AIRPORT VOICE, JULY 2020 3
Stranded
Bishop gets
help from
JFK Airport
personnel
Bishop Igbinigie of
the United Temple of
God International Mission
of Nigeria was
stranded at JFK Airport
for weeks. One morning
he just could not
emotionally take it anymore,
fell to his knees,
prostrated himself and
pleaded for help in getting
out of JFK Airport
and back home to Nigeria
in front of dozens of
people. Due to the Covid
pandemic and complicated
by international
flight restrictions and
without repatriation
flights he had been unable
to travel and short
of money was stuck
here in NY since March,
scared, alone, frustrated
and in limbo. Inspector
Bellucci of the PAPD
assisted the Bishop
to Traveler’s Aid and
JFKIAT T4 which was
able to provide lodging,
food and help the Bishop
arrange a flight for the
beginning of the long
trip home. A stranded Nigerian Bishop getting help from JFK Airport PAPD. By Jeff Yapalater
Virtual NY Pride
Port supports
Covid heros
On Thursday, June 25th
the Port Authority of NY &
NJ partnered with the LGBT
Network to highlight some
of the frontline heroes during
the COVID 19 pandemic
in Queens. The Employee
Business Resource group, PA
PRIDE and Joanne Feltman
of the Community Outreach
group spearheaded a digital
presentation of some of the
many faces that have worked
day in and day out to provide
for people in the Queens Community.
Queens was one of the
hardest hit boroughs during
this pandemic and these individuals
worked in healthcare,
provided food for those facing
food insecurity, maintained
our airports operational, and
more. The Port Authority’s
very own, Chris Wolff, was
among these heroes for his
tireless work in coordinating
employees at the agency that
have been impacted by COVID
and trying to maintain some
level of normalcy during these
challenging times. In addition
to this digital celebration PANYNJ
also took part part in
additional Pride events in conjunction
with the LGBT Network.
Virtual NY Pride delivered
all the elements of Pride that
build community, inspire and
empower hundreds of thousands
and help to save lives.
Some of the events for Virtual
NY Pride included a virtual 5K
race, a special Pride LGBTQ
Exhibit and programs recognizing
local LGBTQ heroes in
partnership with LaGuardia
Airport Redevelopment, the
Port Authority of NY & NJ,
LGBT Youth Prom and a Virtual
NY Pride two-hour virtual
streaming event on Sunday,
June 14th featuring a virtual
parade, live and recorded performances
from local artists
and celebrities, speakers and
special guests. Sponsors include
Bethpage Federal Credit
Union and Northwell Health.
PA PRIDE serves as the
Port Authority’s network for
LGBTQ employees. PA PRIDE
focuses on ensuring a fair,
safe, and equitable workplace
for LGBTQ individuals with
the goal of increasing the
reach of Port Authority recruiting
and ensuring best-inclass
diversity practices. PA
PRIDE will focus on outreach,
network building, and dynamic
programming to highlight
the Port Authority as an
employer of choice for LGBTQ
individuals.