Culture

Black History Month Continues at Lehman College with Poetry & Discussion Series

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  When 22-year-old Amanda Gorman reflected on the fraught state of the country at President Joe Biden’s inauguration with her poem “The Hill We Climb,” she became, in that moment, one of the most visible examples of a rich tradition: Black poets who speak to the urgency of the day, and center African American historical perspectives.   Throughout February, an innovative initiative has been giving the public an opportunity to learn more about that tradition, which stretches back some 250 years, and Lehman College’s Leonard Lief Library has taken a leading role in the effort.   Entitled, “Lift Every Voice: Why African American


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BCC Students Shoot Short Film: “The Essential Bronx: COVID Stories”

By SÍLE MOLONEY
    Like shows on Broadway, live performances by Bronx Community College (BCC)’s Theatre Workshop have been shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its students found another outlet for their talents in Essential Bronx COVID Stories Part 1, a powerful short film written, performed and shot by the students themselves.   Chronicled over the past year, these unique stories are now available to watch, and the public can get to know the lives of the students affected by the pandemic and experience them recounting their stories of struggle.   Dr. John Socas is director of the workshop at BCC.


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“Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” Virtual Walk-Through at Bronx Museum

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A special virtual walk-through of “Shaun Leonardo: The Breath of Empty Space” exhibition is currently on view in the Bronx Museum’s North Gallery. Shaun Leonardo will be joined by the exhibition’s curator, John Chaich, for an in-depth look at the exhibition and the artist’s process on Thursday, Feb. 25, between 1 and 2 p.m. Following the tour, the public is invited to ask questions and have a robust public conversation with both the artist and the curator. Register in advance HERE to receive the link to join.

Empire State Building to be Lit in Red, Black & Green in Honor of Black History Month

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Fashion For All Foundation (FFA), founded by Hannah Stoudemire and Ali Richmond, have partnered with the NAACP NY State Chapter in lighting the Empire State Building in red, black and green (colors that represent the Pan African Flag) in honor of Black History Month 2021. According to the organization, it is the second year in a row that FFA has had the honor to light up the building, and the lighting will take place on Thursday Feb. 25. The Empire State Building will be lit for one evening only, starting at dusk (at 6:07 p.m.) and will shine all evening and


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NYC Parks Presents “Honoring Black History: The Parks Naming Project” Panel Discussion

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In celebration of Black History Month, NYC Parks will host a virtual panel discussion focused on the ongoing effort to name park spaces in honor of the Black experience. The discussion, entitled, “Honoring Black History: The Parks Naming Project” will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.   NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, a fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, will be the panel moderator and the panel will discuss the agency’s work to incorporate Black history into the fabric of New York City and make the park system more diverse and reflective


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Commissioner Mostofi Welcomes Introduction of New Citizenship Act, Warns of Potential Scams

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bitta Mostofi, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, issued a statement, on Feb. 18, in response to U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) unveiling the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.   The bill would create a pathway to citizenship for approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants, most of whom have been long-standing, essential members of various U.S. communities. The bill also places a strong emphasis on the integration of immigrants by increasing access to citizenship, strengthening labor protections, addressing naturalization and other backlogs, expanding access to legal counsel, providing grants for legal services, expanding caps


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City Proposes New Computer Center at Old Fordham Library

By DAWN CLANCY
  The City’s department of administrative services (DCAS) has proposed to Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) to convert the second floor of the currently vacant Old Fordham Library, located at 2556 Bainbridge Avenue in Fordham Manor, into a new computer-based testing and application center (CTAC), to facilitate more opportunities for a wider number of local candidates to apply for City jobs.   At the latest Bronx CB7 housing and land use committee meeting, on Feb. 9, the agency proposed relocating the Bronx’s current CTAC, located at 1932 Arthur Avenue in Crotona, to the Fordham Library location, and judging from the


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on How to Spend St. Valentine’s Day

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers how they planned to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic.   “I do have plans with a special guy this year for Valentine’s Day. We talked about the possibility of going out to a restaurant for this day, and we both decided it’s best to just stay at his place, and he’s going to cook for me. It is because we are choosing not to be around too many people, and who knows if restaurants are going to get crowded on Valentine’s Day, due to reopening of indoor dining on this holiday. I


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Grandma’s New Rap To Children: Wash Your Hands, Yo!

By DAVID GREENE
  A North Bronx grandmother, frustrated that parents aren’t explaining to children why they are being told to wear masks and to wash their hands more frequently, has written a poem/rap and has been distributing copies of it to folks at different sites across the borough in an effort to enhance health education among kids and help them understand why it is important to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.   Long-time activist and Community Board 12 member, Barbara Gibson, 81, recalled, “As a teacher, I noticed society was not approaching the children and explaining to them what the virus


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