FREE www.caribbeanlifenews.com QUEENS/BRONX/MANHATTAN EDITION April 10-16, 2015 Human trafficking bills now PREZ OBAMA law By Nelson A. King A series of bills co-spon- sored by newly-elected State Assemblywoman Latrice VISITS JAMAICA Walker that would help prevent human trafficking, strengthen protections for Secret Service victims and increase pen- alties on traffickers have become law. locks down “Human trafficking is a despicable crime in which Kingston victims are exploited by vile predators,” said Walker, who represents the 55th Assem- By Bert Wilkinson bly District in Brownsville, The U.S. Secret Service and Brooklyn. Jamaican security officials “Innocent people — most- locked down large sections of ly women and helpless chil- commercial Kingston, the cap- dren — are taken advantage ital, from Wednesday evening of, exploited and forced into ahead of Thursday’s one-day heartbreaking situations,” visit of American President she added. “The Assembly’s Barack Obama and his third legislation will provide bet- summit meeting with Carib- ter support to victims on bean trade group leaders since the path to recovery, help to his Trinidad visit in April 2009. end the cycle of victimiza- Obama is swinging through tion and strengthen penal- the island of almost three mil- ties on human traffickers lion people a day before he to make sure they are held flies to Panama for the biennial accountable.” Summit of Americas confer- A key bill included in the ence that will most likely be anti-human trafficking legis- dominated by the formal re- lative package would require entry of ex pariah nation, Cuba, the state Office of Tempo- and a possible bilateral and his- rary and Disability Assist- toric meeting between Obama ance to make safe, accessible and President Raul Castro. housing available to victims President Barack Obama speaks during his visit to Howard University in Washington, Tues- His will be the second visit (A.2953). day, April 7, 2015. He visits Jamaica before fl ying off to Panama for the Summit of Ameri- to Jamaica by an incumbent Continued on Page 6 cas. Associated Press / Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File Continued on Page 6 #1O`WPPSO\/[S`WQO\6SOZbVQO`S/eO`Ra 2]g]cY\]ea][S]\S eV]aV]cZRPS`SQ]U\WhSR- AcP[Wbg]c`\][W\ObW]\Ob1O`WPPSO\:WTS<SeaQ][\][W\ObS ]`¿ZZ]cbbVS\][W\ObW]\T]`[W\aWRSbVWaeSSY¸a^O^S` GoFor To More Our Blog Information To See Our Weekly Visit Specials!Us At VistVisit Our Our New www.bronxdentistny.comNEW Web-ite: Web-Site: www.reliablebronxdentist.com www.reliablebronxdentist.com GOT IMPLANTS DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT COME SEE US (718) 547-5280 2 Caribbean Life, April 10-16, 2015 Q Brooklyn Boro prez recognizes great women in Brooklyn By Tequila Minsky “This house is your house,” is the continuing mantra of Brooklyn Bor- ough President Eric Adams. His celebra- Danny Glover responds to a ques- tion recognizing women in Brooklyn, tion from the audience. wrapped up Women’s History Month, Photo by Marcia E. Wilson clearly supporting this theme. The three-part event started in the community room on the first floor Tribute to where 28 local women-owned enter- prises–products, services or organiza- tions–participated in an expo. Danny Glover The women entrepreneurs displayed items, gave samples or spoke about their business. Businesses ranged from travel and legal services, to book and at writers general stores, event planning and bal- loons, to the production of beauty and health oriented goods. conference The founders of a young women’s empowerment organization as well as By Amun an organization of moms against gun Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (fi fth from left) with some of the The Center for Black Literature, violence provided information about women recognized for their contribution to the community at the Women’s National Black Writers Conference their work. History Month celebration at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Photo by Tequila Minsky (NBWC) at Medger Evers College, Visitors munched on popcorn, ate under the direction of Dr. Brenda M. samples of mini-cupcakes, or adventur- work. Not without joy and even ecstasy, the contributions you made.” And con- Greene held its Biennial Symposium: ously sipped health smoothies. but still relentless, unending work.” tinuing she said, “I wish you long lives Voices of Liberation and Resistance At 6:00 p.m. the program began with She spoke about how her parents ever with ecstasy through the unending and a Tribute to Danny Glover on Sat- the introduction of keynote speaker always encouraged her to believe that work.” urday, March 28. The event was well Ricky Klieman, American criminal there were no limits to what she could Kleinman posed for a group photo attended and held in Medger Evers defense lawyer, legal television person- achieve. with the awardees before dashing off for Founders Auditorium. ality, and wife of Police Commissioner “I had to be fierce,” she shared, on the another event. Then the award recipi- After a welcome by Kierna Mayo, Bill Bratton. effort in creating a career that wasn’t a ents– community volunteers, program VP, Digital Content, Ebony.com, stu- Keliman is a contributing legal ana- typical trajectory for young women of directors, and others making significant dent Christian Ademola Lewis, Dr. lyst for CBS Morning Show and the her generation –law school. contributions to the community from Augustine Okereke, provost, Medger author of “Fairy Tales Can Come True She spoke to the younger generation the many Brooklyn neighborhoods– Evers College, and Dr. Brenda M. – How a Driven Woman Changed Her in the audience, “Go forth with energy received citations. Greene, NBWC director, executive Destiny.” and courage but without having to be so Borough President Adams recog- director, Center for Black Literature. “I wanted my book to be an inspira- fierce (as the way has been paved a bit). nized Guyanese heritage Joylyn Hodge Before the speeches and panels got tion to women,” she said. She closed, “A life of significance is and her work as service coordinator at underway, the audience was treat- She shared her favorite quote from what’s s important. People will remem- BHAP Housing; Rev. Ann Kansfield, 1st ed to a performance by the dance Maya Angelo, “Being a woman is hard ber you by the services you provide and Continued on Page 34 company, Something Positive, which was a dance company in residence at Medger Evers College when the company’s founder and director, now deceased was part of the faculty. Dr. Haki Madhubuti, publisher, Mayor de Blasio extends rent stabilization law Third World Press introduced Danny Glover who gave the keynote address, By Nelson A. King shortage. continued. “It’s my hope that with this but before Glover delivered the key- Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed into “The recently published Housing legislation passed, our state legislators note address he was presented with law a bill extending the rent stabiliza- Vacancy Survey revealed that New York hear the Council’s recommendations Proclamations from the United States tion laws in New York City until April City’s vacancy rate is at 3.45 percent. loud and clear, and will further develop Congress by Representative Yvette 1, 2018. Combine that with steadily increasing a plan that not only complements the Clarke, and one from the New York The bill was sponsored by Council rents and widespread income stagna- Mayor’s Housing Plan but gives imme- City Council by Council Members Member Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan); tion, it’s clear that our city is currently diate relief to our poor and working Inez Barron and Laurie Cumbo. Glov- Council Member Jumaane D. Williams in a housing crisis,” said Williams, who class citizens who need it most.” er was also given an award from (D-Brooklyn), Deputy Leader and Chair represents the 45th Council District in The mayor said rent regulations are Medger Evers College, presented by of the Council’s Housing and Buildings Brooklyn. “vital to protecting New Yorkers from Dr. Brenda M. Greene, all for his dis- Committee; Council Member Helen “In order to ensure thousands of displacement and keeping our commu- tinguished career as a major motion Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), and others. New Yorkers do not see their rent go nities whole. picture actor, humanitarian and The bill was unanimously passed by up or their protection against arbitrary “Renewing and strengthening rent activist. the New York City Council on March evictions lost, we must enact stronger rules is a top priority for us in Albany In Glover’s address he spoke about 11, with a package of legislation to tenant protections, which is exactly this session, and we will fight alongside the importance of making moral renew and strengthen New York City’s what our package of legislation does,” our partners in the City Council and choices and conscious philanthropy rent laws. he added. our delegation in the State Legislature that support good for the community Under State law, the rent control sys- “Strengthening rent laws is the to ensure we have the tools we need at large, as well as support for insti- tem will expire in June 2015 unless the only option I consider a win in Albany, to preserve more than a million rent tution and projects that have positive City conducts a housing vacancy survey because simply renewing them would stabilized apartments,” he said. “I want Continued on Page 22 and finds that there is still a housing be a major loss for all tenants,” Williams Continued on Page 22 BQ Caribbean Life, April 10-16, 2015 3 Updated daily at www.caribbeanlifenews.com CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP THE NEWS FROM BACK HOME Antigua The Antigua and Barbuda govern- ment says it will resist efforts to shift the base of the financially-strapped regional airline LIAT, to CARICOM neighbor Barbados.