Thursday, August 14, 2025

Hands-on History

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Hands-on History

Check back soon for our next fun craft!

Put On Some Lipstick: A Movement of Confidence, Strength, and Sisterhood

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Ava Smith Launches
Put On Some Lipstick: A Movement of
Confidence, Strength, and Sisterhood

New York, NY — Put On Some Lipstick isn’t just a brand — it’s a movement. Founded by Ava, this empowering lifestyle brand is rooted in the belief that beauty can be simple, confidence is a choice, and healing starts with showing up for yourself.

“I’m so proud of this creation,” Ava says, a native of Southeast Queens. “Put On Some Lipstick is more than a name — it’s a vibe, an experience, and something worth sharing. Period.”

From bold lip colors to statement tees, every product under the Put On Some Lipstick name is designed to uplift women who are fighting silent battles — be it heartbreak, trauma, anxiety, illness, or the everyday weight of showing up.

The brand serves as a daily reminder that women are still powerful, still beautiful, and still worthy — no matter what they’re walking through.

Get The Scoop On The CASONY Back To School Giveaway & POP UP Shop August 23rd

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Community

Back To School Giveaway &
POP UP Shop By CASONY

(Caribbean American Society
Of New York)

UniverSoul Circus

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UniverSoul Circus

They’re back! The UniverSoul Circus is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music. Our show is fresh, funky, bold, fun and challenges your imagination like no other circus.

Guarded and Mixed Emotions about Zohran Mamdani's Primary Win For NYC Mayor

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New Yorkers Need A Change But
Is Zohram Mamdani The Answer?

By Kamau Austin, Co-publisher of the Southeast Queens Scoop

As a longtime community activist and advocate for Black economic development, I can't say I'm excited about Zohran Mamdani’s recent primary win for New York City Mayor. Black people are often treated as political pawns—used and discarded by both the left and the right like collateral damage.

And I say this as someone who identifies as an independent, though I’ve often voted Democrat. So-called Democratic Socialists like Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani focus heavily on workers' issues. But critical Black concerns—like reparations, lack of business capital, limited access to government contracts, police brutality, banking exploitation, and redlining—are usually treated as side issues, if acknowledged at all.

To complicate my mayoral decision It's disheartening to see yet another Black mayor—Eric Adams—come under constant legal and media attack, only to be turned on by segments of the Black community. Some of the same people criticizing Adams are willing to overlook similar flaws in leaders like Andrew Cuomo. It’s a double standard.

Let’s not forget that Eric Adams earned the support of many Black New Yorkers because of his history fighting police brutality, even from within the NYPD. Unfortunately, some younger activists seem unaware of his and others' historic efforts to address gang violence and crime in our communities.

Get The Scoop On Exciting Southeast Queens and Jamaica NY Events The Weekend of 8-8-2025

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Checkout These Exciting
Southeast Queens and Jamaica NY
Events The Weekend of 8-8-2025

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Get The Scoop About Why Healing Wounds Is So Important in Our Black and Local Communities

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Why Healing Wounds Is So
Important in Our
Black and Local Communities

By Shanika Small, RN

The truth about the prevalence and cost of wounds in our communities. I have been a Home Health Nurse and have performed wound care for 10 years.

Wounds are a silent epidemic that adversely affects patients’ quality of life. The elderly and people with Type 2 Diabetes are at increased risk.

The stats are sobering:

●Diabetic wound complications cost more than 5 of the most deadly cancers.

●The estimated expenditures by Medicare for acute and chronic wound care is between 28-97 Billion!

●70% of people that get amputations from foot wounds die within 5 years.

●In some parts of the country, African Americans are 8 times more likely to get amputations than other racial groups.

Wounds are an epidemic and the health burden of wounds are only projected to get worse. What can we do? Below are some tips on how to lower your risk and bad outcomes with wounds...

Get The Scoop On Latin Beats Dance Fitness

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Latin Beats Dance Fitness

You are invited to a Latin fitness party! Come and move your body to this fun dance cardio workout for beginner movers while enjoying your favorite Latin beats. Class takes place on the handball courts.

Get The Scoop On How to Read Nutrition Labels: A Simple Guide for Families By Afi S. Okon, MPA

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How to Read
Nutrition Labels:
A Simple Guide for Families

By Afi S. Okon, MPA, Founder American Obesity Foundation

Want to eat healthier but confused by nutrition facts? Knowing how to read nutrition labels can help you and your family make smarter food choices – especially if you are trying to eat healthier, manage weight, or reduce sugar and salt. This easy guide breaks down how to read nutrition labels in minutes—even for busy parents or beginners!

📌 Why Learn to Read Nutrition Labels?

Understanding what's really in your food can:

Lead you to cut back on sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and additives
Make grocery shopping faster and smarter
Manage or prevent chronic diseases - support healthy weight, heart health, and energy
Control portion sizes
Help you stay informed and empowered

If you’re a parent, label reading also helps you make better choices for your kids—whether you’re packing school lunches or buying cereal.

Get The Scoop On How The Queens Jazz Trail© blazed it's way to the Rockaway Beach Community Park.

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Queens Jazz Trail Concert:

Rubén Coca Quintet

By Gail Johnson

The Queens Jazz Trail©, Concert Series, a project of Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts, Flushing Town Hall, in partnership with the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, brought the lively, dynamic legacy of jazz to the Rockaway Beach community park on July 17th at 7:00pm.

The Beach 94th – 95th Street Gateway Plaza and Performance Space, the new monumental Amphitheater, a “third place” designed with the community in mind was the stage for the Rubén Coca Quintet. Led by Rubén Coca, the jazz drummer, composer and arranger from Mexico, the Quintet delivered the heat of high-energy jazz to community members, jazz lovers and Latin Jazz lovers, who sought a respite and refuge from the sun, under the Amphitheater.

Rubén Coca, with Dan Martin, Marziani, Nicholas DiMaria and Jack Gruber, the Quintet presented both jazz standards and original compositions.

Great Southeast Queens and Jamaica NY Events The Weekend of 8-1-2025

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Great Southeast Queens and
Jamaica NY Events This Weekend

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Summer Teen Club – Hanging Yarn Art

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Summer Teen Club – Hanging Yarn Art

For Summer Reading, let’s Color Your World! Teens can join Ms. K at Laurelton Library and make hanging yarn art.

7-26-Southeast Queens and Jamaica NY Events This Weekend

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Great Southeast Queens and
Jamaica NY Events This Weekend

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Get More Info

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Area Resident Speaks Out on Autism for the Prestigious TED Talks Forum

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Area Resident Quentin Mezetin Speaks

Out on Autism for the Prestigious

TED Talks Forum

By Southeast Queens Scoop Staff

Quentin Mezetin, a passionate community advocate and tireless champion for children on the autism spectrum, has reached a major milestone in his journey to raise awareness about the complex issues surrounding neurodiversity. The Southeast Queens resident was recently featured on the world-renowned TED Talks forum platform, with over 34 million Youtube subscribers, where he delivered a powerful and deeply personal presentation on autism and the fight against ableism.

In his talk, titled “The Everyday Power of Defeating Ableism and Honoring Neurodiversity,” Mezetin challenges widespread misconceptions about autism and issues a bold call to action for greater inclusion, understanding, and systemic change. The TED Talk—available on YouTube at this link—is already sparking discussion and inspiring viewers from all walks of life.

“Too often, autistic voices are spoken about rather than spoken with,” Mezetin states in the video. “I’m here to shift that narrative.” See his Ted Talks video below...

🔹 A Champion Rooted in Southeast Queens

Readers of the Southeast Queens Scoop will recognize Mezetin from his earlier articles and local advocacy work. In our January 2024 feature, "Get the Scoop on How Quentin Mezetin is Championing Children on the Spectrum", we explored his mission to uplift families often marginalized or misunderstood in conversations around autism—especially within Black and Brown communities.

In April, he followed up with a raw and honest editorial, "Defeating Autism Daily: A Personal Fight for My Child and Others", where he courageously chronicled his own experience as a parent and advocate, highlighting the intersectionality of autism, race, and access to care.

Beyond Familiar Artist Talk

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Beyond Familiar Artist Talk

Join us for an engaging discussion with talented artists from the Beyond Familiar exhibit. Get ready to dive deep into the creative process and gain insights into their inspirations. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the artistic community and expand your horizons.

This event will be sponsored by NYC IT GIRL, as part of their first art walk. IT WALK will take place on August 8th and August 17th, showcasing all things art, culture, lifestyle, and New York! Light refreshments/snacks will be served.

Curated by Wanda Best, the Beyond Familiar exhibition incorporates visual representations reflective of the Pop Art movement. The goal of the exhibit is to see your unique perspective on growth in a creative and lively manner that reaches outside your comfort level. Go beyond your familiar boundaries. The interpretation of “growth” can be personal, observational, or represent a natural progression of change.

IT WALK

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IT WALK

Artwork displayed across 20+ small businesses Jamaica Avenue, Queens (from 146th Street to 171st Street). Open to all ages and genders.

Enjoy community perks like back-to-school giveaways and art workshops all week long!

Featuring 30+ New York artists showcasing a vibrant mix of styles and creative media.

ABJ’s Family Movies in the Park – “Inside Out 2” (2025 – PG – 100 Minutes)

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ABJ’s Family Movies in the Park – “Inside Out 2” (2025 – PG – 100 Minutes)

Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.

Summer Reading: “Color Our World”: Impressionist Painting With Juan

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Summer Reading: “Color Our World”: Impressionist Painting With Juan

Join artist Juan Ortega in creating your own impressionist painting. Kids will make their own amazing painting using lots of bright colors to show how things feel and look. Major support provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2025 city-wide sponsor for Summer Reading and Learning Programs.

✨Get The Scoop On Queens Social Media Influencer Mss. Francois Gracing Prestigious Caribbean Magazine Cover ✨

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✨Mss. Francois Graces Prestigious EveryBody's

Caribbean Magazine Cover✨

Caribbean online influencer and relationship coach Mss. Francois is beaming with pride after being featured on the cover of a world-renowned Caribbean magazine—established in 1977 and celebrated globally for showcasing icons of the Caribbean diaspora. This cover moment marks a major milestone in her already remarkable career.

A Long-Awaited Recognition

In her own words:

“This is not an ordinary post... This cover means the most. Why? This magazine been around since 1977 and it goes all over the world,” she wrote, reflecting that everyone worth knowing “have been on the front cover or within these pages.”

What made this moment even sweeter? After three years of emailing the editor, Mr. Herman Hall, with no reply, she received a phone call just two weeks ago—he had finally discovered her messages and, impressed by her credentials, offered her the coveted cover space. Upon receiving the news, she admits she “did a dance… in my underwear, while trying to keep calm.”

Celebrating Growth & Gratitude

Mss. Francois used this milestone to reflect on her personal journey: “This continues to be a journey and I can say I’m truly embracing my growth.” Her feature prompted heartfelt thanks to those who support her along the way—especially editor Herman Hall and collaborator Candice Romany‑Trumpet, who helped craft her story:

“Thank you for being that voice through the trees that I can trust... I greatly appreciate all your hours spent with putting words together that make the pages come to life.”

She concluded with a powerful affirmation: “I will continue until all my dreams/goals are a reality.”

Get The Scoop On The State Of Family Wellness Today

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The State of Family Wellness Today

By Afi S. Okon, MPA, Adv. Cert in Long-term Health Management. Founder/Executive Director, American Obesity Foundation

It’s 6:45 p.m. The kids are cranky, the dishes are stacked high, your phone keeps buzzing with reminders, and dinner – well, dinner is still in the drive-thru bag. You had the best of intentions this morning. Maybe even pulled out a frozen bag of veggies or made a mental note to take a walk. But the day had other plans.

You are not lazy. You are not failing. You’re human. And you’re not alone.

How Did We Get Here?

Let’s start with the truth: families are struggling. Between busy work schedules, screen time, sugar, stress, and sleep deprivation, it’s no wonder wellness feels like a fantasy. We live in a culture where junk food is cheaper than produce, where screens compete for every spare minute, and where self-care is marketed as a luxury – not a necessity. Our systems aren’t set up for balance. And while there’s no shortage of health advice out there, much of it is confusing, unrealistic, or rooted in guilt.

It’s no wonder many families find themselves stuck – knowing they want better, but unsure how to begin.

The Real Numbers (and Why They Matter)

Let’s pause and look at the reality facing today’s families: According to recent data, childhood obesity rates continue to rise, while anxiety and depression are affecting kids at younger and younger ages. Parents, too, are burned out, busy, and battling their own health issues. Below is important data for you to know:

1 in 5 children in the United States of America is living with obesity

Over 60% of adults say they feel too tired or stressed to exercise

Family meals are becoming more rare, replaced by rushed, individual eating

Mental health struggles among both parents or caregivers and children are rising sharply

But numbers only tell part of the story. Behind these statistics are real people – parents juggling it all, kids craving structure and connection, and households longing for a better rhythm.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and easy to blame ourselves. But here’s the thing: it’s not your fault. The modern world wasn’t built for health. It was built for convenience. Fast food, digital devices, and jam-packed schedules may be normal, but they’re not natural. Our bodies, minds, and hearts are paying the price.

Get The Scoop On Great Southeast Queens and Jamaica NY Events This Weekend

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Great Southeast Queens and
Jamaica NY Events This Weekend

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Pages

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Monday, August 11, 2025

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Friday, August 8, 2025

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

By Afi S. Okon, MPA, Founder American Obesity Foundation

📌 Why Learn to Read Nutrition Labels?

Friday, August 1, 2025

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Thursday, July 24, 2025

🔹 A Champion Rooted in Southeast Queens

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Friday, July 18, 2025

A Long-Awaited Recognition

Celebrating Growth & Gratitude

Thursday, July 17, 2025