The Southeast Queens Scoop covering positive news, cultural events, and economic empowerment in Jamaica, NY
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
STAATSBURG, NY, July 14, 2025 – The Church in Staatsburg announces "Unearthing the Light," a powerful exhibition and programming series that reveals and reclaims hidden histories and erasures, running July 17 through early September 2024. The exhibition brings together 17 contemporary artists whose work addresses the neglect and erasure of bodies because of gender, race, and poverty, while also considering the earth itself as a site of both harm and healing.
Exhibition Dates:
● Upstate Art Weekend: July 17-21, 12 pm-6 pm daily
● Opening Reception: Saturday, July 19, 6 pm-9 pm
● Extended Run: July 17-early September, by appointment after Upstate Art Weekend
The exhibition was inspired by a little-known cemetery located on the grounds of Hudson Correctional Facility, where girls and infants who died at the institution, formerly known as the House of Refuge for Women (1887-1904) and the New York State Training School for Girls (1904-1975), were buried and largely forgotten until the transmedia art project 'Incorrigibles' commemorated them last summer. This historical foundation provides a poignant backdrop for contemporary works that examine themes of memory, justice, and renewal.
"Unearthing the Light" features diverse media including photographs, works on paper, paintings, sculpture, video, embroidery, and plant works by acclaimed artists Nancy Burson, Celine Cannon, Alison Cornyn, Yolanda Cuomo, Elena del Rivero, Heather Greer, Sandra Harper, Jazmine Hayes, Ofelia Mangen, Tanya Marcuse, Jillian McDonald, Rita Peress, Negin Sharifzadeh, Maggie Simonelli, Nina Sobell, Diana Weymar, and Marina Zurkow.
SAG HARBOR, NY The Black Authors Festival Fundraiser returns bigger and bolder for its Third Annual Celebration, a powerful day of literary excellence, cultural pride, and civic engagement, held on the first Saturday of August in beautiful Sag Harbor, New York. This year’s theme, “The Power of Literacy,” reinforces the Festival’s ongoing mission to raise funds and awareness, inspire action, and champion youth development and literacy equity.
Hempstead, New York - The first chapter of “The 100” began in New York City and arose out of the need for social action and the need for Black Men to come together and organize to be able to have a positive impact on their communities’ problems and challenges in a positive manner.
The first chapter of “The 100” was named the 100 Black Men of New York, Inc.
Many of the members of the initial chapter in New York City worked in the city, and in the 1970’s and around that they set us a meeting with the NYC chapter to have a conversation to ascertain if a chapter could be established on Long Island.
The goal was to establish a chapter in the region that likewise had challenges that needed to be addressed through social action and bringing together black men under a structure to address both challenges and opportunities.
“100 Black Men of America, Inc. was established in 1986. “I was fortunate to be at “The 100” meeting in Hempstead when the vote was taken by the membership to join 100 Black Men of America, Inc. as a member chapter, and the chapter was identified as a founding chapter of America’s prominent and premiere mentoring organization in the United States.” Phil Andrews, Founding President, 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc.
