Sean Ebony Coleman Leads the Way Serving the Bronx’s LGBTQ Community

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

To mark Black History Month, we’re spotlighting the history and contribution of members of the Black community in The Bronx who are positively impacting the lives of others. In the early 1980s, Sean Ebony Coleman didn’t see much empathy for a community that was being ravaged by AIDS. “A lot of my friends were victims of the HIV-AIDS epidemic, so we were watching a bunch of our friends die [and we were] trying to figure out what we could do better,” Coleman said in an interview with Norwood News. Over time, the epidemic hit very close to home.

By ARIEL PACHECO

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) hosted his annual State of the District address on Jan. 29 at The Forum at Columbia University in front of a packed auditorium with many more waiting outside. As usual, the event was an occasion to highlight the congressman’s legislative victories and present his legislative agenda for the 118th Congress. During his address, Espaillat, a Democrat, committed to increasing funding for public safety, community and cultural programs, infrastructure development, and educational initiatives. “We created and passed legislation to create jobs, to help small businesses, to address climate change, to lower the cost of healthcare,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Staff at Beth Abraham Center nursing facility held a successful holiday wellness clothing drive in December 2022, designed to support both residents and some of the residents’ families. This included both long-term and short-term residents at the Allerton-based, 448-bed, skilled nursing facility. This year, organizers said staff members focused on low-income residents who may not have a family to support them, as well as on the families of some residents. Staff members donated old jackets and other items and let both the residents of the center and their families pick out the items they needed. “We always accept any donation

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is asking for the public’s help locating an 85-year-old man who is reported missing from Fordham Manor. It was reported to police that Robert Cofield of 2505 Grand Avenue was last seen Tuesday, Jan. 24, at approximately 7.50 a.m. walking up the stairwell to the southbound platform [of Fordham Road subway station], located at the intersection of Fordham Road and Jerome Avenue, also in Fordham Manor. Cofield is described as male, is around 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighs 165 pounds, has brown eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a dark gray jacket,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s help in locating a 66-year-old man reported missing from North Riverdale. It was reported to police that Stanley Mills, 66, of 6355 Broadway, Apt 419A, was last seen on Monday, Jan. 9, at 8.49 a.m. inside his home. He is described as male, Black, is around 6 feet, 1 inch tall, weighs 165 pounds, has a dark complexion, salt and pepper hair, brown eyes, and short, cropped hair. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with “NYC” printed on the front in blue lettering, blue jeans, black boots, and a white surgical

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on 2022 and their hopes for the New Year. “I did not feel safe in 2022 and I couldn’t enjoy my summer. A few people dear to me passed away. Despite the few accomplishments that we had, 2022 was filled with disappointments, empty promises, and uncertainty. I hope that in 2023 we can put an end to the reckless motorcycle and motorized bike riding on the sidewalk and the senseless loud noise coming from passenger cars and SUVs. My hopes are to raise awareness to the needs of our folks with disabilities,

By DAVID GREENE

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. Several thousand children received gifts, and in some cases, enjoyed one last encounter with Santa Claus before the end of the holiday season, as several local organizations hosted traditional “Three Kings Day” events across The Bronx. The annual holiday, traditionally celebrated on Jan. 6 each year, recognizes the journey detailed in The Bible of the three kings, also known as the “three wise men” who traveled to Jerusalem to bring gifts to Baby Jesus on the occasion of his birth. One “Three Kings

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A senior female resident located in the Castle Hill area on Monday morning has been reunited with her family, police said. The NYPD had been asking for the public’s help in locating the woman’s family when she was located in the Castle Hill area on Monday, Jan. 9, at 11.05 a.m. A police spokesperson had said at the time the unidentified woman was discovered in the vicinity of Castle Hill Avenue and the Cross Bronx Expressway. Police said the woman identified herself as Qandigula Yousafvia and she appeared to be in her ’70s. They said she was

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD said on Wednesday, Jan. 25, that a 67-year-old woman who had been reported missing in December from Bedford Park has been found. Prior to being located, it had been reported to police that Linda Rubbo-Padilla of Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY had last been seen leaving her home on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 at around 1 p.m. She was described as 5 foot, 2 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds, with brown eyes and gray hair. She had last been seen wearing blue pants and a white t-shirt. An NYPD spokesperson said on Jan. 25, “Missing found, safe