By: C. Harrison/March 21, 2016

ADVISE TO WOMEN

Rev. Dr. Ernestine Sanders                             Tina Burke

Queens, New York….. State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village), held a special themed Community Clergy Breakfast today in recognition of Women’s History Month, where topics of discussion were domestic violence and women in ministry. The event was held at Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church in Jamaica.

According to Sanders, it is important to support women because they are the backbone of our community and our culture. He said, “I understand that women hold up half the sky, and that the reason the sky hasn’t fallen is because of the strength of women.”

The month’s keynote speaker was Rev. Dr. Ernestine Sanders pastor of the Evangelical Christian church and Executive Vice President of Clergy United for Community Empowerment (CUCE), who gave a moving speech describing how she used her strength, intelligence and faith in God to become a leader in ministry at the time when most churches and faith-based organizations were headed by men.

Rev. sanders told women not to put themselves in competition with men, because we grow together. She also said, “Don’t get so wrapped up in the women’s movement that you think you don’t need men. You don’t have to bash males to be somebody.” The Rev also encouraged women attendees to network and cross denominational lines. Rev. Sanders believe that women can do anything that their ability allows them to do.

Tina Burke, of the CUCE, also gave a presentation on domestic violence. The organization offers an intervention program for victims and batterers, treating every client with dignity and respect.

By: C. Harrison/March 21, 2016

A CLOSER LOOK

Senator the Honorable Kamina Johnson Smith/Minister of Foreign Affair and Foreign Trade

New York, NY…. Senator, the Honorable Kamina Johnson Smith, was appointed March 7th to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica West Indies.

Minister Johnson Smith, is an Attorney at Law by profession, with 15 years, at the Jamaican Bar.  February 2015, she was lauded and appointed Spokesperson on Education and Youth. Before this, she opened her own law firm after serving as Company Secretary and Head Corporate Affairs and Projects (Legal) of Cable & Wireless Jamaica Limited in 2014.

Accordingly, the Minister has a keen interest in Governance, education, youth and gender affairs, and has successfully tabled Parliamentary motions regarding public sector governance, reintegration of teen mothers in the formal school system, and the review of laws related to violence against women, children, the elderly and person with disabilities.

Senator Johnson Smith, holds a Master of Law in Commercial Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Bachelor of Law from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and a Bachelor of Sets in French and International Relations from the University of the west Indies, Mona. During her years at Cave Hill, the Minister also pursued courses in various aspects of Public and Private International Law. She also subsequently completed professional certificates, including areas such as Legal and Diplomatic French in Guadeloupe as well as Negotiation at the Harvard Law School Professional Program in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Minister is also a graduate of the Norman Manley Law School, where she was Valedictorian, the recipient of awards in Legal Remedies and Advocacy and represented the School as Lead Advocate in mooting competitions in Trinidad and Tobago and Malaysia.

Highly committed to public service and volunteerism, the Minister recently served as a member of the Advisory Board of the ILeed Education Reform Project sponsored by the Jamaica National Foundation. She has successfully managed several philanthropic projects of the LIME Foundation, including international conferences on Children and internet safety and the establishment of a computer centre and training program, at the Athlone Wing of the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre; a residential home for disadvantaged children living with physical disabilities. Moreover, she serve on the Corporate Governance Committee of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) for six years, and has also served as Director of the Factories Corporation of Jamaica and the Early Childhood Commission.

The Minister believes passionately that Jamaica’s best days still lie ahead and is committed to playing her part in seeing them realized.

Minister Johnson Smith was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica and is married. Her recreational activities include sport, yoga, reading and dance.

Posted By: C. Harrison/March 17, 2016

Posted By: C. Harrison/March 16, 2016

Thje Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) is a think tank, which promotes evidence-based policy dialogue within Caribbean societies. CaPRI will be hosting a Diaspora Forum “Diaspora Between Democracies: Security And  Good Governance” on Thursday , March 24, 2016 @ 6:00 pm at the New York Hilton 1335 Avenue of the America, New York 10019. RSVP…. Dresscode: business suit

Posted By: C. Harrison/3/16/2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE 18TH ANNUAL 25 INFLUENTIAL BLACK WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS

New York, NY…… Five Caribbean women will be honored at the Network Journal’s 18th Annual 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards Luncheon, to be held during Women History Month on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

The five Caribbean honorees are Stephern Allison, D.HSc (St. Vincent & The Grenadines). Vice President of Cardiovascular Services & Case Management at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital; Gale Gibson Gayle, Ed. D (Barbados), President of Essex County College; Yvonne J. Graham, R.N. (Jamaica), Associate Commissioner with New York State Department of Health and Director of the Office of Health Disparities Prevention; Marie Mckenzie  (Jamaica), Vice President of Global Destinations Services and Sourcing at Carnival Corporation; and Susan K. Reid (Jamaica), Global Head of Diversity and inclusion at Morgan Stanley.

“It always gives me great pleasure to learn of the accomplishments of my Caribbean sisters and to meet them in person at our awards Luncheon,” says Rosalind McLymont. TNJ’s Guyanese-born Executive Editor and author of the recently published novel, The Guyana Contact. “These five honorees may have been born elsewhere, but they are a part of the beautiful mosaic known as Black America. Our Awards Committee found their outstanding achievements and unstinting community service as Black professional women to be most deserving of the recognitions.”

Presented by Morgan Stanley, the Awards Luncheon, a highly anticipated signature TNJ event, will be held at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, 1535 Broadway (Between 45th & 46 street) in New York City, from 11:00 p.m. TO 2:00 p.m. on March 24. In addition to the presenting sponsor Morgan Stanley, this year’s sponsors are Platinum Sponsor, Aflac, L’Oreal USA, Entergy AfricaStrictlyBusiness.com, and African American Golfers Digest.

The Awards program includes a networking reception, lunch and awards presentation with multi-Emmy Award-winning journalist and Co-anchor, Pix 11, Brenda Blackmon as Mistress of Ceremonies. The annual event attracts a  “Who’s Who” of business executives and decision makers from various industries. The honorees also will be profiled in the Spring 2016 issue of The Network Journal, which will be distributed at the Awards Luncheon.

Tickets are $350.00 if purchased on or before March 17th and $400.00 thereafter. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.tnj.com/25-Influential-black-women-award-luncheon

Posted By: C. Harrison/March 15, 2016

THE NEW MTA BUSES WILL HAVE A SLEEK, MODERN DESIGN

Today State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Roachdale Village)applauded Governor Cuomo and the MTA for investing in upgrades to the city’s bus fleet. Equipping vehicles with the latest technology including Wi-Fi, USB charging ports and digital information screens.

“We live in a time where technology and transportation are so important in people’s lives; and here, Governor Cuomo and the MTA have taken the opportunity for combining the two and make travel better and more productive for all New Yorkers,” Sanders said. “I am particularly excited that these new buses will be debuting in areas of the district I represent. I’m sure many residents will be eager to take advantage of all the wonderful high teach amenities these buses have to offer.”

The first 75 buses will be out on streets starting next month beginning with the Q10 line which serves JFK Airport. And then the Q111, Q113 and Q114 routes, which travels through Richmond Hill, South Jamaica, South Ozone Park, Springfield Garden, Rosedale and Far Rockaway.

Some 2, 042 state-of-the art buses will be added over the next five years, replacing 40 percent of the current fleet and representing a $1.3 billion investment of Capital Program resources. The state is contributing $8.3 billion to help fund the MTA’s $26.1 billion 2015-19 Capital Program.

“These new buses represent a significant and important step in the modernization of public transportation to better meet the needs of a growing ridership,” stated Sanders.

Posted By: C. Harrison/March 16, 2016

First it was these ph books          Now we are down to this…..where has it all gone. The internet has really done a number on us. Its good to know though that some people still use these.

THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB

By: C. Harrison/3/ 16/ 2016

I agree with the consensus totally that the President should get the last say on who becomes the next justice of the peace, the next Chair; taking over the rain from the untimely death of Justice Anthony Scalia. The best person for the job please, after the President confer with members of Congress, and he has done so.

The President should appoint someone that will serve the needs of the people, and not there to serve a few, especially not political friends. We need someone who will be fair to the public at all times, not a few times, someone who will help uphold the Rights of mandatory constitutions and can handle in the right way, the laws of the land that are not racially ignitable.

We need a Justice who will send laws across the land that’s justifiable for all of the people. Someone who will keep us free minded and free spirited thus, we can speak out, write about Justice quietly, demand from our politicians firmly, demonstrate if the need calls for it and say things that we can be called out on or for it later. In other words, allow us to keep our freedom and basically keep our rights intact.

I can tell you that what I remembered most about Justice Anthony Scalia is: He did not stand with all of the people all of the times and the fact that he handed George W. Bush Jr. the 2004 Presidency on a platter, cooked up with all of the fine spices and herbs in tow. And former Vice President, Al Gore, who actually won, got nipped.

I am sure that Mr. Scalia was loved by his family and friends, especially his political friends. Let just say, he did not served this nation as best as he could or in the best way he should have, nor did he put this Nation first.  They say, one shouldn’t speak ill of the dead but I believe this is what he will go down in history for.

Posted By: C. Harrison/March 15, 2016

PRESENTED BY HARLEM’S DWYER CENTER

photo credit George Spense: From L to R Ademola Olugebefola, Playthell  Benjamin, Cliff Frazer, Princess Jenkins, Ademola Mandella, June Terry, Elaine Baskin Bey and Harold Thomas

New York, NY…..On Sunday, March 6, the Dwyer Cultural Center honored recipients Elaine Baskin Bey, June Terry, Ademola Mandela and Princess Jenkins with the first Trailblazer Award for Fashion, Elegance and Style. Board member select new recipients each year based on their contributions as artist in the Fashion Industry in General.

Historian & Journalist Mr. Playthell Benjamin introduced a lecture series slides and photographs. Madame C.J. Ealker, Adam Clayton Powell, Malcolm X and Jack Johnson, were among some of the slides shown, sporting their wardrobe choices.

Attendees came stylishly dressed. Everyone looked their finest whether in vintage or newly constructed pieces, everyone looked fashionably decked out. In all it was a brilliant evening with beautiful people great food and good vibrations.

The event was sponsored by the International Communication Association, Inc. and Co-produced by Ademola Olugebefola and Harold A. Thomas, 111.