. “That gave me great pleasure and cause
days not everyone had access to a college ed- joy to join them.” to very often remind people that we [City Col-
ucation, it was a worthy ideal in that the insti- lege] were built for this moment,” President
tution welcomed African Americans, women, This honorable intent was replicated all Boudreau told the New York Christian Times.
immigrants et all. It is an ideal over campus life at City College as people saw
that has stood the test of time Two years into the pan-
and did so once again during the pandemic as an opportunity to do good demic and “life” is slowly
the pandemic which shuttered things. For example, the lab in the science but surely coming back to the
the classrooms of institutions of building put their research on the back burner majestic campus on the hills
learning across the country. and started manufacturing the sterile medium of Harlem. “We are now at
used in COVID testing and also making face 70 percent in-person classes
“It was terrible!” says Pres- shields. Researchers started working on vac- and every faculty member is
ident Vincent Boudreau of the required to teach at least one
COVID lockdown period. “We course on campus,” Boudreau
went from a normal college explained. “I walk around
campus to being totally online campus now and there are
in three days.” But like a brave people eagerly talking to each
captain, President Boudreau other. It’s a joy to hear them
and his team of senior advisors talking at regular pitch and
showed up on campus everyday then suddenly go into high
throughout the lockdown. With tones when they see someone
the custodian, facilities and security staffers on for the first time since we are back,” President
the job, President Boudreau became a self-ap- Boudreau said, animatedly mimicking a shriek-
pointed essential worker joining them on the ing sound. In trying to describe what it feels
frontlines. “I recall on the onset when we had like now to have people back on campus, Pres-
a meeting and, understandably, some of our es- ident Boudreau was lost for words and simply
sential workers were fearful. One of their lead- said: “It’s liberating!” 

26 February 27, 2022

At the New York City Department of Small Business the infrastructure for the Black business
Services (SBS) we aim to unlock economic opportunity and entrepreneurial ecosystem in New
for all New Yorkers. But all too often many New York York City. We are guided by the wisdom
City communities lack access to the key tools – access of the old African adage: “If you want to
to capital, mentorship, networking opportunities – that run fast, run alone. If you want to run far,
support growth and wealth. This is especially true in the run together.” As a critical example of
Black community. And this is why SBS launched Black this focus, in June 2021, SBS partnered
Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC) in 2019 – the first mu- with Rev. Dennis Dillon and The Chris-
nicipality in the nation to create a program specifically tian Times to produce the City’s first-ev-
designed with a goal of addressing the barriers Black en- er  Five Boro Black Business Forum,
trepreneurs face when starting a business. which convened over 150 entrepreneurs
from across the City to participate in a
Entrepreneurship is one of the most viable and sustainable series of expert panel discussions and
ways to address the racial wealth gap. Families with a self-em-
ployed head of household have double the average income and networking sessions.
nearly 63% higher average net worth of families with a head of Due to efforts like this, over
household who works for someone else. And while 22% of NYC’s 1,500 entrepreneurs have had the opportunity to re-
population identifies as Black, Black entrepreneurs own just 3.5% ceive mentorship, gain information on how to start
of the businesses. and grow their business, and build communi-
ty through BE NYC. With strong public-pri-
Since its inception, BE NYC has worked to create more equita- vate partnerships, I am confident that BE
ble opportunities for Black business ownership in New York City, NYC will continue to expand our reach and
including: impact in 2022.
Among various upcoming initiatives,
• Establishing critical public-private our team plans to deepen our contribution to
partnerships with Mastercard, policy that advances equity in emerging and
Goldman Sachs, Ernst & high-growth industries, and to launch addi-
Young LLP, Founder- tional programs to address the most pressing
Tribes and the Brook- needs of Black entrepreneurs. We believe that
lyn Navy Yard. the future of Black entrepreneurship is indeed
bright, and we look forward to cementing New
• Launching five pro- York City as the #1 city for Black business in the
grams and initiatives
to support Black en- country.
trepreneurship and During Black History Month, as we recognize the many
business ownership, inroads and contributions of the Black community, we must all do
including an e-com- our part to ensure that the Black, and all marginalized communi-
merce best practices ties, have the tools and opportunities needed to thrive. I encourage
webinar series (Digi- you to visit www.nyc.gov/benyc to learn more about how the NYC
tal Doors), a renowned Department of
mentorship program (BE Small Business
NYC Mentors), an entrepre- Services and BE
neurship incubator course (BE NYC can support
NYC Startup Intensive), free business your entrepre-
consulting services (BE NYC Access: Consult- neurial dreams.
ing) and a marketing campaign (Shop Your City: BE NYC)
and the City’s first online Black business directory.

• Hosting 35 webinars and special events, including the in-
augural event for our BE Bold Speaker Series (featuring
Jewel Burks Solomon, Head of Google for Startups) and
our in-person Shop Your City: BE NYC Campaign Kickoff
Event in partnership with The Gentlemen’s Factory, Inc.
and Strivers’ Row.

At its core, BE NYC aims to build community and underpin

27February 27, 2022

Rev. Dr. Hon.UNA

FLOYD CLARKE

FLAKE First Caribbean born woman
Pastor Emeritus of the Greater Allen to serve in the New York City
AME Cathedral, a church they grew Council.
from about 1,000 to more than 28,000 Mother of Congresswoman
members. Yvette Clarke and TV producer
Led the expansion and development of Leslie Clarke, Jr.
hundreds of millions of dollars in A retired educator.
commercial and residential development. Serves on several boards including the Board of Trustees of the
Former US Congressman representing the City University of New York (CUNY).
6th CD in Queens

Hon.DAVID Hon.H. CARL

PATERSON McCALL
First and only Black to serve as
governor of New York State. First Black elected to the office
Served prior as Lieutenant of New York State Comptrol-
Governor. ler. Candidate for governor in
Although legally blind, he was 2002.
elected to the NYS Assembly in Served as chair of the State Uni-
1985 at age 31, became minority
leader in 2003. versity of New York more than 8
Son of the late Hon. Basil Paterson, years and served on several boards
the first Black Secretary of State for including the New York Stock Ex-
NYS as well as a NYS Senator and a deputy mayor. change, TYCO International, and the
Apollo Theatre Foundation.

Hon. Hon. WILLIAM

CHARLES THOMPSON

RANGEL First Black Comptroller of the
City of NY. Was a mayoral
Served 46 years in Congress, candidate in 2009 and 2013.
first Black to chair influential Served as the youngest Bor-
Ways and Means Committee ough President for Brook-
One of the lead architects in the lyn, later served as president
creation of the National Empower- for NYC Board of Education
ment Zone Act, which resulted in the Son of the William Thompson,
creation of Upper Manhattan Empow- Sr., a NYS Senator and Justice of
erment Zone. NY Supreme Court
War veteran and lawyer who graduated Served on numerous boards including
from NYU and St. John’s University, he was awarded both the the American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Children’s
Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He will be 92 in June. Museum and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

28 February 27, 2022

Most people, if asked what City
College of the City University
of New York is, may say simply
that it’s a school; more specifically a place
where young people can get a good, rea-
sonably priced education. But to Vincent
Boudreau, President of the Harlem-based
institution founded in 1847, City College is
much more.

“City College is also about advocacy and leadership,” said
President Boudreau. “We have an education school that for more
than 117 years has been involved in making sure that public ed-
ucation in New York City is equitable. That makes us advocates.
In addition, we have the Colin Powell School of Civic Global
Leadership which caters to producing public leaders from di-
verse backgrounds. This school was founded on the idea that on
our campus we have leaders of tomorrow.” The proud President
also advanced the College’s Engineering and Medical Schools as
geared toward “the interest, culture and needs of the community
of Harlem. I think it is a story that needs to be told a little more
strongly,” he said.

Soon to be added to this culture of inclusion is what’s being
referred to in its still embryonic stages as the Rangel Initiative.
(Not to be confused with the Rangel Center which was initial-
ly intended to house the Papers of former Congressman Charles
Rangel and also offer a master’s degree in Public Administra-
tion.)  The Rangel Initiative, also named after the former Harlem
Congressman and in its final stages on the drawing board, is a
short course specifically aimed at preparing workers for infra-
structure jobs in the community and across the nation.

Boudreau gleamed as he described how the idea was birthed
soon after he took over the helm of the College in 2017. “After
he stepped down from office, Congressman Rangel came to City
College as a Statesman in Residence. On the first day I met him
– which was way before Joe Biden was in White House – he
said to me ‘America’s infrastructure is falling apart, and some-
body will have to do something very big to fix it.’ Moreover, he
pointed out the fact that people who now hold jobs in infrastruc-

continued next page

29February 27, 2022

ture didn’t look like him, using the case of the will be recruited from neighborhoods surrounding the Col-
2nd Avenue Subway extension into Harlem to
cement his position.” The 23-termed Congress- lege like Harlem, the South Bronx and Washington Heights.
man recommended that the College start training
people in the community in preparation for when “We aim to attract people like those who have finished high
the government began spending money on infra-
structure. school but are not interested in going to college; those who

That time has come with the $1 trillion In- for some reason were involved in the criminal justice system;
frastructure Bill signed by President Biden last
November. “Our Engineering School and Trans- military veterans or college graduates with the kinds of de-
portation Institute have both had a long and im-
portant history in infrastructure development in grees that make it difficult to find employment. We want
New York City, starting with places like the Goe-
thals Bridge,” said President Boudreau. to ensure that we take in people who don’t have work and

As such, the College’s crack shot engineer- give them not just good careers but provide them with an
ing team began looking into the infrastructure
bill and they determined that it was not going opportunity to participate in the reconstruction of Amer-
to be about repairing bridges and building roads.
“We recognized that today’s infrastructure jobs ica’s infrastructure.”
will be infused with digital technology, artificial
intelligence and virtual reality,” said Boudreau. The Initiative recently received a financial
“So, if we are going to train a workforce in infra-
structure, they will first have to understand how infusion with both federal and state funding
to navigate a digital online world.”
from the offices of Congressman Adrian Es-
Another significant aspect of the City Col-
lege Rangel Initiative is that it will potentially paillat and Governor Kathy Hochul, respec-
create a veritable third tier entry to infrastruc-
ture jobs. According to President Boudreau, as it tively. “The model is that we will be work-
stands currently, there are two ways one can get
into this particular job market. One is to sign up ing closely with people who are involved in
for a blue-collar job and get trained by the union.
The other is to attend an institution such as City infrastructure development and pay careful
College and get a degree in engineering. But
with a program such as the Rangel Initiative it is attention to what these hiring companies say

possible to create a third tier between those two they need as far as skills are concerned. In
polarities with people who have existing knowl-
edge in computers and digital comprehension this way we close the loophole between how
and train them as interns and apprentices. With
this belief, the Boudreau administration is bent we educate future employees and what em-
on creating this third pathway to putting people
into infrastructure jobs and so created a curricu- ployers need.”
lum to that effect.
In its initial stage, all training under the
The first pool of participants for the Initiative
Initiative will be grant based and is being

mapped out as a 10-week certif- DR. VINCENT BOUDREAU
icate training course with sub-

sequent paid internships and ap-

prenticeships. There will be a basic skill level requirement at the time.

and then specific infrastructure training will be provided in a A testament that the ideals of

number of areas including Transportation, Communications, the Initiative are hitting its mark

Building & Construction Waste Management and Distributed is exemplified in the reaction of

Energy. Robert Paaswell, Distinguished

When Congressman Rangel initially put forward his idea, Professor of Civil Engineering

he espoused its importance at City College and an integral

as firstly a question of jus- member of the team creating the

tice, i.e., giving people curriculum. Now 85, Professor

in his community access Paaswell has been at City College

to jobs. But then he also for 32 years and has worked in in-

pinned it with a patriotic frastructure development through-

tag. For our nation to pros- out the country. Self-described as

per and be strong, we need being “born under the star of FDR

the best infrastructure, and and a folk fan of Congressman

this calls for the best minds Rangel,” he said: “Let me tell you

and energy of the whole how excited I am about this initia-

people working on these tive. Two years ago, I was about

projects, he reportedly said to retire. But when Congressman

Rangel outlined his

plan, it was like a shot

of adrenalin. Now

in some ways I feel

like I’m 18-years-old

again!”

The future of this

model initiative is

brightly wrapped in the

College’s long-stand-

ing motto: “Look be-

hind; look here; look

ahead!” 

30 February 27, 2022

31February 27, 2022

Violent insurrection at the Capitol by

Trumpsters, 5 Dead continued from pg 4

Five people died as a result of the violent protests at the Three white men were convicted in November 2021 –
US Capitol by then President Donald Trump supporters. One and on January 7, 2022 sentenced – in the killing of Black
woman was shot inside the Capitol and four others died after jogger Ahmaud Arbery. Ahmaud was jogging when he
suffering a series of different medical emergencies. Among was confronted and shot in the back by these three men,
them was Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who suf- father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael and their
fered two strokes a day after confronting rioters at the January 6 friend and neighbor William Bryan. Gregory McMichael
insurrection, motivated by Trump and his gang of riotous sup- is a retired law enforcement officer. His son fired the fatal
porters. shot, and it was his neighbor Bryan who captured this hor-
rific event on his cell phone. The video image was leaked
After a rally with fiery speeches by Trump, his lawyer Rudy despite the attempted cover up by the local Glynn County
Giuliani, and others, the mob stormed the Capitol in their at- prosecutors.
tempt to block the certification of the election and to overturn
the results. Trump, a narcissist who resents losing, had sown All three of these armed men were convicted of mur-
seeds of election fraud long before the election in efforts to der and other charges, resulting in mandatory life sentenc-
disguise his defeat and to claim fraud after the election. At the es. The McMichaels will spend the rest of their natural
January 6 “Save America rally, he repeated these claims of a lives in prison, and Bryan must serve at least 30 years
rigged election and said to the thousands of supporters gathered before he is eligible for parole (he’ll be 83 years old then).
in the nation’s capital, “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not
going to have a country anymore.” In handing down his sentence, Superior Court Judge
Timothy Walmsley called Arbery’s killing callous and
All 3 convicted in noted that the three convicts wanted a confrontation.
Ahmaud Arbery’s killing

Pulitzer Awards Citizen-Journalist Citation to “George Floyd”
videographer

Darnella Frazier, the then 16-year-old girl who courageously filmed the mur- continued next page
der of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 and then posted the video on Facebook, was
awarded a special citation by Pulitzer, the journalism awards organization.

A junior in high school at the time of the filming, the gutsy teenager captured
the entire incident on her cell phone and would later testify at the trial that led to
the conviction of Derek Chauvin. The video shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s
neck until he lost consciousness, and records Floyd’s distressed comments that
covered many painful words like “I can’t breathe”, “my neck hurts”, “my stomach
hurts”, “Mama”, and “don’t kill me”.

Frazier has also received a PEN America Award and was named the DailyDot
Internet Person of the Year. Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, noted that “the
taking of that video is maybe the only reason why Derek Chauvin will go to pris-
on.”

32 February 27, 2022

Protect yourself, New York.

Get vaccinated.
Stay up to date with a booster.

Wear your mask.

NYC VACCINE FOR ALL: To learn more, visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder Eric Adams
or call 877-VAX-4NYC. Mayor
SAFE, FREE, EASY
Dave A.Chokshi,MD, MSc
Commissioner

continued from pg 31

Rev. Raphael Warnock, 1st Black US Senator from Georgia

In a hard-fought election and a runoff on aire Jeffrey Sprecher, the CEO of Intercontinen-
January 5, 2021, Rev. Raphael Warnock prevailed tal Exchange and the Chairman of the New York
and made history when he assumed office on Stock Exchange. Warnock rose to prominence
Jannuary 20, becoming the first Black US Senator in George politics leading campaigns to expand
from the state of Georgia. Medicaid and was a strong advocate for the Af-
fordable Care Act.
Warnock is a minister of the gospel and serves
as the senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Bap- The Rev. Senator Warnock served as youth
tist Church, once pastored by Dr. Martin Luther pastor and assistant pastor at Abyssinian Baptist
King as well as King’s father and grandfather. Church in Harlem New York, and subsequently
pastored in Baltimore, before his appointment at
Warnock defeated Republican incumbent Ebenezer.
Kelly Loeffler, who is the wife of multimillion-

Josephine Baker Reinterred: 1st Black Woman buried at the Pantheon

American born dancer, singer and civil rights French luminaries.
activist who moved to France early in her career Baker is regarded as a World War II heroine
and became a member of the French Resistance re- in France, and after her death in 1975, she was in-
ceived a rare honor. In November of 2021, French terred in Monaco, dressed in the French military
President Emmanuel Macron hosted a ceremony uniform with the medals she earned for her role in
for the reinterment of Baker at the Pantheon Mon- WWII. She is the fifth woman and first entertainer
ument in Paris, making her the first Black woman to be honored with a Pantheon burial.
to get the country’s highest honor. Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and was
a megastar in the 1930’s. She moved to France in
The biblically historic monument also houses 1925 to flee racism and segregation in the United
the remains of scientist Marie Curie, French phi- States.
losopher Voltaire, writer Victor Hugo and other continued next page

33February 27, 2022

1st Black Composer

at The Met

HBCU’s Cancel It is a first in the organization’s almost 138-year history. In 2021, The Metropol-
Student Debts itan Opera House announced its first opera by an African American composer. The
production is named after a biblical theme and the novel by Charles Blow, “Fire Shut
Up in My Bones”. Part of the 2021-2022 season, the opera was written by Black
American trumpeter and composer Terrence Blanchard, who has 13 Grammy nomina-
tions under his belt and 5 of those treasured awards sitting on his shelves.

Blanchard’s first opera premiered at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis back in 2015
and “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” had its premier at that theatre as well.

With an active cry for more diversity at major museums and entertainment houses
like The Met, this was a landmark move for The Metropolitan Opera. The produc-
tion starred young bass-baritone singer Ryan Green and an African American woman,
Denyce Graves, played the title character.

Blanchard credits The Met’s management with putting more people of color on
stage doing classical opera and playing other “non-traditional” roles.

2021 was also a year that brough signs of relief
to thousands of students who attend historically Black
colleges and universities (HBCU’s) across the US.
More than 20 HBCU’s are cancelling student debts,
thanks to funding and relief made available through
the Higher Education Emergency Relief federal pan-
demic funds.

While different institutions of higher learning are
choosing to spend the more than $2.6 billion in relief
money differently, these HBCU’s, including Howard
University, South Carolina State, Wilberforce Univer-
sity, Clark Atlanta, and Philander Smith College, are
on a debt forgiveness path, relieving struggling par-
ents and these students of burdensome student debt.

Student loan debt impacts young Blacks far more
than their White counterparts and deepens wealth dis-
parity and economic inequality. The debt cancellation
effort by these institutions has gone over well with stu-
dents, especially in alleviating housing and food costs
for thousands of students and is a precursor to Presi-
dent Biden’s plans to cancel billion in student loans.

Black Woman at the top of World Female Wrestling
Last year at the Tokyo Olympics, an ed Sara Dosho, the 2016 Olympic cham- veloped a short-lived dislike for the sport.
Africa American woman made history pion and 2017 world champion; she beat “She hated it and then she grew to love
China’s Zhou Feng, who defeated her in it and became very good at it,” noted her
when she captured gold in freestyle 2020; she crushed Ukraine’s Alla Cher- coach.
wrestling, becoming the first Black kasova, the 2018 world champion; and
woman to accomplish this feat. she outwrestled Blessing Oborududu, the Tuesday, August 3 inside Makuhari
She is also only the second Amer- Nigerian who would have gained the gold, Hall was a great day of triumph for the
outpowering her other opponents. Wayland Baptist University graduate who
ican woman ever to win holds a Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sports
the women’s wrestling During high school, the Houston, Tex- Science. Holding up the American flag and
Olympic champion- as suburb Mensah-Stock was a track and circling the wrestling mat with tears flow-
ship. field athlete until her twin sister and her ing, the history-making wrestler jumped
The woman of sister’s coach encouraged her to pursue with exuberance and ebullience, and then
whom we speak wrestling, which she did. Her dad was wrapped herself in the flag.
is Tamyra Men- very supportive and encouraging of her
sah-Stock and hers pursuits, and on his way home from one “I kept trying not to cry but the tears
is an incredible of her wrestling matches, he was killed in kept coming. This is the moment I have
wrestling story. In a car crash. She blamed wrestling and de- dreamed about, waited for and worked to
Tokyo, she defeat- achieve,” Mensah-Stock attested.

34 February 27, 2022

Many Black Americans knew from the first December by the New York De- rampant among African Americans and other
reports of the coronavirus pandemic that the partment of Health that read: “Non- people of color. And when the FDA and the
marginalized would feel the devastating brunt of White race or Hispanic/Latino eth- Biden administration seeks to establish a plan to
it. That expectation was not guesswork but based nicity should be considered a risk treat those vulnerable to severe illness, the ques-
on a number of preexisting conditions – poverty factor, as longstanding systemic tion of race is inextricably at the center of the de-
and systemic racism among the most lethal of health and social inequities have
them. Key to the disparity between Whites and contributed to an increased risk of cision – and rightfully so, though it’s sure to get
people of color afflicted with the virus and the severe illness and death from COVID-19.” New pushback from more than Rubio and his cohort.
death rate is access to healthcare, and that con- York, like several other states, was merely fol-
dition remains pertinent in the escalating num- lowing a directive issued by the Biden adminis- So, what’s to be done?
bers of those hospitalized or succumbing to the tration that listed older age, obesity, pregnancy, Dr. Michele K. Evans, a board-certified in-
disease. chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular ternist and medical oncologist, has some ideas
on how to proceed. Writing in the New England
It’s easy to surmise these differences by look- disease among the multiple medical conditions Journal of Medicine, she suggests that we must
ing at the disparity that exists on the detection and factors associated with the “high risk” cate- recognize and begin dismantling the “normal-
and treatment of African Americans with cancer. gory, according to the FDA.
Like the data on cancer, it may take years for a continued on next page
full report on the actual racial disparity as a re- In other words, any person with any of these
sult of the pandemic. medical conditions is eligible for the antiviral
pills, which are very scarce. Sen. Rubio appears
Given the ensuing panic at the onset of the to have no knowledge of the history at the base
virus, very little attention was given to the dif- of many of the medical conditions so often
ferences of race between those who were afflict-
ed.  Even after the media began delivering daily
reports about the outbreak, rarely was a racial
distinction cited.

Quantifying the disparity in terms of race on
Covid-19 and the subsequent Omicron variant is
problematic, and getting data from the CDC on
this subject is currently not available. Nor is it
possible at this time to trace the index on who
gets the testing, treatment and tracing. What is
evidently clear is that raising the specter of race
and the pandemic is a red flag, particularly for
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).

After the Food and Drug Administration au-
thorized extending sotrovimab, a monoclonal
antibody proven effective against the Omicron
variant, only to patients considered “high risk”,
Rubio sent a letter demanding that the agency
update its guidance so that patients seeking treat-
ment would not be prioritized based on their race
or ethnicity, but their medical history.

Rubio made reference to a memo issued in

35February 27, 2022

continued from pg 34 ZipCare urgent care centers offer COVID-19 rapid and PCR testing
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ization and legitimization of race-based
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One of things necessary to correct the (212) 879-6000 (212) 924-1000
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plains, is to expand testing in minority
neighborhoods as well as reduce the time
taken to produce the results and increase
tracking and tracing contacts. She believes
that cost-free temporary housing in order to
isolate non-critically ill and asymptomatic
people residing in densely crowded areas
where the spread of the disease is more like-
ly would alleviate some of the contagion.

Dr. Evans advises that “the dispropor-
tionate burden of COVID-19 on African
American, Latinx, and Native American
populations makes it ethically untenable to
conduct or publish studies that do not clar-
ify whether the variables being studied af-
fect minorities differently. In addition, we
must immediately address current racial
and ethnic disparities in adult vaccination
for preventable infectious diseases, includ-
ing hepatitis B, influenza, and pneumococ-
cal disease.” She also makes an important
point about telemedicine and the inherent
problems that exist when communities are
less endowed and unable to have the bene-
fits of the digital universe.

She concludes: “Health care providers,
health care organizations, and academic
medical centers should consider how their
attitudes, actions, management, and igno-
rance of the realities that shape the lives of
minority populations contribute to health
disparities. Many universities and medical
centers held campus gatherings showing
solidarity with the racial justice protest-
ers. Now is the time to use that protest as a
springboard to develop policies to redress
actions that have contributed to the dearth
of minority physicians and the failure to de-
velop and promote African American and
other minority faculty, as well as a failure
to support career development and higher
pay for lower-level minority workers.”

In the coverage of the virus, its origins,
its treatment, and how it impacts one group
as opposed to another, there will continue
to be dispute and debates, issues that will
probably resonate right into the next iter-
ation of the virus – maybe until the final
variant, perhaps Omega?

36 February 27, 2022

The highly transmissible Omicron World-renowned virolo-
variant of the coronavirus has had its gist Dr. David Ho noted in
a CNBC report that “some-
way with the American population, and mayors, gov- times a rapid fire could burn
ernors and the powers in Washington are softly breath- through quickly and then put
ing a sigh of relief. As the virus prods its way across itself out,” thus suggesting
America leaving antibodies in its wake, many scien- that the rapid spread of the
tists are banking on the prospects that population herd Omicron variant will be the
immunity is within reach. very means to an end for the
pandemic.
Omicron
variant could Ho, a professor at Colum- DR. DAVID HO
weaken or
end the bia University, admitted that his theory is speculative
pandemic,
experts say but also acknowledged that many of his colleagues

and other experts stand in agreement with him. Dr.

Bruce Farber, chief of Infectious Diseases at Northwell

Health, said that the “best case scenario” of COVID-19

would be a highly contagious variant that doesn’t make

most people very sick but would create a baseline of

immunity. “This variant could certainly help to bring

an end to large spikes of a more deadly COVID with

high hospitalization,” Farber explained.

In a recent New York Times

report, Dr. Anthony Fauci,

head of the National Institute

of Allergy and Infectious Dis-

eases, contends that the coun-

try’s focus should radically

shift from general case count

to the severity of cases. “As

we get further on and the in-

fections become less severe,

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI it is far more relevant that we
focus on hospitalizations as

opposed to the total number of cases,” he stated.

Although highly contagious, the Omicron variant
causes way less hospitalizations and deaths, particular-
ly among the vaccinated. The New York Times article
noted that 62% of the US population has received some
form of vaccination and about 30% have received a
booster shot which improves protection.

With the fast-spreading Omicron variant now respon-
sible for some 90% of all COVID cases in the US
and causing much milder illnesses, the belief is that
COVID-19 poses less of a risk than in the past, but
experts continue to caution against complacency.

The idea of the coronavirus pandemic coming to an
end is promising and will allow America and the world
to return to some semblance of normalcy. Nonethe-
less, scientists warn that it is highly unlikely that the
pandemic will complete disappear. “As the virus con-
tinues to adapt to human-to-human transmission, it
may never go away. There will be periods when there
will be more cases and less cases, just as it is with in-
fluenza year after year,” expressed Dr. Timothy Brew-
er, epidemiologist and infectious disease physician and
professor at the University of California.

37February 27, 2022

The New York Christian Times
tracks the global spread of the
coronavirus and tracks the progress
of COVID-19 vaccinations. The fol-
lowing data shows the percentage
of those who are fully vaccinated
in the US. As noted, 64% of the US
population is fully vaccinated, and
seniors between the ages of 65 to
74 are the most vaccinated in the
United States of America. Asians
have the highest percentage among
the vaccinated at 59%, and Blacks
have the lowest at only 38.5%.

By state, it is noteworthy that New
England and northeastern states
from Maine to New Jersey have the
highest percentage of the vaccinat-
ed, and southern states like Arkan-
sas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Ala-
bama and Georgia have the lowest.

The New York Christian Times has
gathered information from a diver-
sity of credible sources, and mea-
sures and compares numbers in
order to develop the most accurate
data. Information has been com-
piled from Worldometer, USfacts.
org, John Hopkins University, and
other sources.

38 February 27, 2022

BYNA ELLIOTT
Head of
Advancing Black Pathways

Last December, Byna Elliott joined JPMorgan Chase & Co. to lead I’m at this point in my career, I’m ready to devote my energies towards
Advancing Black Pathways, the firm’s strategy to strengthen the econom- closing the racial wealth gap. Ultimately, my goal with Advancing Black
ic foundation of the Black community. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase, Pathways is to help JPMorgan Chase succeed in its push to help Black
Elliott was the Chief Enterprise Responsibility Officer at Fifth Third Bank, people achieve sustained economic success. It’s an ambitious challenge
where she oversaw corporate social responsibility and Community Rein- that’s never been executed with such intentionality by a bank and I’m
vestment Act efforts, including environmental sustainability initiatives, excited about the opportunity to contribute.
philanthropy, ethical business practices and economic responsibility.
Last fall, nearly two years after launching Advancing Black Pathways,
In leading Advancing Black Pathways, Elliott will now play a key role JPMorgan Chase announced a $30 billion commitment to advance ra-
in executing JPMorgan Chase’s strategy to address the key drivers of the cial equity in the financial services system. And throughout 2020, we
racial wealth divide through a $30 billion commitment over the next five saw significant financial commitments from a number of firms across
years. We recently caught up with Elliott to discuss why she took on this the corporate sector. In your view, why are these types of initiatives nec-
new role, what she hopes to accomplish, and lessons she’s learned after essary? And how will we know whether or not they’ve succeeded?
more than 20 years in the community reinvestment space.
As bad as 2020 was for us – and for the Black community in partic-
You recently joined JPMorgan Chase to lead Advancing Black Path- ular, I am thankful that it at least sparked a national dialogue and awak-
ways after more than 20 years at Fifth Third. Why’d you decide to take ening on the issue of race in this country. I believe there was a collective
on this new challenge, and what do you hope to accomplish? realization in both the public and private spheres that we’ve got to do
more. That it’s our collective responsibility to take a stand and finally do
I consider it my life’s work to manifest tangible, positive impact for something to address centuries of structural racism in our country. These
communities in need. And I was fortunate enough to have been in a role types of initiatives are necessary because we’ve had a racial wealth gap
at Fifth Third where we were able to make substantial investments in in our country that’s persisted for generations. It’s important that business
underserved communities across this country over the last five years. But and government leaders acknowledge this gap as the end result of policy
I realized back in June of 2020 – following the deaths of George Floyd failures across both the public and private sectors, and that the time has
and Breonna Taylor – that I wanted to do more for the Black community. come for us to address the root causes of it head on. With Advancing Black
Although the work that I’d done prior to joining JPMorgan Chase was Pathways, we decided to focus on several areas where Black Americans
meaningful, I realized that I had a deep desire to focus my energies on have historically trailed other groups: educational achievement, wealth
driving impact and creating economic opportunity for Black people. creation, and long-term career success. To help us understand the impact,
and whether we’re succeeding in making a difference, we’ve set bench-
I know what it’s like to be in need. I’m a proud native Detroiter, and I marks and goals for us to hit across each of these areas. And we run it like
didn’t have much growing up. But my mother and grandmother instilled
within me a sense of community and concern for others. And now that CONTINUED ON PAGE ??

a business – with regular reviews and assessments of our initiatives across 39February 27, 2022
our focus areas. Measurability and accountability are key with these types
of efforts. It’s not enough to just make grand pronouncements. There’s got payments and closing costs, and the lack of dedicated resources in Black
to be consistency and follow-up. and Latinx communities to inform, educate, and counsel.

We’ve managed to do some impactful things with this strategy, in- We have already begun to address these challenges when we an-
cluding a commitment to hire 4,000 Black college students by 2024, our nounced the doubling of our homebuyer grant last summer as well as the
student financial hardship fund to help students cover the cost of personal hiring of Community Managers and Community Home Lending Advisors
finance emergencies and remain in school, and the Currency Conversa- to help meet the banking and home-financing needs of the community.
tions campaign with Essence to help us deliver financial health content to
Black women across the country. And last summer, with so many Black- Additionally, we will continue to partner with community leaders,
owned businesses at risk due to the pandemic, we launched Advancing non-profits, housing counselors, employees, and customers to identify ad-
Black Entrepreneurs to help them address immediate financial needs and ditional needs for getting more people homebuyer ready.
build resiliency in the midst of a difficult economic environment.
Going a step further, over the next five years, we’ve committed $8
We’re going to build on these successes going forward through target- billion in mortgages and plan to originate an additional 40,000 home pur-
ed investments and programs in four key areas under the firm’s Diversi- chase loans for Black and Latinx households. And as part of this invest-
ty & Inclusion framework: Careers & Skills, Financial Health & Wealth ment, we’re focused on improving key home lending products and offer-
Creation, Business Growth & Entrepreneurship, and Community Devel- ings, including a substantial increase in the Chase Homebuyer Grant in
opment. underserved communities.

Let’s talk for a bit about JPMorgan Chase’s $30 billion We want Black and Latinx families to be able to take advantage of
commitment towards racial equity. We know that much historically low interest rates as well, and so we’re going to help an addi-
of that investment will be focused on the Black commu-
nity. What role will Advancing Black Pathways play in tional 20,000
investing those resources in Black communities? households
achieve low-
We’re actually going to play a key role for the firm in er mortgage
this effort. That commitment was structured in a way that payments
will help us address the key drivers of the racial wealth through re-
divide and systemic racism overall. The unfortunate re- financing
ality is that structural barriers in the U.S. have created loans. But
profound racial inequities in the U.S. that have been ex- beyond this,
acerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. And ultimately, we must also
the racial wealth gap puts a strain on economic mobility acknowl-
for families and restricts the U.S. economy. To put this edge that
in perspective, McKinsey noted in a 2019 report that the affordable
racial wealth gap will cost the U.S. economy between $1 trillion and $1.5 housing is a
trillion by 2028 if we fail to act (SOURCE: “The Economic Impact of critical issue
Closing the Racial Wealth Gap,” by McKinsey Research. Aug. 13, 2019 ). for count-
less families
To help us drive maximum impact, we’ve structured the $30 billion across the country. So we also intend to finance 100,000 affordable rental
commitment to focus on four key areas: promoting affordable housing and units over the next five years in an effort to get more families on a path-
homeownership; growing Black and Latinx-owned businesses; improv- way to financial stability.
ing financial health in our communities and increasing workforce diversi-
ty and support for our employees. Advancing Black Pathways will work Based on your experience reinvesting in communities for over two de-
with partners across our various lines of business to develop strategies that cades, what is one important lesson you’ve learned about making sus-
will ensure these resources reach Black households across the country. tainable impact?

Let’s dig a little deeper on housing for a moment. The homeownership In my experience, I’ve found that those of us in positions of influence
gap between Black and White Americans is larger today than it was 50 can always do better. I recently took a hard look at the work I’ve done
years ago. How is JPMorgan Chase planning to help close this gap? over the past 20 years and realized that I thought I’d made much more
progress impacting communities of color than the data showed. The re-
As we look at our unique responsibility and ability to impact change ality is that addressing the racial wealth divide in a meaningful way re-
when it comes to expanding access to homeownership – particularly quires commitment and dedication to equality and inclusion. It demands
among Black and Latinx consumers, we’re focused first on addressing intentionality. It’s a challenge that’s bigger than any one company. But
two big challenges: the struggle to afford the upfront costs, like down as the largest bank in the United States, it’s our responsibility to take this
challenge head on.

To learn more about Advancing Black Pathways, visit JPMorgan-
Chase.com/ABP.

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