Day: September 24, 2024

Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson described himself, according to CNN reporting, as a “Black Nazi” and expressed support for slavery in posts on a porn forum. Robinson, who denies the allegations, has lost almost all of his campaign staff. Donald Trump hasn’t revoked his endorsement even as other key groups withdraw funding and support. Will the scandal hurt turnout in that state, key to the presidential race? This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Susan Davis, and WUNC bureau chief Colin Campbell. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The post Will Mark Robinson’s Racism & Porn Scandal Hurt Trump In NC? first appeared on JOSSICA – The Journal of the Open Source Strategic Intelligence and Counterintelligence Analysis.

The Big Apple is shining with pride as a hefty handful of NYC schools achieved National Blue Ribbon School status this year, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) announced on Tuesday.

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools in NYC include 14 NYC Department of Education elementary, middle and high schools — including two charter schools and two private schools.

“It is an incredible honor to have 12 of our public schools recognized with the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award,” NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks said. “This is truly a testament to the hard work, dedication, and excellence of the students, educators, and communities in each of these schools. The 2024 Blue Ribbon schools are raising the bar not just in our city, but across our country and serve as powerful examples of how high-quality teaching, collaboration, and strong school communities can truly transform our students’ lives.” 

A Blue Ribbon award raises a school’s prestige. The award flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning, according to the USDOE.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is celebrating its first school to receive the prestigious award: A. Fantis School of Saints Constantine & Helen Cathedral in Brooklyn. 

“We are incredibly proud to be the first Greek Orthodox parochial school to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Father Evagoras Constantinides, director of special events for the Archdiocese, said.

Constantinides, who is also a priest at the school, said the achievement is due to the “hard work” of staff, teachers, and volunteers.  

“This honor is a testament to the dedication and vision of our Church and School Boards, who have consistently thought both critically and creatively to ensure our school thrives in the face of any challenge,” he said. “It is thanks to the hard work of these committed volunteers, alongside our outstanding administrative team and world-class teachers, that A. Fantis is more than just a neighborhood gem—it’s a shining example of one of Brooklyn’s premier schools.”

Sister Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D., superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of New York, praised Saint Ignatius Loyola School in Manhattan for being recognized. 

“Our schools not only prepare young people for academic success but also shape them to be tomorrow’s servant leaders,” she said. “This award reflects the commitment of our Catholic mission instilled into our educators and the overall care we provide to the young people entrusted to us.”

Since 1982, the Blue Ribbon program has honored schools throughout the country that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.  

The federal education department recognizes schools based on student performance data that includes assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. 

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.” 

These are the recognized NYC Blue Ribbon Schools in 2024

Manhattan

• Saint Ignatius Loyola School, Archdiocese of New York; 48 East 84th St., Upper East Side
• M.S. 255 Salk School of Science; 320 East 20th St., Gramercy Park
• New York City Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies; 333 West 17th St., Chelsea
• P.S. 124 Yung Wing School; 40 Division St., Chinatown
• P.S. 150; 28-42 Trinity Place, Tribeca
• P.S. 166 The Richard Rodgers School of Arts and Technology,132 West 89th St., Upper West Side 
• P.S. 184 Shuang Wen School; 327 Cherry St., Lower East Side
• P.S. 77 Lower Lab School; 1700 3rd Ave.; Upper East Side

Bronx

• Fordham High School for the Arts; 500 E. Fordham Rd., Fordham Heights
• Icahn Charter School 4; 1500 Pelham Pkwy S., Morris Park
• Icahn Charter School 6; 1701 Fulton Ave., Claremont

Brooklyn

• A. Fantis School of Saints Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; 195 State St., Brooklyn Heights
• Brooklyn School of Inquiry; 50 Avenue P, Bensonhurst

Queens

• P.S. 130 Elementary School; 200-01 42nd Ave., Auburndale
• Louis Pasteur Middle School 67; 51-60 Marathon Pkwy., Douglaston

Staten Island

• P.S. 35 The Clove Valley School; 60 Foote Ave., Grymes Hill

For more information about NYC Blue Ribbon Schools visit ed.gov.

The post High honors: These 16 NYC public and private schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024 first appeared on The Ocean Avenue News.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, the Power Women of Brooklyn event at El Caribe marked a significant milestone in recognizing 30 years of celebrating the borough’s most influential women. The event, hosted by Schneps Media, publishers of local titles including Brooklyn Paper, Bay Ridge Courier and amNewYork Metro, brought together leaders from across industries for an evening of networking, celebration and community-building.

The night kicked off with a VIP Power Hour, where honorees mingled and connected before a high-energy cocktail hour filled with networking opportunities. The evening culminated in a lively awards ceremony recognizing the incredible contributions of women who have made strides in business, healthcare, technology and beyond.

Zhané Caldwell of PIX 11 News served as the Master of Ceremonies for the night, guiding the event through its various moments of inspiration and recognition. Honorees, sponsors and guests alike contributed to a vibrant atmosphere, where the theme of women supporting women was front and center.

“This event gives us an opportunity to shine a light on a diverse group of women all over the borough doing so much for their local neighborhood in many different fields,” said Josh Schneps, CEO of Schneps Media, adding that he hopes that awardees benefited from the networking portion of the evening.

Debbie Roman, managing director at Per Scholas, shared her excitement at being recognized alongside her peers.

“It’s an indescribable feeling. This event gives us an opportunity to celebrate and highlights the sense of community where women support women,” Roman said.

A Puerto Rican-born professional who has lived in New York since 2006, Roman emphasized how the event created opportunities for women, particularly in technology, to connect and uplift one another.

“[Power Women] brings bridges to other women and organizations that have the same mission,” she said.

Awardee Christine Colvert of Shuman & Hill also expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am very honored and happy to be one of the honorees among these amazing women who have accomplished very much in their career,” she said. “I get the opportunity to meet other women who have been working hard and still excelling in their careers to do good. I also get to network with other individuals.”

For Reverend Kim Council, deputy borough president of Brooklyn, the evening symbolized something larger.

“Today is wonderful! I feel like 2024 is definitely the year of women,” Council said, calling her award an “honor.”

“It motivates me to do more for the community and for the borough of Brooklyn. It’s an opportunity to meet people who are doing fantastic things,” she added. “[Events like these are] important because women are often underappreciated. When you think about all the things we’ve had to fight for, it was only a little over 100 years ago that women were allowed to vote. It’s important to remind women how valuable they are.”

Awardee Kassandra Perez, Head of Government Affairs, NY/NJ & PR, DoorDash, brought a personal touch to the evening.

“We don’t often get the opportunity to come together, recognize each other, and see all the faces behind the incredible work being done across industries. So, I’m really excited to be a part of that,” she said. “One of the things I’m proud of in my career is serving as a board member of New Majority NYC, an organization that helps get women elected to office in the city — especially women of color, but women across the board. I’m particularly proud of this as a mother of two young daughters who will be here tonight to hear these inspiring stories.

Randy Peers, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the transformative power of women in Brooklyn.

“Brooklyn is one of the most dynamic places on Earth, and it’s our amazing women leaders who have helped transform it into the powerful place it is today,” he said. “We have women from healthcare, non-profits, small businesses, journalism and news media, elected officials — across all sectors. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the diversity and talent of women not only in Brooklyn but around the world.”

The evening’s raffle proceeds were donated to The Sato Project, an organization dedicated to rescuing abused and abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico, further emphasizing the event’s mission of giving back and fostering community connections.

This year’s sponsors included One Brooklyn Health, Episcopal Health Services, Community Health Center of Richmond, Inc., NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, Event Strategies for Success, Ponce Bank, BSE Global, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Faith Deliverance Pentecostal COG, CABS Health Network, The Sato Project, Best Realty Professionals and Miss Jessie’s.

This year’s awardees were:

• Amber Adler, Award-Winning Activist & Best-Selling Author
• Ty’East Alleyne-Bobb, Chief Executive Officer, Typostrophe 360 LLC
• Chrissy Beckles, Founder & President, The Sato Project
• Katia Belony, Licensed Real Estate Broker, Best Realty Professionals
• Monique Brizz-Walker, Principal & Fundraiser, Event Strategies for Success
• Leonora Bulychova, President, Club A-Elita
• Kelly Carroll, Executive Director, Atlantic Avenue BID
• Christine Colvert, Partner, Shulman & Hill
• Angela Cooper, Assistant Director of Communications, Public Affairs & Volunteering Services, NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney
• Rev. Kimberly Council, Brooklyn Deputy Borough President
• Dr. Anika Daniels-Osaze, Ed.D., MPH, Associate Dean for Education, School of Public Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
• Hon. Maritza Davila, Assemblymember, 53rd District
• Sherly Demosthenes-Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer, CABS Health Network
• Dr. Seanna-Kaye Denham Wilks, Chief Experience Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
• Kamila Dottin, Director of Projects, Independent Drivers Guild
• Cynthia Felix-Jeffers, President, Brooklyn Sunset Park Lions Club
• Michelle Figueroa, Chief Financial Officer, One Brooklyn Health
• Rose Graham, Director of Community Affairs, Educator & Community Advocate, Community School District 17/Community Board 17
• Renee Hastick Motes, MPA, Senior Vice President & Chief External Affairs Officer, Episcopal Health Services
• Williar Hodges, Senior Director, Finance and Benefits Administration, Community Health Center of Richmond
• Laurie Jacoby, Chief Entertainment Officer, BSE Global
• Anastasia Koshik, Director of Marketing & Communications, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
• Myrdith Leon-McCormack, Founder, World Bride Magazine & MLM Represents
• Francisca Leopold, Chair, Kings County Hospital Community Advisory Board
• Chaplain Dr. Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin, Chief Advisor, Office of the Mayor
• Elizabeth Lovejoy, Executive Director, Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID
• Taina Martinez-Laing, MSW, NYCPS, Chief Executive Officer, Baltic Street Wellness Solutions
• Kamla Millwood, Founder/CEO & President, Palatial Publishing LLC
• Shannon O’Rourke, Director of Radiology, Optum
• Leslieann Peers-Roman, Rising Star Award
• Kassandra Perez-Desir, Head of Government Relations NY/NJ & Puerto Rico, DoorDash
• Jeanine Ramirez, Founder, Jeanine Ramirez Media Consulting
• Patricia Riggio-Strong, First Vice President, Director of CRA and Fair Lending, Dime Community Bank
• Dr. Gracie-Ann Roberts, Chief Quality Officer, Community Health Center of Richmond
• Debbie Roman, Managing Director, New York, Per Scholas
• Gloria Sandiford, Broker, Co-Owner & Vice President, Flateau Realty Corp
• Dr. Sandra Scott, Chief Executive Officer, One Brooklyn Health
• Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie, Chief Operating Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
• Emerald Snipes-Garner, Founder & Executive Director, We Can’t Breathe Inc
• Rev. Dr. Neithe Soleyn, Founder & Senior Pastor, Faith Deliverance Pentecostal Church of God
• Hon. Phara Souffrant Forrest, Assemblywoman, 57th District
• Sara Steinweiss, Founder, Conflict Resolution Systems, LLC
• Natalia Travilina, Founder, TraNa Relief Association
• Dr. Monique T. Welbeck, Chief Nursing Officer, Community Health Center of Richmond
• Dimple Willabus, President & CEO, Rhythm Nation Entertainment
• Barbara Williams, Citywide Director of Outreach, NYC Civic Engagement Commission
• Hon. Jaime R. Williams, Assemblymember, 59th District
• Lakeasha Williams, Founder & Entrepreneur, Brickhouse Unlimited Inc.

To learn more about the 2024 Power Women of Brooklyn, visit PowerWomemBklyn.com.

Additional reporting by Ramy Mahmoud

THE NY STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION is providing several ways for members of the public to take part in the hearings scheduled.

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