Nonprofi t launches literacy program
Start Lighthouse initiative teaches kids about social justice through books
BY JASON COHEN
In May, nonprofi t Start
Lighthouse launched its initiative
to distribute 300 books
and literacy kits to students at
P.S. 5 in Port Morris. On Monday,
it expanded its offerings
with a new program.
Lighthouse saw the tension
brewing in this country and
realized that many students
do not learn about themselves
or race in school. Therefore,
it created a six-week initiative
for 10 elementary school
students in the south Bronx
titled “Little Woke Activist.”
It was founded by educators
Anya Morales and Rina
Madhani and fellow teachers,
Snigdha Baduni and
Yackira Rodolis, who serve as
the directors of literacy and
Soi’more Cherry, the facilitator.
The children will learn
about identity, community,
how they feel about oneself,
culture and traditions.
The guest speakers
throughout the program will
include Yangsook Choi, Kobi
Yamada, Calvin Alexander
Ramsey, Caridad De
La Luz, Kimberly Drew
and Ramon Contreras.
“There’s a misconception
that children of any age won’t
be able to grasp the idea of social
justice,” Cherry said.
So far, the staff has been
impressed with the youngsters.
The kids spoke about
their names, if they have been
embarrassed by their name,
what it means to them, drew
self portraits and compared
their skin color to food. One
kid even said his skin is similar
to toast and it made him
feel warm.
“It started out as a conversation
and then they really
got to share their thoughts,”
Cherry explained. “It didn’t
seem like school work. It has
been effortless.”
Rodolis explained the parents
have found the program
to be benefi cial. Parents Jacklyn
Vicro and Yarlene Negron
spoke with the Bronx Times
about how Little Woke Activist
has helped their kids.
Negron of Morissania has
a daughter Genesis in the
third grade at Success Academy
Diaz, BronxNet debut virtual concerts
BRONX TIMES R 16 EPORTER, JULY 17-23, 2020 BTR
and felt it was important
for her to look at her identity.
“I thought she would like
it,” Negron said. “It’s good for
kids to be involved at a young
age and learn about activism
and what is right and wrong.”
Genesis spoke about what
she likes about herself and
her name. She knew her mom
chose that named because of
the bible and it that it means
the beginning.
Little Woke Activist allows
her to communicate freely, her
mom said. She enjoys talking,
meeting new people, cracking
jokes and loves her hair.
“I think with this program
she will express herself
better and understand people’s
feelings better,” Negron
shared.
Vicro of Castle Hill has a
daughter Natalie Balbuena
in second grade at P.S. 36 at
1070 Castle Hill Ave. Normally
Balbuena does not go
to summer camp, so this was
a perfect opportunity.
Like Negron, Vicro loves
how this gives her daughter a
chance to learn about herself
and be independent.
“I think they’re teaching
them stuff they don’t get
taught at school,” Vicro said.
“The program is trying to
show them who they are. I
hope this program grows because
it’s really benefi cial for
the kids.”
Third grader Genesis Negron participates in Little Woke Activist.
Courtesy of Yarlene Negron
BY JENNA BAGCAL
While outdoor concerts
may not be returning for a
while, Bronx residents will
be treated to a month long
virtual concert series s.
Borough President Ruben
Diaz Jr. in collaboration with
the Bronx Tourism Council
and BronxNet announced
the debut of “The Best of
The Bronx Concert Series,”
which begins on Sunday,
July 11 and runs every Sunday
until the end of August.
The series will feature performances
from past iterations
of The Bronx Summer
Concert Series Salsa Fest.
Prior to COVID-19, the
annual concert series was
slated to take place from
July through August at “The
Bronx Riviera,” but was canceled
due to social distancing
regulations.
“The Bronx has such rich
musical history,” said Diaz.
“As the birthplace of so many
genres, from doo-wop to hiphop
to salsa, the ‘The Bronx
Summer Concert Series’ has
always had a special place in
my heart. Orchard Beach’s
Salsa Fest beautifully captures
the unique fl avor that
makes The Bronx ‘El Condado
de la Salsa,’ and while
we would have loved to have
hosted our 5th Annual Bronx
Summer Concert Series, the
safety of our residents takes
priority as we continue to
work together to not only
fl atten the curve, but eliminate
COVID-19.”
In the past, the live concert
series has featured legendary
artists including The
Mambo Legends Orchestra
and Los Hermanos Moreno
as well as local talent and
Bronx dance teams.
This year’s line up for the
telecast includes the following:
July 12: Bronx Summer
Concert Series 2018 Kickoff –
N’Klabe and Coro
July 19: Bronx Summer
Concert Series 2019 – Raulin
Rosendo, Raul Acosta, and
Oro Solido
July 26: Bronx Summer
Concert Series 2019 – Tipica
73 and Hector Tricoche
August 2: Bronx Summer
Concert Series 2017 – Ismael
Miranda and TKA
August 9: Bronx Summer
Concert Series 2018 – Ricardo
Jerome & The Fusion Band,
The Everything Covered
Band, and Fuerza Positiva
August 16: Bronx Summer
Concert Series 2019 – The
Mambo Legends Orchestra
August 23: Bronx Summer
Concert Series 2019 – Tony
Vega & Bronx Charanga
August 30: Bronx Summer
Concert Series 2016 – Los
Hermanos Moreno and Willy
Valentin y Su Orquesta
“We look forward to celebrating
Bronx Salsa Fest
together in the future, but
in the spirit of keeping our
brand alive, we are also offering
some virtual activities
in addition to the previous
concerts being aired,”
said Olga Luz Tirado, executive
director of The Bronx
Tourism Council. “Though,
for now, we are keeping a
safe distance, I am confi dent
that we will dance together
again!”
Those interested can
watch the virtual “Best of
the Bronx Summer Concert
Series” on BronxNet TV
(channel 67 on Optimum and
channel 33 on Verizon Fios.)
The series will also stream
every Sunday from July 12 to
Aug. 30 on BronxNet.TV.
“BronxNet broadcasts
programs that celebrate The
Bronx as a cultural capital
and nexus of the arts, said
BronxNet Executive Director
Michael Max Knobbe.
“Through our longstanding
partnership with the Bronx
Borough President and The
Bronx Tourism Council we
are proud to broadcast the
Bronx Summer Concert Series
on BronxNet TV.”
Salsa singer and songwriter Ismael Miranda at the concert series in 2017
Photo by Miriam Quinones