First A.M.E Church: Bethel 12th Annual Back To School Celebration & 132nd Street Praise Party

By Ryan Ngala

[Harlem, New York] It was a beautiful day at First A.M.E Church – Bethel. It was the morning for the back to school service, the twelfth year of the event that brings together young children and their parents around the first school day in the month of September and provides each child with a new fully-loaded backpack.

Many parents, along with their children, had gotten up early in the morning to stand in line outside the church for the back-to-school celebration. While they were waiting, many First Bethel staff members had brought out program registration cards and pens for the parents so that they could register their children and write the grade level and other information on the forms. Meanwhile the clock was still ticking and the line still moving; it was almost time to start the service and all parents and their children were about to enter the sanctuary.

As they got inside the church, many people filled in the rows of each pew in the sanctuary. When the service began, first up was the First Bethel Praise Ensemble singing “And We Are Glad” by Joe Pace. This song lifted everyone to their feet; all members of the congregation were moving their bodies as they sang worship songs to the Lord. Next there was an opening prayer and welcoming words by Toni Santos and LeShawn Bridgewater, respectively; Alex and Nia Moore read scriptures from Romans, chapter 8, verses 16-18:

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.”

And from Psalm, chapter 55, verses 22-23:

“Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you.

He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

23 But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction.

Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days,

but I will trust in you.”

The choir then sang another song and there was also a praise-through-dance performance by Omar Ingram. After the performance, Pastor Henry A. Belin III delivered the inspirational message to the many students starting back to school in a brand new year. Pastor Belin’s words gave the youth strength to make it possible for them to work hard, study hard, make new friends, make good grades, and pray to God for the ability to learn and succeed in life.  Next, the congregation and the Ensemble sang “Hallelujah”, everyone started to rejoice and enjoy a good time. In his closing remarks and benediction, Pastor Belin urged the church to work to end violence in Harlem and take back their neighborhood.  Following the service, it was then time now to distribute backpacks to all age groups; Pre-Kindergarten - 1^st grade, 2^nd - 5^th grade, 6^th - 8^th grade and 9^th - 12^th grade. Students in each row went up and got a backpack and then exited from the church.

Finally the praise party began. Refreshments were served including hamburgers, hot dogs, corn and watermelon; the DJ was playing music so that everyone could listen to the sounds and dance to the rhythms. There were awesome rides for the kids to play on, and of course there were icies, cotton candy, and popcorn. The youth also turned on the sprinklers at the fire hydrants. Some of them rode on a trackless train. Clearly, everyone had a really fun time.

New Pressure on Zuckerberg After Stock Sinks To Record Low

By Ryan Ngala

  

Facebook stock prices have fallen steadily since the company’s much anticipated public debut three months ago. Now some are asking whether Mark Zuckerberg is the best person to lead the company. Last week, Facebook hit a new trading low, and now some are wondering if founder Mr. Zuckerberg is in over his hoodie and if it’s time for him to step aside as CEO.

Facebook made few friends on Wall Street last week, Friday, when its stock price fell below twenty dollars for the second day in a row. This was the latest blow in what some are calling one of the most disastrous initial public offerings in a decade, “Just ninety days since the IPO in May, the stock has fallen by half its value. So the drop has not just been dramatic in terms of size it’s been so rapid”, said Sam Hamadeh, CEO of Privco.

  

Facebook, the social media giant boasts approximately nine hundred million users worldwide, when news broke of the impending IPO, there was much anticipation globally. “So let’s do this” said Mark Zuckerberg, when the company went public on Friday May 18^th. Many investors have clamored for Facebook shares, including many private investors like San Diego sandwich shop owner, Herman Hitachi, “I got two hundred and fifty shares at forty dollars” he said. Now Hitachi patiently waits for better days, “We will go through up’s and downs, no question about it” he added.

  

A recent NBC Today Show podcast revealed that the Facebook trading deal might be problematic “The Facebook IPO was plagued with problems from the very beginning. Technical glitches delayed the opening and led to trading confusion. Investor’s lawsuit follow and the stock price started falling from an opening high of $38.23 to Friday’s low of $19.05, now some wonder if it’s time for founder Mark Zuckerberg to step aside as ceo, questioning his readiness for the job. The 28 year old upset many on Wall Street by showing up to his first investor meeting this spring wearing sneakers and a hoodie.”

  

Brent Wilsey of Wilsey Asset Management stated, “His company; he’s not doing the right things to have this company make money. What I would tell Mark Zuckerberg is: ‘You’re a smart guy, you’ve created this great product called Facebook, but now the game has changed.” The other significant development at Facebook recently is that a group of Facebook investors has filed a class action suit against the company and the investors that underwrote the initial public offering.

News of the lawsuit has led some to ask the question, “Is Morgan Stanley really to blame for the Facebook IPO scam?” Morgan Stanley, along with other leading banks, underwrote the Facebook IPO. The plaintiffs alleged that Morgan Stanley hid vital information from the public that would have reveal that the stock was overpriced. Sources cited in an online article on the Gawker’s webpage described the anger of some facebook investors. “They're pissed over reports that Facebook hid worrying financial numbers from the public before the IPO, while working with banks to tip off preferred investors.”

HCZ 18th Annual Peace March 2012

Reported, Typed & Written By Mr. Ryan Ngala 
Edited By Mr. Rico Speight

[Harlem, New York] – With the overall students and staff members in this community based program at the Harlem Children’s Zone, they were ready to prepare themselves in this movement event that can stop the end of violence not only in the streets of New York but also in our homes, but at this event could end the violence of many loved ones whose lives have been lost forever and hopefully that it’s send a message to many New Yorkers that violence must be stop once and for all.

It was a gorgeous sunny day, as me and the CSO (College Success Office) group had left the building at 3:45, to wait for further instructions as we headed out and off we went to go to 134^th Street the CSO group was walking their way there throughout park avenue, Madison avenue, and 5^th Avenue at 135^th street as soon as they got to their destination on 134^th Street and 7^th Avenue between the site building of HCZ’s Truancy Prevention and Project Class and Learn to Earn program site. 

We was the last group on the line behind Learn to Earn, ETC (Employment and Technology Center) and many other HCZ site group who were above us, when the peace march rally had started to begin some young teens were on the sidewalk so I thought that this was not what the CSO group had in mind, they were supposed to be marching in the street, but not on the sidewalk so they wanted to start all over as they have them to do it all over again, so when the march rally was about to start, we started to walk.

“Let’s go, CSO!!!” said Ms. Kimi Kang, I was from behind many students so that I know where I was going and I won’t get lost, as we walk to the scene as we turn to on 134^th Street and 7^th Avenue at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and as they walk to 136^th Street they begin to chant with their big high voice as they possible could as they started to said “Were gonna shout it out, Peace is what it’s all about”, “We are the future, Don’t you agree?, Stop the violence on kids like me!!!”, “Money for Schools, not for jails.”, and “Marching through the zone to save our own!”.

They started to chant all the way as they were headed to the Harlem Armory as banners, and posters were being held up high and once they were waiting to be letting students inside of the armory, they must have their peace march t-shirt on or otherwise they can’t come in without having it to come off, so as they went inside the armory and up the steps they go as they climb through the stairs from the first floor waiting for many HCZ students and staff to get pass by until they were able to find a seat, as I spotted my site group from CSO and also Tina who put water bottles in a pack of ice so that it can stay cool, the ceremony was about to begin in 5 minutes and as everyone were about to sit down, the ceremony was about to begin. 

In the auditorium, when people saw their program logos coming up on a big projector screen, they shouted out the name of their own site group among the different HCZ programs such as ETC (Employment & Technology Center), CSO (College Success Office), Countee Cullen Community Center, Truce Media, Truce Fitness, Learn To Earn, and many more. 


The shouting continued as audience members started to shout out the names of different HCZ programs represented by individuals who were starting to perform on the big stage.  Booker T. Washington reps were doing the salsa on stage and many flags were being waived by the staff members of Booker T., After their performance, the audience gave them a big round of applause. Some HCZ participants were busy taking great pictures including Will Weeks and me. The event was a great show with some great performers representing Learn to Earn, Truce Media, ETC (Employment & Technology Center) and many others. 

But what really did struck me was a performance by the group from Countee Cullen: they performed a cover song to Eminem's "I'm Not Afraid." Their message was about decreasing violence and promoting world peace in this community; they mourned the victims who have lost their lives because of gun violence. Another impressive performance was by the group from the Learn to Earn site program; they did a cover up to a song of Meek Mill's "Amen", adding their own version of the lyrics that told of the violence that is going today. They also mentioned of the HCZ programs in their lyrics. 

When the performances were completed, the winners among the students of each HCZ programs were announced. These were students who had participated in a 3 day event of the HCZ summer games. The winners were Promise Academy 1 and 2, Peacemakers North and South, Countee Cullen Community Center, A Cut Above and Booker T. Washington. Next it was the time for a moment of silence for the fallen victims who have lost their lives in the violence era; they are gone but not forgotten. 


Finally, HCZ President and CEO Geoffrey Canada spoke on behalf of the fallen victims including young ones like Scotty Scott and many others. HCZ staff members held up their candles high up in their hands for the victims who have been lost to violence. They are sorely missed; Many students at the rally wrote on a piece of paper the names of the fallen victims they missed the most.  When the HCZ peace march event was all over, every HCZ site group saw the names of each two fallen victims projected on the big screen.

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STN Politics: The Day After Election For Congress

From Left-to-right: Joyce S. Johnson, Craig Schley, Charles B. Rangel, Clyde Williams and Adriano Espaillat.


By Ryan Ngala


[Harlem, New York]


Tuesday was the biggest election of the summer season, and the candidates who ran for congress were just getting warmed up. For many people getting their chance to vote and letting their voices be heard as they endeavored to pick the strongest candidates for congress, Tuesday’s primary was their opportunity to get things right for this important community in the heart of New York City.


As the polls opened for election from 6 am - 9 pm, many voters scrambled from schools and office buildings to vote in the neighborhoods where they live. For many residents, exercising their right to vote indicates their courage and willingness to do what is necessary and best for their community during these tough economic times. But what do they really want for the congressional candidates to do in order to fix things for the community? Usually, this community never expects to get this kind of media attention early in the week.


This was my first time voting in an election, ever!, I was among the first voters to arrive at my polling place at Ps. 175 located at 175 W. 134th Street; that location is just two stops from where I live on 132nd Street. As I entered into the building, I walked all the way to the back where they were doing the voting. As I stepped into the gymnasium, one of the poll workers at the front desk asked me for my address and I told her what it was. Then she pointed to the 25th District table where I was to stand in line and wait while many other people received their green and white ballot papers. 


The names of the five candidates were listed: Joyce S. Johnson, Craig Schley, Charles B. Rangel, Clyde Williams and Adriano Espaillat. Each voter then decided which candidate they wanted to vote for; they inserted the green and white ballot paper slip into the ballot scanner; as they inserted the ballot, the machine it read, “Thanks for voting.”


I walked out of the polling place and through the school building, I then walked across 125th Street and Lenox Avenue. I just wanted to see what was going on at Sylvia’s Restaurant; many news media had come there to cover the election story. News crews from NY1, CBS 2, and ABC 7 were amongst those gathered at Sylvia’s. Congressman Charles B. Rangel was expected to arrive soon; when he did, he was greeted by all of his supporters. They were happy for the opportunity to express their love and gratitude to him. He had promoted uplift and change, not only for Harlem, but also for the Bronx, and many people love Congressman Charles B. Rangel and call him “Charlie” as a nickname.


The number of votes that had been counted by then was just over 8,000, but soon the count was boosted high to more than 12,800 votes. The people were surprised at the miraculous results! It was a stunning victory that made him the projected winner of the 13th district. “Charlie, we love you!!!” a supporter shouted. At that point, Congressman Charles B. Rangel was being named “The Lion of Lenox Avenue!” His self – determination not only as a champion but also as a warrior has once again made him the trusted leader to the Harlem community.

10,000 people march to end racial profiling in a movement event

By Ryan Ngala

[New York] 

The people were on the streets of 110^th street and 5^th avenue to stop the massive police abuse of people of color and to end the city’s “Stop and Frisk” policy. It was a broad based movement with the support of the NAACP, Communities United for Police Reform and many other community leaders; they all marched to end needless loss the innocent lives of many people who are being victimized by the “Stop and Frisk” practice.  Their goal was, once and for all, to show their unity and support and to try to make a difference in the New York neighborhood.

The “End Stop and Frisk March” kicks off with many people holding their posters, banners, and signs high.  Some of the slogans that could be read were:“NYPD: Hands Off The Homeless!”, “NYPD: Hands Off Our Dads!”, “NYPD Keep Your Hands Off Me.”, There were also many others including the posters from the NAACP that read “Stop Racial Profiling End Stop & Frisk” at the front side of the banner, and in the back, the poster showed three well known faces of people who have been stopped and frisked by the NYPD police: their names were Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell and Amadou Diallo. 

As the protesters kept on walking, many had refreshments and bottled water just to cool themselves from the summer heat, It was a silent march, and as they started to walk on 5^th Avenue, there was reverence among the marchers.  So they started walking downtown and there was some talking going on here and there as they began to enjoy a wonderful time being out there for a good cause.

The march route covered 31 blocks; once and a while, the marchers stopped because of traffic ahead, but otherwise they continued to their destination. 

During that time they kept walking until they arrived at the block of 5^th Avenue and 80^th Street. At that point, some of marchers and onlookers began chanting, and they started to gather in the front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but some of the marchers and protesters signal to the chanters to hush because it was a silent march.  Soon all the marchers continued on their way.

AIDS WALK NY 2012: LIVE FROM CENTRAL PARK

By Ryan Ngala

[Central Park, New York] It's a beautiful gorgeous day in central park despite how the weather it is many people from different organizations of teams came here to join the biggest & most crowded event of a lifetime.

At the starting point of the process many of people gather the line to start registering for the event and started to pick and look for their teams while many people started walking I was starting to look for the Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Inc.- New York Alumni Chapter team as I spotted and found Nina alongside with their friends who their names were Medjhy, Rhema and Cassandra they ate some almonds and drank a bottle of water we took some pictures as we headed our way to the starting line of the aids walk in central park we took plenty of walks as I started to stop for refreshments as some of the volunteers from the aids walk crew gave me two bananas, a bottle of water and a granola box.

After that Nina and her group started walking all the way down to central park and 96th street then all the way down as we continue to walk some more as we listen to One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" and many others song on the radio as we got all the way to 110th Street and 7th Avenue.

When Nina and her friends left I decided to walk up the block as many people walk I ask 3 people to answer some questions starting with Tico Santigo, Mary Hidajat & Monica Johnson since it is their first time being in the aids walk I started to begin asking.

Ryan Ngala: Why Is It Important to prevent this kind of disease from happening in our body?

Tico Santigo: To stay alive & enjoy life more

Mary Hidajat: Because it's a type of a devasting disease that impacts many lives of people

Ryan Ngala: What should we not do to have the disease from attracting other people?

Tico Santigo: Safe Sex & Be cautious of what you do

Mary Hidajat: Practice Safe Sex

Ryan Ngala: Describe 3 words in what does the aids walk event mean to you?

Tico Santingo: Unity, everybody is together for one reason

Mary Hidajat: Awareness, Inspiring & Community

Monica Johnson: Important, Inspiring & Appreciation

Many people started to walk on the 7th Avenue side on 110th Street then on Manhattan Avenue, Columbus Avenue, Broadway as soon as they get all the way to 110th Street & Riverside Drive so we started walking to stop by and got some snacks once they did that we see some people wearing Aladdin costumes so that the people started to take some pictures with them then we walk back all the way up to 85th Street at Riverside Drive then at West End Av, going to broadway, Columbus Avenue, Amsterdam Avenue as we got back to the west side at Central Park & 85th Street we walk all the way to 72nd street but we was none done yet after all that walking I still felt like I wanted to go home all the aids walk volunteers kept on cheering and supporting for us no matter how much it takes for us to get into the finish line and there was still one more mile left to go after it was all said and done many people where back at the finish line as they completed a 10 kilometer mile once they deserve a certificate for their completion of the course.

After they finish they were some refreshment for Turkey Hill ice cream of Frozen Yogurt Fudge Ripple as some of the people had all headed home for the day this was a fun day event for me I should say as I went all around through central park and completed my certificate.

The "Good Friday" Service Praises At BGA

By Ryan Ngala

[Harlem, New York] The bethel gospel assembly are getting ready as they gear up for one of the biggest gospel service held in the church where they will be allot of singing, dancing and rejoicing for the Lord for an amazing and incredible performance ever to bring by the words of life and shining light junior choir here at bethel and also with the one accord dance ministry to bring the dancing steps to their feet as they celebrate their love for Jesus.

When the service has started Elder Mark Williams deliver an opening welcome to all visitors who came to bethel gospel assembly including an prayer as the Words of life choir sings "Lord, I Love You" that goes a little something like this "Lord I Love You (3x) More Than Anything, Lord I Need You (3x) More Than Anything" and so as they started singing that they did a round clap as they sit down. 

During the ending of the song the one accord dance ministry in the Donnie McClurkin's Song "Who Would've Thought" after the performance was over the Shining Light Junior Choir sing the song of "So Was I" and the lights had brighten on the young girl who had steal the show the song she did was so amazing so as many of the plays that where being acted during the show I saw the cross as it was being portrait to show how Jesus died for our sins but what was the best part of the service was that the words of life choir sing a song called "Marvelous" that can lift up our hearts whenever Jesus is there to guide us in every struggle we all are in. 

So the service that was being held in the church was so awesome as the event was being called "At The Cross" A Celebration of the passion of calvary as it was one of the best good Friday service that the people have ever been to.