NEW YORK
The MIDTERMS: The extended NY Primary season ended on August 23. The turnout was low, and the electorate was confused. It was a contest for House of Representatives and NYS Senate seats. The Downstate Primary Democrat Congress victors include Jerrold Nadler, District 12; Daniel Goldman, District 10, even though Yuh-Line Niou has not conceded. Representatives Hakeem Jeffries, Nydia Vasquez, Adriano Espaillat, Harlem, and Jamaal Bowman easily defeated their challengers. Now for the face-off with Republicans on November 8. Many Congressional incumbents like Yvette Clarke, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Gregory Meeks did not have challengers. The Washington Post wrote that a Nadler win would make him the only NY Congressional delegation Jewish member. About three decades ago, Jews represented about 50% of the NY Congressional delegation. Contrary to Washington Post predictions, Nadler will have company Daniel Goldman in the NY delegation. A few weeks ago, I lamented the loss of Black Manhattan electeds. The recent NY Primary in District 10 was probably the nation’s most diverse. Assuming that all Democrats win on 11/8, NY will boast five Black congress members come January.
Mayor Eric Adams was hellbent on ousting incumbent NYS Senate socialists/ progressives types like Brooklyn’s Senator Jabari Brisport, whom he sees as blockers of his agenda in Albany. Hizzoner has vocally supported their challengers. Most socialists/progressive Senators were re-elected on Tuesday.
Northern Manhattan State Senator Robert Jackson vanquished his challenger.
Most of the 8/23 Democratic victors will attend Assembly member Inez Dickens’ Summer Soiree fundraiser at her Harlem home on Thursday, August 25, where NY Governor Kathy Hochul will be among the honorees and Democrat muck-the-mucks. Contact 212.531.2858 for reservations.
AMERICA MIDTERMS: Can Democrats keep a US Senate Majority? Of the 100 US Senate seats, 35 are on the November ballot, 14 are Democrats, and 21 are Republicans. Black Senate 2022 candidates include Congress member Val Demings, Florida; Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor; Senator Raphael Warnock. Georgia; Former NC Chief Justice Cheri Beasley; and Charles Booker, Kentucky. This column predicted that Democrats should look at the acquisition of 3-4 more Senate seats to offset renegade votes by Democrat Senators Joe Machin and Kyrsten Simena, Arizona. Speculated that the Democratic emphasis should be on maintenance of all US Senate seats and getting 3-4 more, which could neutralize occasional renegade votes by Dem Senators Joe Manchin, WV, and Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona,
THE BLACK WORLD
August is National Black Business Month which is winding down. According to a Harlem Business Alliance report, it would be ideal for Blacks to spend at least $500,000 with Black businesses in big cities across the US by month’s end. Why not make this a monthly habit?
The Congressional Black Caucus’51st Annual Legislative Conference, aka The Black Caucus Weekend, will be held from September 28 to October 2. The theme “Advocating Our Purpose, Elevating Our Power.” It’s at Washington, DC’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
ARTS/CULTURE
The Dwyer Cultural Center in Harlem, located at 258 St. Nicholas Avenue at West 123th Street, reopens with a 3-day gala, August 26-28, and a celebration of the life of icon Cliff Frazier. It features a fine arts exhibition of works by Ademola Olugebefola, Amy Allure, Jihad Muhammad, Leslie Powell and guest artists from the Grinnell Fine Art Collection. Call 212.222.3060 or visit Eventbrite.com/Dwyer-cultural-center.
BOOK NOTES: The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, hosts its 20th Anniversary Jubilee on October 20, live at Medgar Evers Brooklyn campus. Spearheaded by Dr. Brenda Greene, the Center for Black Literature builds on the tradition and legacy of the National Black Writers Conference. Dr. Greene’s monthly book review column will launch next week, Sept 1, exclusively in OTP.
Look out for WGO and the Fall book season and reviews. Cheryl Wills, NY1 Cable TV anchor and author, has a new book, “ISN’T HER GRACE AMAZING! The Women Who Changed Gospel Music,” a salute to 25 dynamic pioneers and superstars who have transformed gospel music like Mahalia Jackson, The Clark Sisters, Clara Ward, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Aretha Franklin, Cece Winans and Yolanda Adams to name a few. EYE DREAMING PHOTOGRAPHS by journalist/historian ANTHONY BARBOZA will be published in October. Thought leader, prolific writer Edgar Ridley’s new book “THE GOLDEN APPLE: The Anthology, Changing the Structure of Civilization.”
MUSIC: The National Jazz Museum In Harlem releases the first in a new series of never-heard-before concert recordings featuring saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Benny Carter, who is joined by jazz eminences such as Dizzy Gillespie, Hank Jones, Clark Terry, Richard Davis, Milt Hinton, Grady Tate, and others. The series of 8 albums is titled “Benny Carter, The Princeton Concerts,” recorded at his request. Visitors can listen to the series, by appointment, at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, located at 58 West 129 Street.
LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj, and Jack Harlem will co-host the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, which will be televised on August 28
MEDIA: Black women are subjects of the 400-page thick VOGUE Magazine September issue, the month which celebrates fashion culture. Serena Williams dons the Vogue cover with the storyline SERENA’S FAREWELL: I Am Terrible at Goodbyes.” The same issue includes a spread, BEACON OF HOPE MAKES SUPREME COURT HISTORY, about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
NEWSMAKERS
New Yorker Cherilyn “Liv” Wright, 74, is experiencing health challenges and needs immediate financial assistance. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a debilitating condition, more than ten years ago, Liv was recently diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer and suffered third-degree burns on both thighs at her home while trying to make tea this year.
An only child with no immediate family in NY, she needs home care support. A friend Desiree Bredemus has set up a GOFUNDME page to support her and to spread the word. A Modern School alum, the pre-crisis Liv was a renaissance woman, a filmmaker, and a lifestyle blogger. Please donate.
A Harlem-based management consultant, Victoria can be reached at
victoria.horsford@gmail.com