Welcome to The New York City Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Upcoming New York Liberty game

• Memorial Day Kids Party Cruise

• A deep dive into the life of Malcolm X

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“You can get what you want or you can just get old.”

― Billy Joel

New York City Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which New York City bridge celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1983?

A) The Brooklyn Bridge

B) The Manhattan Bridge

C) The Williamsburg Bridge

D) The George Washington Bridge

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia: The New York City Subway officially opened in B) 1904.

The Best Stories of the Week

💼 Business

Good Time Brewing Non-Alcoholic Brewer Launches in New York City With Union Beer. (link)

Red Lobster abruptly closes at least 50 restaurants including in NY, NJ. (link)

New York Security Company Settles Age, Disability Bias Suit. (link)

NYC salad chain says it's the go-to lunch spot for finding a wealthy guy in finance. (link)

🏦 Finance

Seyfarth Shaw Recruits New York Corporate Partner Luke Iovine. (link)

Goodwin Recruits Private Investment Funds Partner in New York. (link)

A portrait by British painter Francis Bacon of his great love sold for $27.7 million at Sotheby's spring sales in New York. (link)

🏒 Sports

Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz was honored by the New York state Senate for his prolific career and philanthropic work. (link)

New York Jets Officially Sign Majority of 2024 Draft Class. (link)

Former NBA player slams New York Knicks' Tom Thibodeau, blames him for injuries. (link)

New York Giants Unveil 100th Season Logo, Uniform Patch. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏀New York Liberty vs. Seattle Storm
Barclays Center Brooklyn, NY
Monday May 20 | 7:00 PM | (more info)

⚾️Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
Maimonides Park Brooklyn, NY
Tuesday May 21 | 6:00 PM | (more info)

⚾️New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants
Citi Field Flushing, NY
Saturday May 25 | 1:40 PM | (more info)

⚾️Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
Maimonides Park Brooklyn, NY
Sunday May 26 | 2:00 PM | (more info)

Music & Concerts

🎶The Heart of Rock and Roll
James Earl Jones Theatre New York, NY
Tuesday May 21 | 7:00 PM | (more info)

🎤SiM: Playdead World Tour
Irving Plaza Powered By Verizon 5G New York, NY
Thursday May 23 | 6:00 PM | (more info)

🎭The Great Gatsby (Touring)
Broadway Theatre-New York
Thursday May 23 | 2:00 PM | (more info)

🎭The Notebook: A New Musical
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre New York, NY
Thursday May 23 | 7:00 PM | (more info)

Family

👗Children's Fashion and Talent Showcase
Doles Recreation Center 250 South 6th Avenue Mount Vernon, NY
Saturday, May 25 · 3 - 5pm EDT| (more info)

🚢Memorial Day Kids Party Cruise
Skyport Marina 2430 FDR Drive New York,
Sunday, May 26 · 3 - 5:30pm EDT | (more info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “New York City illuminated entirely by bioluminescent plants and structures.” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

New York City History

1925: The Harlem Renaissance reaches its peak.

By 1925, the Harlem Renaissance had reached its zenith, marking a period of unprecedented African American artistic and cultural expression in Harlem, New York City. This cultural movement encompassed literature, visual arts, music, and theater, showcasing the talents and creativity of African American artists and intellectuals. Central figures of the Renaissance, such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington, explored themes of racial identity, social inequality, and the African American experience, contributing to a vibrant and dynamic cultural landscape.

The Harlem Renaissance was characterized by a spirit of defiance against racial segregation and a celebration of African American cultural heritage. It provided a platform for black voices to be heard and appreciated on their own terms, challenging prevailing stereotypes and advocating for social and political change. The movement also fostered a sense of community and solidarity among African American artists and intellectuals, encouraging collaboration and innovation across artistic disciplines.

The legacy of the Harlem Renaissance extends far beyond its peak in the mid-1920s, influencing generations of artists and activists and contributing to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. It redefined African American identity and cultural expression, leaving an indelible mark on American culture and society. The Harlem Renaissance remains a testament to the power of art and literature to challenge injustice, inspire change, and celebrate the human spirit, embodying a critical moment in the history of racial empowerment and artistic freedom.

Famous New Yorkers In History

Malcolm X (1925–1965): Minister and human rights activist.

Early Life and Hardships (1925–1940)

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925. He faced racism from an early age after the Ku Klux Klan targeted his family, which resulted in the family moving to Lansing, Michigan. His father's untimely and violent death, which Malcolm believed was a racially motivated murder, and his mother's subsequent institutionalization due to mental health issues marked his early years with tragedy.

Time in Foster Care and Delinquency (1941–1945)

After his mother was institutionalized, Malcolm and his siblings were split up into foster homes. During his teenage years in Lansing and later in Boston, he became involved in various petty crimes, leading to his increasing alienation from mainstream society. These formative years were characterized by his gradual descent into a life of delinquency.

Imprisonment and Self-Education (1946–1952)

Malcolm's criminal activities culminated in his arrest and imprisonment in 1946. It was during his time in prison that he underwent a significant transformation. Through self-education, he developed a voracious reading habit, absorbing a wide range of subjects and beginning to question the racial status quo of America.

Conversion to the Nation of Islam (1953–1959)

While in prison, Malcolm was introduced to the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Upon his release in 1952, he quickly rose through the ranks of the organization, adopting the last name "X" to signify the loss of his African ancestral identity. His charismatic leadership and eloquent public speaking skills helped to significantly expand the Nation's membership.

Rise as a Public Figure (1960–1963)

Malcolm X became a prominent national spokesman for the Nation of Islam. His debates and speeches, which often highlighted the plight of African Americans and criticized the civil rights movement for its advocacy of racial integration, brought him both national acclaim and controversy.

Malcolm X and New York (1964)

After leaving the Nation of Islam in 1964, Malcolm X founded Muslim Mosque, Inc., and the Organization of Afro-American Unity, based in New York City. These organizations allowed him to focus more on human rights than strictly religious themes. New York became his base from where he articulated his new visions for black empowerment and social change.

International Travels and Broadened Perspectives (1964)

Malcolm X's travels to Africa and the Middle East in 1964 profoundly influenced his worldview. He met with several heads of state and was struck by the potential for a united effort to address global issues affecting people of African descent. These experiences led him to adopt a more inclusive and internationalist approach to human rights.

Final Months and Philosophical Evolution (1965)

In the final months of his life, Malcolm X's views continued to evolve. He began to advocate for racial unity and showed a willingness to collaborate with civil rights leaders, moving away from his earlier separatist rhetoric. His philosophy was cut short when he was assassinated in February 1965.

Legacy and Influence (Post-1965)

Following his assassination, Malcolm X's ideas on black dignity, self-defense, and human rights continued to influence civil rights movements across the world. He is remembered as a pioneering advocate for racial equality, whose philosophies challenged the mainstream civil rights movement and introduced important critiques of racism in America.

Posthumous Recognition and Impact

Decades after his death, Malcolm X remains a symbol of empowerment and justice for marginalized communities. His teachings continue to be relevant in the context of social justice and race relations in America and around the globe.

Key Achievements:

• Influential leader in the Nation of Islam, bringing in thousands of new members.

• Founded Muslim Mosque, Inc., and the Organization of Afro-American Unity.

• Advocated for black empowerment, self-defense, and human rights.

• Played a significant role in raising awareness about civil rights issues internationally.

• Left a lasting legacy as a human rights activist.

Malcolm X's biography illustrates a journey from a troubled youth to a powerful leader and human rights activist. His transformation during his prison years, his leadership within the Nation of Islam, and his later advocacy for global human rights initiatives mark the significant phases of his life. Malcolm X's legacy continues to inspire and challenge individuals to fight for justice and equality.

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-Matthew Larsen

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