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800 Block Association

Pojanee Fleury
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800 Block Association

Lafayette Ave. Btw. Marcus Garvey and Lewis Avenue

By Pojanee Fleury
On July 12, 2025, the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, NYC, came alive with energy, laughter, and joy as the 800 Block Association hosted its annual Block Party on Lafayette between Marcus Garvey Ave and Lewis Ave. The event featured activities for all ages, from games and art stations for kids to engaging spaces for adults to mingle and reconnect with familiar faces. Neighbors, friends, and families gathered for a fun-filled day of games, delicious food, and unforgettable memories!


The 800 Block Association returned this year to continue building the annual event that had taken a hiatus during the pandemic, ensuring the tradition of bringing its residents together remains a community fixture. This year’s event featured vendors, live DJ, and activities for all ages, creating a vibrant space for residents and community members to reconnect.


The dynamic DJ Hard Hittin Harry kept the energy high throughout the day! A former resident of the block, Harry brought a personal touch to his set, spinning a blend of timeless classics and new hits. He had the crowd on their feet with tracks like the iconic club banger “Follow Me” and the latest dance craze, “Boots on the Ground.”

His playlist wasn’t just limited to one genre—he seamlessly mixed reggae, soca, merengue, and afrobeat, creating a truly dynamic and inclusive experience. DJ Harry’s music brought everyone together, making the day all the more memorable.


And of course, no block party is complete without amazing food! Vendors and home cooks lined the street with vibrant stalls, serving up a mouthwatering selection of dishes that catered to every taste. From classic New York-style hot dogs and burgers to unique, organic baked goods from The Root of Pie Co.—a local business owned by block resident Denise Burke—there was something for everyone to enjoy!


Adrienne, a long-time resident who has lived on the block since she was eight years old, shared just how much the event meant to her. “This block has my heart,” she said. Along with the newly elected board, Adrienne worked hard to ensure the legacy of the Association remained strong, honoring past and present residents alike.

“We started off with a street clean-up with residents,” she explained, “set up activities for the kids and ended with a fun dance party!” Through their efforts, the block party became more than just a gathering—it was a heartfelt celebration of the neighborhood’s history and future.


Families, friends, and neighbors filled the streets, sharing laughter, food, music, and stories that reinforced the strong bonds among them. The event highlighted the incredible dedication of its organizers, who worked tirelessly to bring people together, and the enthusiastic participation of residents, whose energy and pride made the day truly unforgettable.


The 800 Block Association’s annual block party was a symbol of resilience and unity for the neighborhood. The gathering provided a much-needed opportunity for residents to reconnect and celebrate their vibrant community.


Thanks to the dedication of its organizers and the enthusiastic participation of its residents, the tradition of the 800 Block Association continues to thrive, bringing joy and inspiration to all who attended.

Second Half Adjustments

Editor, Our Time Press
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Second Half Adjustments

By Eddie Castro
The New York Mets were one of the hottest teams in baseball to begin the 2025 campaign. With the new acquisition of Juan Soto, manager Carlos Mendoza could plug him right into the lineup between All-Stars Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso.

Despite not having pitchers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas to begin the year due to injury, the Mets once lead Major League Baseball in ERA. When the calendar hit June, the Mets as a team have been in disarray. The teams’ inability to score runs as well as players underperforming has led to the teams recent offensive woes.


The pitching hasn’t been as sharp as it was at the beginning of the season. Entering play on June 13, the Mets had a league-leading team ERA of 2.79 which is astonishing considering that was a huge concern for the team coming into this season.

The wheels seemed to fall off after that. Calculating 16 games after the 13th of June, Mets starters has an ERA of 6.22 which marked dead last in MLB. The Mets starting pitching alone have given up 47 runs in 68 innings.


The team has played a little better recently. Aside from dropping two out of three games to the Baltimore Orioles the Mets took two out of three from the Yankees in which their offense woke up scoring 22 runs in the series and finished off the first half taking two of three from the Kansas City Royals. With the team being decimated by injuries, especially with pitching, help could be on the way.

Frankie Montas just recently came back and if he stays healthy, he could add a much-needed boost to the rotation. The most important injury returns could be Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea. Before Senga went down with a hamstring injury during his start on June 12, he was pitching like an ace for the Mets.


With his recent return to the rotation, Mendoza is hoping he can continue his impressive 2025 campaign and most importantly stay healthy. Senga has been bothered by lower leg issues the past two seasons. Manaea made his 2025 debut last Sunday after being plagued by an oblique strain and elbow discomfort.

In 3 ½ innings, Manaea gave up just one run and struck out seven batters. Definitely a positive sign to see if you are a Mets fan. Another positive for the Mets is the re-emergence of Juan Soto. After a slow start to the season, Soto is inching closer to his elite ability that earned him the richest contract in baseball history. Although he was not selected to the All-Star team, his first half numbers indicate that he should be. He is batting .266 a 919 OPS with 23 home runs and 56 RBIs.


The team will resume play in Ohio tonight against the Cincinnati Reds. Although the Mets are getting back key players as well as Soto sizzling like a hot July day in New York, General Manager David Stearns knows he must find a way to improve the roster. There are few areas the team must address if they wish to return to the National League Championship Series as they did last year.


The bottom half of the lineup is simply not getting it done, which puts even more pressure on players such as Soto, Alonso and Lindor. A player out there like Cedric Mullins (Orioles) or Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox) would be a good upgrade. As far as pitching goes, it’s not just the rotation that needs help, their bullpen does as well.

Danny Coulombe could be a target for the team. He has pitched 0.68 in 35 games this season and the Mets desperately need a left-handed pitcher available to come out the bullpen. Felix Bautista could also be an option. We shall see how the second half looks for the Mets. Even though it’s been a Rollercoaster summer for the team, the Mets are just a half game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East division.


SPORTS NOTES: (FOOTBALL) on Monday, the New York Jets locked up their stud wide receiver Garrett Wilson to a 4-year/$130-million-dollar extension through the 2030 season. He had two years left on his rookie contract. Wilson is one of five players in the NFL to have 1000 yards receiving and 80 catches in each of his first three seasons. Tune in tonight for an All-New episode of Sports talk with Eddie presented by Our Time Press. Tune in on our you tube channel at 5pm. Make sure to like and subscribe and most importantly interact with me as we talk about what’s going on in New York Sports!

Africa Focus: Ethiopia, Egypt, Somalia, and Sudan

Editor, Our Time Press
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Africa Focus: Ethiopia, Egypt, Somalia, and Sudan

By Jeffery Kazembe Batts
IG:@kazbatts


Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali recently announced that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will be officially opened this September. The 6,450 MW hydropower project is located in Guba, on the Blue Nile, 30 km upstream of the border with Sudan. Sudan and Egypt are not happy.

Their governments have taken issue with GERD, fearing its operation threatens their access to the Nile waters, which they depend on.


Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has warned of potential regional instability and highlighted Egypt’s dependence on the Nile River for drinking water and irrigation. Sisi stressed that Egypt was pursuing a diplomatic solution but also stated that “all options are open” if Egypt’s water security is threatened. The Nile supplies 97 per cent of its water needs. Sudan, located between Egypt and Ethiopia, has echoed Egypt’s concerns.


Second only to Nigeria on the African continent, Ethiopia’s population is 130 million. Half of its people do not have access to electricity. Maximizing the use of GERD is a key strategy for increasing electrification in Ethiopian society. In 1929, the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, also known as the Nile Waters Agreement, was signed.

The agreement gave Egypt the right to over 90 per cent of the water, and the rest to the Sudan. This agreement was made while Great Britain controlled both territories. Contemporarily, Egypt and Sudan lean on this treaty while Ethiopia feels it is an outdated example of colonial legacy in Africa.


While preparing to celebrate the official opening of GERD, Ethiopia has an existential issue. It is the world’s most highly populated landlocked country. To solve the problem of a lack of a seaport, Ethiopia has negotiated with the breakaway territory of Somaliland to gain access to a 20-kilometre stretch of Somaliland’s coastline.

This has outraged Somalia, which considers Somaliland a mere province. Somaliland is not internationally recognized. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called Ethiopia’s actions a land grab and a violation of its sovereignty. Recently, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. During the meeting, Egypt pledged to strengthen military cooperation and support Red Sea maritime security.


Meanwhile, as always, non-African states have involved themselves in African issues. Earlier this July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Turkey for a meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations in the areas of counterterrorism and regional cooperation. Previously, Turkey has attempted to broker an agreement between Ethiopia and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland since February 2024. During his first term, in October 2020, President Trump was quoted as saying, “Egypt might blow up the GERD if an agreement wasn’t reached regarding its operations.” At that time, Ethiopia called Trump’s comments “reckless and irresponsible.”


The need for water, electricity, and access to the sea are all critical existential issues to be resolved for national development. The legacy of colonialism in Africa, the current intervention of foreign states, and the lack of a strong African Union derail the growth possibilities of a united and powerful Africa. As the world focuses on fundamentalism in West Africa, exploitation in Congo, and the genocidal war in Sudan, eyes and interest must also be on what is happening in the Northeast and the Horn of Africa.

Jeffries Calls ‘Big, Ugly, Immoral Budget,’ Reckless Immoral Document

Editor, Our Time Press
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Jeffries Calls ‘Big, Ugly, Immoral Budget,’ Reckless Immoral Document

Jeffries Continues the Fight, Focused on 2026 Midterm Elections

By April Ryan
(written before the bills’ passage)
BlackPressUSA Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent
“Ripping health care away from more than 17 million people. That disgusts me,” admonished House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during a speech before the House vote on what he calls “The Big Ugly Bill.”


During Jeffries’ speech, Democrat Congressman Kwesi Mfume of Maryland told this reporter that “Johnson and Trump think they have the votes.” Jeffries notes that Democrats only need four Republicans to stand with them to defeat the legislation.


President Trump called all the Republican holdouts who were planning to vote against his “Big Beautiful Bill,” which the Congressional Budget Office says will add $3.3 trillion to the deficit.
The legislation’s provisions cut Medicare or Medicaid assistance for 16 million Americans as well as SNAP funding that provides food assistance to those in need, while codifying tax breaks for the wealthy, who need no assistance at all.

US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York speaks during a press conference on the steps of the US Capitol after the Senate passed the “Republican Mega Bill” earlier in the day in Washington, DC, on July 2, 2025. The Republican-led US Senate approved President Donald Trump’s mammoth domestic policy bill July 1, 2024 by the narrowest of margins, despite misgivings over delivering deep welfare cuts and another $3 trillion in national debt. Republican leaders had struggled to corral support during a record 24-hour “vote-a-rama” amendment session on the Senate floor, as Democrats offered dozens of challenges to the most divisive aspects of the package. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)


“The eligibility for the children’s health insurance program will also be diminished,” said Jeffries. He stressed that the legislation negatively impacts nutritional assistance programs and the nation’s farmers and is “an all-out assault on the healthcare of the American people.”
Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove of Los Angeles told this reporter, “The righteous indignation of these Republicans who are stealing taxpayers’ hard-earned money to give to the richest of the rich is beyond the pale.”

She feels Republicans rushed this bill for votes. “A bill this large and impactful should have been given longer than 15 minutes in committee. It should have been given longer than the days we had to review it.”


In addition to her peers on the Hill, Dove wants more time for everyday Americans to discuss the legislation and its impact. “My hope is that we have special sessions across the country so that constituents across the nation know EXACTLY how they will be screwed by Trump and his sycophants.”


Jeffries issued a dire warning as he worked to galvanize those who were ready to vote, telling the membership that “all of us as leaders have a responsibility to make life better for the American people.”


Pointing an oratory finger at his peers across the aisle and the current presidential administration, Jeffries said that what we have seen from Republican leadership for “the first six months of the administration has been characterized as chaos, cruelty, and corruption that is not real leadership.” He notes instead that the leadership on this bill failed to demonstrate “courage,” “compassion,” or “commitment.”


The Big Beautiful Bill would also impact the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama.


Obama issued a statement in the lead-up to the House vote, stating, “More than 16 million Americans are at risk of losing their health care because Republicans in Congress are rushing to pass a bill that would cut federal funding for Medicaid and weaken the Affordable Care Act. If the House passes this bill, it will increase costs and hurt working-class families for generations to come. Call your representative today and tell them to vote no on this bill.”


According to Jeffries, Republicans are supporting a “reckless budget that is an immoral document” that tears people down — it is “an all-out assault on the American people.” The congressman from Brooklyn encouraged fellow Democrats and his Republican colleagues to “vote no” against the bill.


Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, had this to say while Jeffries was addressing the nation. “We are in the fight of our lives. The Black Caucus, Black institutions, and leaders in media, politics, and civil rights are working diligently to hold the line on this Bill. The collective power of every mobilizing voice has held strong, resulting in some necessary ‘No’ Votes. If we can stop the bill, we can stop the health and economic burden on our most vulnerable.”


“Stand and Fight for the Future of America”
The following official statement from Democrats condemns President Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill:
“We believe in an America where hard work is rewarded, not punished. Where families can afford health care, put food on the table, and live with dignity.
“This fight is about more than budgets and numbers—it’s about whether we lift people up or leave them behind.


“We will stand and fight for the future of America. For working people. For families. For the next generation.


White House Correspondent April Ryan has a unique vantage point as the only Black reporter covering urban issues from the White House – a position she has held for over 28 years, since the Clinton era. She is the longest-serving Black White House correspondent in history. Her position as a White House Correspondent has afforded her unusual insight into the racial sensitivities, issues, and attendant political struggles of our nation’s past presidents.
April is the Washington D.C. Bureau Chief for BlackPressUSA.com.

Supreme Court Enters Ultimate Culture War

Mary Alice Miller
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Supreme Court Enters Ultimate Culture War

By Mary Alice Miller
The tumultuous 2025 Supreme Court term saw the court vacillate towards eliminating Congress and itself in deference to a unitary executive. But on the trans ideology issue, the conservative majority was firm on its stance regarding trans ideology.


The Supreme Court allowed a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military while legal challenges continue. The ban came from a Trump executive order banning individuals with current or past diagnosis of gender dysphoria and those who have undergone hormone replacement therapy or transition-related surgery from enlisting or serving in the military.
The policy cites military readiness, medical costs, and disruptions to unit cohesion as reasons for its implementation.


The ban leaves transgender service members with two options: voluntarily leave rather than face involuntary separation, or serve in their biological sex.
And in the Skrmetti case, SCOTUS sided with a Tennessee state law banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for the treatment of gender dysphoria in minors, citing the law did not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Court decided that the classification of patients was based on age and medical diagnosis, not sex or transgender status.


Gender-affirming care for minors is now banned in Tennessee, though legal challenges based on other grounds, like parental rights or state constitutions, may still occur.
As of June 2025, twenty-seven states had enacted bans on gender-affirming care for minors. The ruling allows bans in 25 states to remain in place.

Bans in Arkansas and Montana are currently blocked by court order. Montana’s challenge related to the state’s constitution, not federal law. Bans in New Hampshire and Arizona ban only surgical care, which was not at issue before the Supreme Court, and remain in effect.


Days after the term ended, the Supreme Court announced it will consider whether states can ban male-bodied transgender athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports during the upcoming term. At issue is whether state laws in Idaho and West Virginia violate the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause or Title IX, a federal statute that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs. Lower courts sided with the transgender athletes.


The Idaho law considers that state’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which draws “an across-the-board distinction based on sex,” barring trans-identified males from competing in girls and women’s sports leagues. The law was challenged by a transgender student.


The West Virginia case concerns that state’s Save Women’s Sports Act, which bars athletes who were born male from participating on girls’ sports teams in competitive and/or contact sports. That law was also challenged by a transgender student.


Meanwhile, the University of Pennsylvania recently reached an agreement with the Trump administration to block transgender athletes from female sports teams and erase the records set by swimmer Lia Thomas. The federal government released $175 million in frozen federal funds from UPenn that were withheld due to transgender participation in women’s sports at the university.


Lia Thomas participated in the UPenn male swim team and achieved a mediocre record. Thomas transitioned and then joined the UPenn women’s swim team. Thomas then won the 2022 NCAA championship in the women’s 100-meter, 200-meter, and 500-meter freestyle.
Thomas intended to participate in competitive swimming in the 2024 Olympics, but was barred from international events under World Aquatics rules that only allowed transgender athletes who had not experienced biological puberty to qualify.


The U.S. Dept. The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education investigated and found UPenn violated Title IX by “permitting males to compete in women’s intercollegiate athletics and to occupy women-only intimate facilities.”


Under the agreement, UPenn will adopt biology-based definitions for the words ‘male’ and ‘female’ and apologize to female student-athletes who lost to Thomas during the 2021-2022 swim season. UPenn also agreed to restore all individual Division I records and titles to female athletes who lost to Thomas.


This week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a workshop titled “The Dangers of ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ for Minors.” The FTC has broad authority to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The workshop was conducted to help the FTC “understand whether consumers are being or have been exposed to false or unsupported claims about ‘gender-affirming care’ and to gauge the harms consumers may be experiencing.”


During the workshop psychiatrist Dr. Miriam Grossman, author of “Lost in Trans Nation: A Child Psychiatrist’s Guide Out of the Madness”, presented examples of what she called “fraudulent” practices regarding medical records designed to bill insurance companies for gender-affirming treatments.


During a panel on The Politicization of Science, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) was highlighted as an example of establishing Standards of Care based on an agenda as opposed to medical standards.
Presenters included doctors, medical ethicists, whistleblowers, de-transitioners, and parents of de-transitioners.

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