Update: Gibson Honored by Crain’s New York Business, Gets Backing of Torres, Vacca in BP Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, representing the City’s 16th District, has been honored by Crain’s New York Business 2021 as a Notable Black Leader and Executive. The list spotlights Black men and women who have affected the city with professional, communal and philanthropic achievements, particularly in matters of diversity and inclusion. Gibson congratulated her fellow honorees, said she was blessed to be recognized during Black History Month, and that she stood on the shoulders of the pioneers and trailblazers who started the work before her.   As reported previously by the Norwood News, Gibson is currently one of six candidates running for


Read More

City Council District 11 Race: Mino Lora Endorsed by Communications Workers Union & More

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mino Lora, an educator and executive director of the People’s Theatre Project, who is one of six candidates running for City Council in the 11th District in The Bronx, has recently been endorsed by Run for Something, CWA District 1, Jewish Vote, and NYIC Action. A special election is being held on March 23 to decide who will represent the district.   According to its website, Run for Something provides a safety net for new and exciting progressive candidates — at all stages of their journey — to help them run efficient, grassroots & voter-contact driven campaigns so that they


Read More

Update: District 11 City Council Race, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Endorses Jessica Haller

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, named for legendary gay rights pioneer, Jim Owles, a citywide activist club with a mission to secure human rights, dignity, and freedom for all people since 2004, announced on Monday, Feb. 15, their endorsement of Jessica Haller, City Council candidate in the 11th District race, for which a special election will be held on March 23.   Jim Owles Club President, Allen Roskoff, said Haller’s passion and drive to implement progressive policies around climate change, economic recovery, and affordable housing will make her a powerful voice to help the community face the many crises


Read More

Update: Rev. Ian Harris Runs for State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda’s seat in the 32nd Senatorial District in the Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Monday, Feb. 15, Rev. Ian Harris announced in a campaign video that he was looking to become the next state senator of the 32nd senatorial district, a seat currently held by State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda, who, last month, was arrested on charges of allegedly attempting to choke his estranged wife. As reported by the Norwood News, Sepúlveda was subsequently stripped of his chairmanship duties at the State senate in the wake of the media storm that followed, with many elected officials calling on him to resign.   According to his press release, Harris is a community activist who has


Read More

Wells Fargo Provides $5 million to Local CDFIs to Help Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Wells Fargo announced on Friday, Feb. 12, that six New York-based community development financial institutions (CDFIs) have received a combined $5 million from the bank’s “Open for Business Fund” (OFB) to help local small businesses impacted by the economic struggles caused by COVID-19.   Wells Fargo representatives said the bank selected Accompany Capital ($500,000), Greater Jamaica Development Corporation ($500,000), Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund ($400,000), NDC Community Impact Loan Fund ($1 million), Pursuit Community Finance ($1 million) and Renaissance Economic Development Corporation ($1.6 million) as part of a nationwide small business recovery effort.   Representatives said the new Wells Fargo grants to


Read More

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


Read More

Update: Firefighters, EMT, Paramedics, Retail Workers Endorse Eric Dinowitz in District 11 Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Eric Dinowitz, teacher and Democratic male district leader for the 81st Assembly District, who is running for City Council in the 11th City Council District, was endorsed, on Feb. 3, by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).   Stuart Appelbaum, president of the RWDSU, described Dinowitz as a proud union member and dedicated teacher who would be a strong voice for unions and workers in the City Council. “He has a record of standing with RWDSU members in his district and with workers throughout the city,” he said. “We know we can rely on Eric to stand up


Read More

Update: New York League of Conservation Voters Endorse Jessica Haller in District 11 Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) announced on Friday, Feb. 12, their endorsement of Jessica Haller, City Council candidate in the 11th District race, for which a special election will be held on March 23.   Julie Tighe, president of NYLCV said Haller has spent decades as a dedicated climate activist. “She is committed to prioritizing environmental justice, growing renewable energy, and improving resiliency in our communities – some of our top priorities,” said Tighe. “That’s why we are proud to endorse her in her special election and urge voters in District 11 to join us in casting their ballot for


Read More

Update: District 15 City Council Race: Ischia Bravo Receives Endorsement of Several Labor Unions

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  District manager for Bronx Community District 7 (CB7) and Democratic candidate in the 15th City Council District race, Ischia Bravo, has secured the support of several major labor unions with just weeks before the special election is due to be held on March 23. Bravo is running to fill the seat of former Councilman and now Congressman, Ritchie Torres, who was elected to Congress in November 2020.   Bravo has secured the support of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United, SEIU;


Read More