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What’s Going On – 4/6

Antonio Delgado

SPRING 2022 IN AMERICA
NYS: Governor Kathy Hochul appoints Congressman Antonio Delgado, 45, as Lieutenant Governor, replacing Brian Benjamin who recently resigned. Delgado’s name will be on the June 23 Primary ballot on the Lieutenant Governor line. Hochul got Albany lawmakers to create a bill changing the election law. TV news said that Representative Delgado is Black Hispanic. A Congressman since 2019, Delgado is a Rhodes Scholar, who graduated from Colgate University and Harvard Law School graduate, he is an attorney and member of Congress since 2019. His ancestors are African American and Cape Verdean.

The NY electorate and electees are in limbo, not knowing what the Senate and Congressional Districts will look like. Courts rejected NY redistricting maps evaluating them unconstitutional, with a strong Democratic twist. There will be an August 23 Primary for Congress and Senators.

NYC: Last week, Mayor Eric Adams presented his $100 billion budget plan. It compares with no other because we have never encountered multi crises generated by the coronavirus. This will be the first budget in two years sans Federal stimulus funds. His priorities are public safety, jobs, housing, streets with less vehicles…….and the revenue flow. Economic recovery is slow! City Council must approve the budget. Its members want more monies for homelessness, sanitation, and youth programs.

THE NATION
Politico dropped the May 2 bomb. The US Supreme Court drafted an opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark law making abortion legal nationally. Hours later, the US Supreme Court did not deny the claim, only said that the draft is not final. Who is running the nation? The Supreme Court? That action supported by Conservative Republicans in and out of government could affect the November elections. More than 70% of Americans favor the law. This midterm will be just as important as the 2020 American election.

John Roberts

While the nation is divided and lawmakers hold majorities in Congress by one or two seats, who made the US Supreme Court the new conservative arbiter of the American government? Well, the conservatives have won. The Democrats must keep their majority in the House and Senate. Also, the Supreme Court must be expanded. The John Roberts Court will be remembered for dismantling major civil rights laws like Voting Rights and Abortion Rights. When the states began enacting voting restrictions laws in 2021, the Supreme Court made it clear that it would not hear cases opposing new restrictive voting laws. Americans must stop this sharp turn to the right if we are to work towards a more perfect nation.
The Supreme Court could deliver major Democratic victories, in congress and statehouses, this year after it overturns Roe v. Wade.

BUSINESS MATTERS
Congrats to Guy Wood, Sharene Wood, Guy Wood Jr, Louis Johnson, Ashley Muhammed and Kells Barnett, founders of the upscale Harlem Haberdashery, located at 245 Lenox Avenue, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary at that location, on May 7. Harlem Haberdashery is the studio/boutique of 5001 Flavors, a Black-owned custom-made apparel company which created looks for celebs, recording artists, and sports figures such as Jay-Z, LeBron James, Fat Joe and Will Smith. Fashionistas across many professions shop at Harlem Haberdashery, for all needs from ready-to-wear to haute couture.

The Black News Channel, a Tallahassee-based cable TV platform, catering to African Americans, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for $50 million debt. Bankruptcy Judge allowed BNC to borrow $1.5 million to avoid a total shutdown while paying off some creditors and scaling back air time while looking for a buyer.

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EDUCATION
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools restored full accreditation to Atlanta-based MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE, an HBCU, after it was revoked 20 years ago. Founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopalian church, MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE is eligible for Federal education grants.

Eleven NYC High Schools made the US News and World Report List of Top 100 national schools, including Kew Gardens HS, 11; Queens HS for the Sciences; Stuyvesant HS; Bronx HS of Science; Brooklyn Tech, 46; Staten Island Technical; HS of American Studies at Lehman Studies; Brooklyn Latin School, 79; HS for Dual Language and Asian Studies; and Baccalaureate School for Global Education. More NY schools will make the top 100 once NYC Chancellor David Banks expands the Gifted and Talented Program.

Jonelle Procope

Jonelle Procope, Apollo Theater President/CEO, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Howard University at its 154th Commencement ceremony on May 7.

ART/CULTURE
FINE ART: The Skoto Gallery’s new show, George Afedze Hughes, “Moments In Time: Tangents,” 23 works that highlight “parallels between the violence of colonialism and contemporary global encounters,” opens May 5 through June 11, with an opening reception. Ghana-born performance and fine artist, Hughes is a Professor at the State University of Buffalo, NY. Located at Chelsea fine arts district, SKOTO is located at 529 West 20 Street, Manhattan. Call 212 352 8058 or visit skotogallery.com
The Dorsey Gallery’s next show, “OTTO NEALS: Inspirational Moment” opens on May 15. Gallery is located at 533 Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn. Call 718.771.3803

Cheryl Wills


The Metropolitan Black Bar Association, NY, hosts its 38th Annual Anniversary Awards Gala, “Leap into Excellence: The Return of the Black Bar,” Friday, May 20, at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, Manhattan. Gala honorees are distinguished attorneys, including Cynthia Bookhart Adams, Jefferies LLC; Shannon J. Hales, Citigroup Global Markets; Edwina G. Mendelsohn, NYS Unified Court Systems; Tracy Richelle High, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; and Alvin Braggs, NY County District Attorney. Award-winning TV anchor, NY1’s Cheryl Wills (In Focus and NY1 Live at Ten) will host the black-tie Benefit.

NEWSMAKERS
ENGAGEMENT: Congrats to NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner, Laurie Cumbo, former City Councilmember who got a proposal from her fellow of a few years Bobby Didi Olisa, on the red carpet at the Met Gala. A vision in a white and gold down, Cumbo accepted.

RIP: Andre Leon Talley’s funeral was held at the Abyssinian Baptist Church on April 29. Don’t know if service was spread through Black community. NY Post ran pictures of attendees, including Anna Wintour, Naomi Campbell, Marc Jacobs, Gayle King, Martha Stewart, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Diane Von Furstenberg.

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A Harlem-based media consultant, Victoria can be reached at victoria.horsford@gmail.com