Home Blog Page 45

Block Party on Quincy Street

Pojanee Fleury
-
0
Block Party on Quincy Street

By Pojanee Fleury
On August 17, 2025, the stretch of Quincy Street between Bedford and Nostrand Avenue transformed into a dance floor making this more than just a regular ‘ole block party – there was a massive bouncy castle, a lively soccer match, an exciting basketball game, food on grills and so much more made it clear that this block didn’t come out to play, they came PARRRTAY!


200 Quincy Street Block association member Denise Bain shared that she has lived on this block her whole life and grew up having fun at the block parties each and it was important for her to keep the tradition going. She explained that the block association mission has been to “build community on the block and make sure we have check points and ways to communicate issues on the block.”

As she spoke, a young person playfully ran up behind and bumping her before running off laughing with excitement. It wasn’t hard to discover that this block was one big family, a united group living their lives not as separated neighbors but together as an interconnected community.


From early morning, the familiar sounds of car horns and traffic gave way to laughter, music, and the excited chatter of neighbors greeting one another. The organizers ensured there was something for everyone as fun activities lined the street.

But it was the dance party that made it unique. For hours, a large crowd in the middle of the street grooved to the beat of Caribbean and Hip Hop music and although there were huge speakers blaring, they asked several times for the volume to be turned up!! They turned the street into a true dance hall!


Ms. Bain explained this is how they do it every year, “this is like “Crooklyn” and the vibe we have seen portrayed in other movies and culture. This is how I grew up, having the best time of my life right on my block!”


This gives a new perspective on the tradition of block parties. You don’t need to go all the way to Manhattan or another borough to have a great time, it can happen right on your own block! By taking part, you’re not just creating a fun event to have a good time, but you are building something lasting, a strong community of people who support each other.

In a world where traditions seemed to be fading, the block party remains strong as an invaluable, historical community building tool.


The event truly captured the heart of the community, bringing together to celebrate the unique spirit of the neighborhood. It left everyone who attended with cherished memories and a renewed appreciation for the vibrant culture and close-knit block that has come to define Brooklyn.

Epic Block Party on Putnam Avenue

Pojanee Fleury
-
0
Epic Block Party on Putnam Avenue

By Pojanee Fleury
On August 17, 2025, Putnam Avenue between Bedford and Nostrand hosted one of the most exciting block parties of the season! The street transformed into a vibrant mosaic of families, friends, and neighbors, gathered to celebrate their shared community.

By far, the most well attended block party with large crowds grouped together along the street engaged in various activities. From several South Asian families sitting together on cultural rugs sharing traditional meals on end of the block to an impromptu reggae music dance off in the middle of the block to a huge inflatable slide with dozens of children lined up eagerly awaiting their turn on the other end and so more in between – this block party had it all!

While pockets of groups were doing their own thing, it was clear that they planned for and looked forward to this day, intending on making the most of the opportunity to have a great time on their block and build their community and that they did!


200 Putnam Block Association Member Elise Davis said, “This block party is about love and community togetherness,” and that was evident as the impressive turn out showed how much people value the block and their time together. Everyone was so happy to be there with shared laughter and hugs filling the streets.


The DJ could be heard saying, “This doesn’t just happen, this is 10 years of work. It didn’t just come together over night. We worked hard to make this happen and we appreciate everyone who helped make it happen and everyone who has come out over the years.”

This was more than just an announcement or statement – it was a conversation. A conversation about community building and how their community got to this level of genuine unity. It was a testament to perseverance, collaboration, and the faith in what they could accomplish together.


Ms. Davis shared that she is the third generation to own her brownstone on the block, bought by her grandmother in 1939. “We are still here. There have been many changes on the block and in Brooklyn and while we welcome that, there are many of us that have been here for generations and I encourage our people to keep what we have and continue to grow with Brooklyn.”


This dynamic block party on Putnam Avenue proved that communities within communities can come together to make a one stronger community. Neighbors of diverse backgrounds came together, sharing stories of resilience and their visions for a brighter future. This gathering was more than a celebration—it was a testament to the power of unity and collective action, showing how preserving cultural roots can empower communities to thrive and shape their future together.
All photos: Pojanee Fleury

Sudan: Will Reopened Airports and Parallel Government End the Suffering

Kazembe Batts
-
0
Sudan: Will Reopened Airports and Parallel Government End the Suffering

by Jeffery Kazembe Batts
IG: @kazbatts
The people of Sudan continue to suffer through the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations. The lack of food, shelter, and security is now ordinary. Yes, the systematic destruction in Gaza is catastrophic and genocidal! There is no doubt about what your eyes are seeing when watching daily on your cellphone, what is happening to the Palestinian people. Look at a world map.

You will strain to see the Gaza Strip, but you won’t miss Sudan, which is more than 5,000 times larger than the Gaza Strip! According to the online news platform The Conversation, 150,000 people have been killed, 14 million have been internally displaced, and 3 million have fled to neighboring countries in Sudan.

The Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum describes how, in the suburbs of Khartoum, unlike Rev. Jesse Jackson’s famous urging of “keep hope alive”, the sentiment among the masses is hopelessness. Believing “the future has been cut off.” She witnessed thousands sleeping outside under the open sun in 100-degree weather during her recent trip.

These people are former students, doctors, and farmers who are barely surviving, many with skeletal bodies, with no one paying attention. Not the US, the EU, the AU, China, or any other government is prioritizing saving the Sudanese people.


Recently, members of the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) celebrated building a new runway at Khartoum International Airport. It is expected to reopen in October. TSC member Ibrahim Jaber proclaimed, “The budget is a war budget, but there are priorities. Which areas we can spend on providing services to citizens? This is most important.

The committee’s work focuses on preparing facilities, whether hospitals, electricity, water, or equipping the airport. When the war between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces started on April 15, 2023, the RSF captured the airport and held it until earlier this year, in March, before being forced out.

Rebuilding the airport and retaking the capital city of Khartoum are significant accomplishments for the internationally recognized Sudan government, led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burham.

They plan to bring in the humanitarian assistance needed for the people and also the military equipment required for the war. This may allow the government to return from Port Sudan on the Red Sea, where it was forced to retreat.


Meanwhile, on July 27, over 1,500 miles away in Nyla in the South of Darfur, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, announced a parallel government.

With Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) leader Abdel Aziz al-Hilu at his side as a top deputy and 27 months into the war, this announcement complicates the process of keeping Sudan from dividing into two states, similar too what happened in Libya after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

Based in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas since 2011, the SPLM-N is a militant political party opposed to the central government in Khartoum. This maneuver expands on Hamedti’s February announcement of the need for a secular “New Sudan”.


Burham and Hamedti are former allies who shared power after the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Collectively, they ousted the budding civilian government in October 2021 before falling out over the military structure.

Bashir had created an uncontrollable monster in Hamedti. Promoting him from being the leader of the Arab Janjaweed militia that terrorized the Zaghawa, Masalit, and Fur African ethnic communities to the leader of the RSF, which was separate from the regular army. The history and contemporary facts on the ground is very complicated with non-Sudanese actors involved! Generals are maneuvering.

The international community is ignoring. Genocide and catastrophic suffering are happening in many places on Earth. Arguably, by sheer numbers, nowhere is worse than Sudan now. What can we do here in America?

Heating Up in August

Eddie Castro
-
0
Heating Up in August

By Eddie Castro
Dare I say maybe just MAYBE the New York Yankees offense has woken. Ever since my ongoing rant on Manager Aaron Boone on last week’s episode of Talk Sports with Eddie, the Yankees have won five of their last six games including a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals this past week. On a series note, the team has played much better and are now receiving some production from their starting pitching despite Ace pitcher Max Fried is struggling lately, pitching to an ERA of 7.00 in his last five starts.


The St. Louis series featured lot of highs for the team including having productive at-bats, something Yankee fans haven’t seen on a consistent basis the past few months. There are three players you can highlight that could potentially be huge factors for the ball club as the regular season winds down. Ben Rice, Will Warren and David Bednar.

Rice has seen his playing time increase within the past month due to the struggles of Austin Wells. During his time in the majors, Rice primarily played first base, but it is important to note he came up in the Yankee farm system as a catcher. Rice has definitely taking advantage of the increase playing time and came up big in a recent game this past weekend where he had a career-high 7 RBIs.


With the ineffectiveness of Devin Williams, General Manager Brian Cashman knew he had to revamp the bullpen in order for the Yankees to be able to close out games especially those nail-biting one run games. David Bednar has seemed to have answered the call when it comes to the guy who will take over the closer role for the Yankees. Since being acquired by the Yankees from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 31, Bednar has pitched to an ERA of 2.33.

His first outing with the Yankees, he struggled surrendering a game-tying home run to Miami’s Javier Sanoja. Since then, he has been lights out. Bednar has been the pitcher Boone has relied upon to close out those high-leverage moments in the ninth.


If the Yankees were to get into the playoffs, the first two pitchers to get the ball in Games one and two will be Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. After that is where things can get very interesting. This is where pitcher Will Warren can play a huge part for the Yankees. Since the All-Star break, despite displaying a mix bag of an up and down season, Warren has been the team’s best pitcher of late.

When he is in the zone and has command of all his pitches, he has been really tough to hit. He’s had four quality starts of six innings pitched in which he’s allowed three of fewer runs. The 26-year-old right-hander has a strong strike out ratio, but can also be erratic at times with his command which leads to a high number of walks.


With the Yankees success of late, they have been able to climb up in the Wild Card standings. As we go to press, the Yankees now hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League with the Red Sox, Mariners and Guardians losing of late. The Bombers are also just five games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Yankees will begin a huge four-games series against the Red Sox tonight in the Bronx.

This upcoming series will definitely have a playoff atmosphere with both teams fighting for a playoff spot. A series like this could ultimately decide the Yankees playoff fate. The Yankees currently have an 8-11 record against AL East teams this year. Only time will tell whether this recent play of the Yankees was just a one-week wonder or a turn around that could lead to some much-needed momentum come October.


Sports Notes: (Football) We are three weeks away from the NFL season. (Baseball) As we go to press, The New York Mets have lost 14 of their last 18 games. The team wraps up a three-game set in Washington this afternoon and will then head to Atlanta to play the Braves on Friday night.

NYC Black Students Excelling On NYS Reading Tests

Editor, Our Time Press
-
0
NYC Black Students Excelling On NYS Reading Tests

Adams, Aviles-Ramos Celebrate Test Score Data Showing Increased Proficiency

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today celebrated newly-released test data from the state showing a substantial increase in reading and math scores for public school children, grades 3 through 8, in the 2024-2025 school year.

New York state data shows the overall percentage of New York City students meeting the state’s bar for English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency increased by 7.2 points since 2024, from 49.1 percent to 56.3 percent.


“These academic gains in English Language Arts and math are a testament to what’s possible when we invest in our young people and believe in their potential, and we are proud of our students, teachers, and the entire school community,” said Mayor Adams.


Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos said ” We are closing gaps, raising achievement in every borough, and making sure more students than ever are on track for long-term success. This is what happens when we stay focused on evidence-based instruction and never lose sight of what’s possible for our young people.”


This growth coincides with the full citywide implementation of NYC Reads, which Mayor Adams and then Chancellor David Banks launched in 2023 2023 to strengthen literacy.


In spring 2025, Mayor Adams and Chancellor Aviles-Ramos announced the expansion of NYC Reads and NYC Solves to an additional 186 schools across 14 districts, totaling over 490,000 students benefiting from this critical initiative.

1...444546...1,292Page 45 of 1,292