July 31, 2026 - New York Weekly

Inside the ESSENCE Festival of Culture: The Conversations, Creators and Culture That Defined 2026

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

By: Erika “PR Diva” Enyolu

Before the first concert lights illuminated the Caesars Superdome and before thousands of attendees filled the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center earlier this month, excitement was already building around the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola.

The weekend officially opened with the Press Welcome Experience, where journalists from across the country gathered to hear festival executives unveil this year’s vision. Alongside previews of programming, attendees received the first look at ESSENCE magazine’s latest Culture’s Creators cover, setting the stage for a weekend celebrating culture, entrepreneurship, entertainment and community.

Covering the festival as a correspondent while producing exclusive digital content for PR Diva TV, I found that the ESSENCE Festival of Culture offers no single path through the weekend. Every stage, activation and conversation created a different experience, allowing attendees to shape the festival in their own way.

By the following morning, the convention center had transformed into a vibrant hub of activity. Thousands of guests moved between live conversations, networking spaces, shopping experiences and brand activations. Long lines formed for giveaways and product launches while creators filmed content throughout the massive convention floor. The colorful displays and constant energy made it clear that experiencing the festival in person was something photos and videos alone could never fully capture.

Throughout the weekend, New Orleans dancers dressed in vibrant traditional attire moved through the convention center, adding another reminder that the city’s rich culture was woven into the festival experience itself.

Beautycon remained one of the busiest destinations, drawing crowds eager to discover emerging products, meet founders and experience live demonstrations. Brands including Grow Good, Brown Sugar Babe and Her Fantasy Box welcomed visitors with interactive activations that encouraged conversation as much as shopping.

Among the entrepreneurs I interviewed was Kayla Rowe, founder and CEO of Her Fantasy Box. Our conversation explored the growth of Rowe’s beauty brand, the importance of creating products that inspire confidence and self-expression, and the value of connecting with customers face-to-face during one of the country’s largest celebrations of Black culture and entrepreneurship.

The festival’s discussion stages attracted audiences eager to hear candid conversations from influential voices across entertainment, business and culture.

One of the weekend’s most anticipated conversations featured former First Lady Michelle Obama alongside actress and television personality Keke Palmer during a special live edition of IMO Live inside the Caesars Superdome. Their candid discussion blended humor with honest reflections on confidence, identity and public perception, setting the tone for an evening that celebrated storytelling, resilience and authenticity.

Another packed session featured Grammy Award-winning artist Cardi B during her Passion to Profit conversation on the Beautycon Stage. Rather than delivering a traditional keynote, Cardi B brought her signature humor, confidence and unfiltered personality while discussing entrepreneurship, beauty ventures and expanding beyond music.

One of the session’s standout moments came when Cardi enthusiastically praised New Orleans restaurateur Larry Morrow while sharing some of her favorite local meals. Within minutes, a clip captured by PR Diva TV began circulating online after being shared by Larry Morrow and several New Orleans-based social media platforms, extending the festival’s footprint far beyond the convention center.

Celebrity moments weren’t limited to scheduled interviews.

Throughout the weekend, PR Diva TV continued filming Dapping Up Celebrity 10s: ESSENCE Festival Edition, a viral digital series capturing quick, unscripted moments with artists and public figures outside traditional interviews.

One familiar face was Teyana Taylor, the inaugural Chief Curator of the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture. Recognizing me from the American Music Awards earlier this year, Taylor smiled, stepped forward and joined in a fun dap before I even had the chance to initiate the greeting, creating one of the weekend’s most genuine celebrity interactions.

Music icon Patti LaBelle also delivered one of the weekend’s simplest yet most memorable exchanges. As she walked past, I greeted her with, “Hi Patti.” LaBelle made eye contact, smiled warmly, waved and replied, “Hi baby,” before continuing on, a brief interaction that reflected the warmth many artists brought to the festival.

Another standout moment came with actress Tisha Campbell, who enthusiastically joined the dap greeting while promoting her book, The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love. For me, the encounter carried personal significance, as my older brother is nonverbal and autistic. Campbell’s willingness to speak openly about autism highlighted how public figures can use their platforms to bring greater visibility to issues affecting families around the world.

Not every memorable moment involved a celebrity. Throughout the convention center, longtime friends reunited, first-time collaborators exchanged ideas and entrepreneurs introduced their businesses to new audiences. The performances may draw the crowds, but the conversations, collaborations and shared sense of community are what truly define the experience and keep attendees returning year after year.

One of my featured interviews was with Grammy-nominated R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn. When I asked how it felt to see a reimagined version of ‘You’ first released more than two decades ago return to No. 1, DeVaughn reflected on the journey behind the milestone.

“It’s a great feeling. I put in a lot of work, obviously,” he said. “A song that I put out 21 years ago, 19 years later for me to remake it and have it go No. 1, it’s a very surreal moment for me. And this version I own. Life is about ownership.”

His answer spoke to the value of perseverance, reinvention and taking ownership of the work that shapes a lasting legacy.

Outside the convention center, New Orleans remained an essential part of the experience. Between interviews and panel discussions, a classic catfish po’boy stood out as one of the weekend’s highlights. The city’s music, hospitality and unmistakable energy offered a welcome change of pace between assignments, reinforcing why New Orleans remains inseparable from the ESSENCE Festival experience.

As evening arrived, attention shifted to the Caesars Superdome, where audiences filled the stadium for the Evening Concert Series. Among the many performances throughout the weekend were memorable sets from Babyface, Kehlani, Brandy and Monica, Cardi B, T.I., and a moving tribute honoring the legacy of Aaliyah. Curated by music legend Missy Elliott, the tribute featured performances by Mya, Chlöe Bailey, Normani, Ryan Destiny and Sevyn Streeter. The lineup reflected the depth, diversity and cross-generational appeal that have become defining hallmarks of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture.

The connections continued long after the convention center closed. Creator events, including the ESSENCE GU x Kensington Grey Creator Mixer and Society18’s Creator Kickoff Soirée, gave select attendees another opportunity to network, collaborate and exchange ideas in a more intimate setting.

Looking back, the weekend wasn’t defined by a single performance or celebrity encounter. It was the conversations, creators and culture that left the strongest impression, reaffirming that the ESSENCE Festival of Culture is more than a celebration of music. It’s where stories are shared, relationships are built and culture comes to life.

Techniques for Managing Anxiety in a Fast-Paced City Life

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the noise and rush of city living? The constant movement, loud sounds, and busy streets can make anyone feel anxious. Many people find it hard to relax in a place that never seems to slow down.

Stress from work, crowded spaces, and daily demands can build up quickly. This anxiety can affect both the mind and body in many ways. But there are simple ways to ease these feelings and find calm even in the busiest cities.

Discover practical tips to help manage anxiety and enjoy city life with more peace and balance. Keep on reading

Practice Mindful Breathing

Mindful breathing helps slow the mind and body. Sit quietly and focus on each breath as it moves in and out.

Even a few minutes of deep breathing each day can ease anxiety. Try to notice how your chest rises and falls with each breath. This simple practice can create a sense of calm in the middle of city chaos.

Create a Calm Space at Home

Make a peaceful spot in your home just for relaxing. Use soft lighting, comfortable chairs, or calming colors.

Keep this area free from screens and loud sounds. Spending time in your calm space can help you recharge. It gives you a break from the busy outside world.

Take Regular Breaks Outside

Spending time outdoors, even in the city, is very helpful. Look for parks, gardens, or green areas nearby.

A short walk in nature can lower stress and boost mood. Try to take these breaks during your lunch hour or after work. Being outside helps your body and mind reset.

Stay Active with Simple Exercise

Physical activity is a strong tool for fighting anxiety. Walking, stretching, or dancing at home can all help.

You do not need a gym to get moving. A little exercise each day keeps stress levels lower. Moving your body is often the therapy for anxiety that fits best with a busy lifestyle.

Eat Well and Rest Enough

Making choices that are good for you can have a significant impact. Make an effort to consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

If you want to avoid getting too much sugar or caffeine, drink plenty of water. Sleep is equally as important for maintaining a calm state of mind. To help your body unwind before bedtime, establish a routine.

Stay Connected with Others

Communication with loved ones or close friends can help alleviate feelings of anxiety. Listen to what others have to say while also sharing your own thoughts.

Being around other people can help make city life feel less isolating. Participate in a club or group that you find interesting. When times are stressful, having strong connections can provide support.

Practical Ways To Manage Anxiety

If you live in a city that moves quickly, you do not have to be under constant stress. Simple routines can bring greater tranquility and equilibrium daily.

Practicing mindful breathing, eating well, and surrounding yourself with people you can rely on can make a significant difference. Use these suggestions to determine which ones work best for you. Everyone can find ways to feel calmer in a chaotic world.

What Parents Should Know About Youth Baseball Shades Before Tryouts

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

Ask any 10U coach in Arizona what happens the first Saturday of March and you’ll hear some version of the same story. A kid who tracked everything in fall ball suddenly can’t find a routine fly. It isn’t the swing or the glove. The sun moved, and nobody bought the kid sunglasses.

Baseball shades are one of the most underrated pieces of gear in youth ball. Parents will spend $300 on a composite bat without blinking, then send a kid into a 1 p.m. game in July with nothing on their face. The result is missed plays, eye strain headaches, and, in some cases, real long term damage from cumulative UV exposure on developing eyes.

This guide covers what actually matters when shopping for youth baseball sunglasses, what to ignore, and how to tell whether a pair will survive a season of dugout abuse.

Why kids need different eyewear than adults

Children’s eyes transmit more ultraviolet light to the retina than adult eyes do. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has published research showing that the lens of a child under ten filters significantly less UV than an adult lens, which means more radiation reaches the back of the eye. Baseball, played outdoors during peak sun hours from March through July across most of the country, is a meaningful chunk of a kid’s lifetime UV exposure, much of which happens before 18.

The practical issue on the field is different but related. A youth player’s face is smaller, narrower at the temples, and shorter from brow to cheek. Adult frames slide down the nose, sit too wide, and leave gaps where light leaks in from the side. That side light is exactly what makes a fly ball disappear at 1 p.m. in July. A pair of glasses for baseball has to actually fit, or the optical quality of the lens does not matter.

There is also weight. Most adult performance sunglasses weigh between 28 and 35 grams. For a 70 pound nine year old wearing a batting helmet, that weight pulls the frame forward on every swing. Anything over about 25 grams tends to bounce.

Lens color matters more than brand

Coaches and parents fixate on polarization, which is useful but not the whole story. Lens tint matters more for tracking a ball against changing backgrounds.

Amber and rose copper tints, in the 15 to 25 percent visible light transmission range, are the standard for baseball. They sharpen contrast between a white ball and a blue sky, and they help the ball stand out at the brown-to-green transition between infield dirt and outfield grass. Gray lenses look cooler. They also flatten contrast, which is the opposite of what an outfielder needs.

Green and blue mirror coatings have become popular because they photograph well, but they often reduce the very contrast that helps a player pick up the ball off the bat. For softball sunglasses in particular, where a yellow ball is already high contrast against most skies, a lighter rose lens around 30 percent VLT tends to work well for dawn and dusk games.

Polarization helps cut glare off shiny surfaces. That matters for infielders dealing with reflections off metal bleachers, parked cars beyond the fence, and wet grass during morning tournaments. It can occasionally make it harder to read a tablet in the dugout, but on the field the tradeoff is almost always worth it.

Fit, grip, and the bounce problem

The most common complaint from youth players is that the frames bounce when running. A center fielder sprinting in on a sinking line drive cannot afford to lose half a second adjusting glasses.

A frame stops bouncing when three things are true. The temples have to grip the side of the head, not just rest on the ears. The nose pads need rubberized or silicone contact, not bare plastic. And the overall weight has to stay low enough that inertia does not pull the frame off the face during a hard stop.

Oakley, Under Armour, Tifosi, and goodr all make models with grip coatings on the nose and temples for running sports. Prices run from around $25 at the entry level to over $200 for high end interchangeable lens systems. Most youth players land in the $30 to $70 range. A $200 pair sitting on a dugout bench is a problem.

What about prescription wearers

Roughly a quarter of kids ages 6 to 17 wear corrective lenses. For these players, eyeglasses for baseball create a real problem. Regular prescription glasses fog, slide, and offer no UV protection. Contacts solve some of this but introduce dust and dirt issues on a windy infield.

There are three workable options. Prescription sports sunglasses, made by Oakley, SportRx, and others, are the cleanest solution but expensive, often $250 and up. Clip-in prescription inserts that mount behind a standard sport sunglass frame are cheaper, around $80 to $150, and work for most prescriptions under about -4.00. Daily disposable contacts worn under a regular pair are the third route, and for many families it ends up being the most practical.

One note for parents of younger kids: avoid glass lenses entirely. Polycarbonate or Trivex are the only acceptable lens materials for any youth sport. Glass shatters, and a foul tip to the face with glass lenses is a hospital trip.

Durability and the dugout test

A pair of youth baseball sunglasses will be dropped on concrete, stepped on by cleats, sat on, thrown in a bat bag with batting gloves and sunflower seed shells, and left on a metal bench in 95 degree heat. Any pair that cannot survive that is the wrong pair.

Look for frames made from TR90 nylon or similar flexible polymers. These bend rather than snap. Hinges are the first failure point on cheap sunglasses, so spring loaded or barrel hinges outlast simple pin hinges by a wide margin. An anti-scratch hard coat is standard on anything over about $20. Cheaper gas station sunglasses scratch within a week of use.

A reasonable expectation for a $40 pair bought in March: it lasts through spring and summer ball. Fall ball is a bonus.

A few practical buying notes

Measure the kid’s face before ordering online. The number that matters most is temple to temple width, measured across the front of the face at eye level. For most players under 12, this falls between 115 and 130 millimeters. Frame width is usually printed on the inside of the temple arm on adult glasses, so an existing pair of regulars gives a reference point.

Buy a hard case, or at least a microfiber pouch. The case will not always get used. The pouch usually will.

And buy a backup pair. Not a fancy one. A $20 spare that lives in the bat bag means a lost or broken primary pair does not end a tournament weekend at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Good baseball shades will not turn a struggling outfielder into a gold glover. Bad ones, or no ones, will cost a player runs over the course of a season. For a piece of gear that costs less than a decent bat grip, that is a strange place to cut corners.

Preserving Traditions Through Storytelling: The Literary Journey of John Jarzynski

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

A Life Shaped by Stories, Education, and the Outdoors

For author John Jarzynski, storytelling is more than a creative pursuit; it is a way of preserving memories, traditions, and family history. A retired English teacher with a lifelong passion for hunting dogs and the outdoors, Jarzynski has spent decades collecting experiences that would eventually become the foundation of his books.

Living in New York, he dedicated 30 years to teaching English before pursuing his passion for writing. His transition from educator to author allowed him to share personal stories that celebrate family bonds, outdoor adventures, and the lessons learned from a lifetime spent alongside dogs.

Building a Legacy Through Books

Jarzynski is the author of three books: Tally Ho: Confessions of an Old Beagler, Beagle Boy: A Life with Hunting Dogs, and his latest release, Hunting Dogs and Lessons Learned. Each work reflects his experiences growing up in a family where dogs, hunting traditions, and outdoor activities played an important role.

While his newest book remains his personal favorite, all three titles serve a greater purpose. They were written not only for readers but also for his children and future generations of his family.

“I wanted these stories preserved so they wouldn’t be lost,” Jarzynski explains. Through his writing, he documents cherished memories involving his father, grandfather, brother, and the many dogs that became part of their family’s story.

The Powerful Bond Between Humans and Dogs

At the heart of Jarzynski’s work is a deep appreciation for the relationship between people and dogs. His books explore how dogs influence family connections, teach responsibility, and encourage a greater appreciation for life itself.

As a longtime owner of beagles and Labrador retrievers, Jarzynski believes dogs are happiest when they are allowed to fulfill the purpose for which they were bred. Whether it is a beagle tracking rabbits or a retriever working in the field, he sees purpose as an essential part of a dog’s well-being.

This philosophy extends beyond animals. Through his stories, Jarzynski encourages readers to discover meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their own lives while appreciating the simple joys found in nature and family traditions.

Writing Beyond Books

In addition to authoring books, Jarzynski has contributed articles to respected outdoor publications, including Hounds and Hunting and American Field. His writing reflects years of firsthand experience and a genuine understanding of sporting dogs and hunting culture.

His ability to blend practical knowledge with engaging storytelling has earned him recognition among outdoor enthusiasts and dog lovers alike.

Leadership in the Beagle Community

Jarzynski’s dedication to dogs extends well beyond the written page. He currently serves as Vice President of the Northeast Beagle Gun Dog Federation, an organization representing dozens of beagle clubs throughout the northeastern United States.

His involvement in the sport also includes decades of service as an American Kennel Club field trial judge. Since 1990, he has judged more than 250 AKC Beagle Field Trial events, contributing significantly to the advancement and preservation of hunting dog traditions.

Through these leadership roles, he continues to support responsible dog ownership, ethical sporting practices, and the education of future generations of enthusiasts.

Literary Influences and Inspiration

When discussing his literary influences, Jarzynski points to Mark Twain as his favorite author. He also credits fellow writer Reverend Bob Ford for encouraging and motivating him throughout his publishing journey.

Equally influential have been his two sons, whose experiences and shared adventures have provided inspiration and content for many of the stories featured in his books.

A Message for Readers

Jarzynski’s books are written for dog owners, hunting enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, and anyone who values family traditions. His goal is not simply to entertain but to preserve meaningful experiences that might otherwise be forgotten.

Through heartfelt storytelling and genuine reflection, he reminds readers that some of life’s greatest lessons come from family, nature, and the loyal companions who walk beside us.

Looking Ahead

As John Jarzynski continues to share his experiences through writing, his work stands as a testament to the enduring value of storytelling. By preserving memories, celebrating traditions, and honoring the bond between humans and dogs, he has created a literary legacy that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

Observation, Research, And The Written Word, The Journey Of Ron Williams

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

Great non-fiction writers are rarely shaped in a single moment. More often, they are built through years of quiet observation, a habit of paying attention, and a natural curiosity about how complex real-world stories come together. For author Ron Williams, that analytical eye was developed on the road across the American heartland long before he ever picked up a pen to write his first manuscript.

Growing up, home was a constantly moving target for Williams. Born in a small Iowa hospital while his parents were in the middle of a relocation, he spent his childhood moving every two years as his father climbed the career ladder in retail automotive management. By the time he reached adulthood, he had lived in nearly a dozen different towns across central Iowa.

Moving around so frequently came with its own set of challenges, but it served as an early education in human nature. Switching schools and communities every couple of years forced Williams to adapt quickly, read social dynamics with accuracy, and learn how to watch people from a comfortable distance. Shifting between different social circles taught him to stay grounded, avoid unnecessary conflict, and appreciate the underlying rhythms of small-town life.

When he was not settling into a new town, he was usually reading. As a young student, Williams spent countless late nights under the covers with a flashlight, turning pages long past bedtime. His early reading list leaned heavily toward history, military campaigns, and national disasters. As he grew older, his interests expanded into newsstand magazines and long-form journalism, devouring publications like Time, National Geographic, and Reader’s Digest. He paid close attention to how professional reporters gathered facts, organized complex timelines, and built compelling real-world narratives out of scattered information.

That lifelong habit of following complex news stories carried over into his professional career. While working in facility and plant inspection throughout the Midwest, Williams developed a strong appreciation for procedural detail, physical evidence, and careful record-keeping. His job required a sharp eye for subtle clues, a trait that naturally complemented his passion for investigative non-fiction.

The real spark for his debut book came during a routine work trip through Nebraska in 2010. While driving between client appointments, Williams began following radio news updates regarding a complex, multi-year investigative search taking place out on Long Island. The sheer scale of the archival records, the decade-long efforts of regional authorities, and the intricate timelines involved captured his attention immediately. For years following that trip, he quietly tracked public records, investigative reports, and ongoing media coverage surrounding the case.

When a major procedural breakthrough made national headlines in 2023, decades of casual research and keen observation came together. Williams realized he possessed a deep, structured perspective on the story and decided it was time to step into the role of an author.

His debut book reflects that long journey. Written with the straightforward clarity of his Midwestern roots and the steady approach of an experienced inspector, the work focuses heavily on timeline reconstruction, methodology, and the power of investigative persistence. For a writer whose life began on the move and was shaped by late-night reading sessions, the publication of his first book marks both a major career milestone and a natural next chapter.

The Next Era of Education Has Arrived: Why Innovation, AI, and Human Influence Will Define the Future

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

By: Janella Rose

Artificial intelligence is no longer a concept confined to Silicon Valley or research laboratories. It has become a transformative force influencing classrooms, boardrooms, healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and nearly every sector of the global economy. As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, educational institutions face a defining question. How do they prepare students for careers, industries, and leadership opportunities that may not yet exist?

For Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, Chancellor and Founder of Trinity International University of Ambassadors, the answer begins with a fundamental shift in how higher education views its purpose.

“Education has always been about preparing people for the future,” Mohair says. “The difference today is that the future is changing faster than traditional education has been designed to respond.”

That conviction has shaped TIUA’s approach to leadership development, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and workforce innovation. Rather than focusing solely on academic achievement, the university is building an educational ecosystem where students develop practical experience alongside their credentials by publishing books, launching businesses, producing media, creating nonprofit organizations, and learning to integrate artificial intelligence into real world leadership.

Mohair believes universities must move beyond simply awarding degrees. They must become engines of innovation.

Preparing Leaders for an AI Economy

The rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence has intensified conversations across higher education. Universities are reevaluating curricula, employers are redefining workforce expectations, and students increasingly recognize that lifelong learning will become essential to professional success.

According to Mohair, these changes present an opportunity rather than a threat.

“Artificial intelligence should never replace human leadership,” she explains. “It should expand what leaders are capable of accomplishing.”

That philosophy forms the foundation of the Influence Authority™ Ecosystem, an artificial intelligence powered platform scheduled to enter beta in September 2026. Designed for educators, entrepreneurs, nonprofit executives, corporate leaders, authors, speakers, and coaches, the platform integrates artificial intelligence with leadership development, strategic visibility, publishing, business growth, and organizational capacity building.

Instead of viewing artificial intelligence as a replacement for expertise, Mohair describes it as a catalyst for accelerating human potential.

“When technology handles routine tasks, leaders gain more time to think strategically, mentor others, solve complex problems, and create lasting impact,” she says.

Beyond Traditional Higher Education

While many universities continue to focus primarily on classroom instruction, TIUA has embraced a broader vision that reflects the changing realities of today’s marketplace.

Students are encouraged to graduate with more than academic transcripts. They are expected to develop professional portfolios that demonstrate measurable accomplishments. That may include launching a podcast, publishing a book, creating a nonprofit organization, securing grant funding, developing intellectual property, or building an artificial intelligence powered business.

“The future belongs to builders,” Mohair says. “Degrees remain valuable, but education should also equip students to create opportunities, not simply pursue them.”

That philosophy aligns with the growing demand from employers for graduates who possess creativity, adaptability, communication skills, and technological fluency in addition to academic knowledge.

Human Influence in an Artificial Intelligence World

Despite rapid advances in automation, Mohair believes one competitive advantage will remain uniquely human.

“People still choose to follow people they trust,” she says. “Technology cannot replace integrity, empathy, vision, or purpose.”

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday life, she argues that authentic leadership will become even more valuable.

“Innovation creates possibilities,” Mohair explains. “Human influence determines whether those possibilities improve lives.”

That belief has become central to her educational philosophy and informs initiatives that connect leadership development with entrepreneurship, media, and global engagement.

Looking Beyond the Classroom

September 2026 represents a significant milestone for Mohair and her organizations. Alongside the beta launch of the Influence Authority™ Ecosystem, she will participate in leadership conversations during the United Nations General Assembly in New York while continuing to expand the Crown and Confidence Purple Brunch™, an initiative recognizing women who are leading in business, education, government, nonprofit service, and community development.

Although each initiative serves a different audience, Mohair views them as part of one unified mission.

“We are building ecosystems where education, innovation, technology, and leadership work together,” she says. “The goal is not simply to prepare people for employment. It is to prepare them to solve problems, strengthen communities, and lead with purpose.”

A New Definition of Educational Success

For Mohair, the next chapter of higher education will not be measured solely by graduation rates or enrollment numbers. It will be measured by the leaders institutions develop, the communities they strengthen, and the innovations their graduates bring into the world.

“The next era of education has already begun,” she says. “The institutions that embrace innovation while remaining committed to people will define the future.”

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global economy, Mohair believes universities have an opportunity to become more than centers of instruction. They can become launchpads for leadership, innovation, and meaningful change.

“Education is no longer just about earning a degree,” Mohair says. “It is about developing leaders who can think critically, innovate responsibly, embrace technology with wisdom, and create solutions that improve lives. Our responsibility is not simply to educate students for today’s workforce. It is to prepare them to lead tomorrow’s world.”

In an age increasingly defined by technology, Mohair remains convinced that the greatest investment any institution can make is still in people. As higher education enters a new era, she believes the institutions that combine innovation, artificial intelligence, and human influence will be the ones that shape the future of education and, ultimately, the future of society itself. Learn more by clicking here https://youtu.be/bvlonWI0Ui4?si=p7CCF6KxffWsqsAV

From Insight to Identity: How Talsi Tarot Is Expanding Her Practice With Shift With Talsi

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

By Shem Semblante

Talsi Tarot’s work has long centered on helping people recognize the subconscious patterns shaping their lives and shift them with greater awareness and intention. With Shift With Talsi, she is expanding that approach into a digital platform designed to help people turn insight into consistent, practical change.

If her tarot readings have helped clients and followers uncover limiting beliefs, emotional loops, and fixed internal narratives, Shift With Talsi is designed for the work that begins after that recognition. Through guided implementation, the platform offers structured tools and repeatable practices that help transform awareness into lasting identity change.

What distinguishes the platform is its emphasis on follow-through. In the manifestation space, people often understand what is holding them back, but struggle to create real change in the moments when those patterns resurface. Shift With Talsi was created to help close that gap, offering practical support for the internal work required to move, think, and respond differently in real time.

Shift With Talsi is built for the moment after awareness hits. Instead of leaving people with insight alone, the platform gives members practical tools to reset, interrupt limiting patterns, and respond differently in real time. Signature practices like the I AM Reset, Reconnect, The Switch, and the Spiral Stopper are designed to make manifestation feel less abstract and more like something people can actually work with in daily life.

This practical direction is a natural extension of Talsi’s wider body of work. She has built a distinct voice through her blend of tarot, energy reading, mindset work, and consciousness, offering an approach that encourages people not to remain passive in the face of what they are shown. Instead, her work has consistently emphasized self-awareness as a point of power, not simply to understand what is present, but to shift it.

That message has resonated with a growing audience. Talsi’s YouTube channel is now approaching 75,000 subscribers, while her TikTok platform is approaching 140,000 followers, a reflection of the reach she has built through her unique mix of spiritual insight and practical transformation. Alongside that public growth, she continues to work privately with high-profile clients, bringing the same depth of perspective to one-on-one sessions as she does to her broader digital community.

What makes Shift With Talsi especially significant is that it gives her audience a more direct way to engage with that work beyond the reading itself. Where tarot can illuminate a pattern, the platform is designed to help people change their relationship with it through repetition, awareness, and applied practice. In that sense, it offers something many people in the manifestation space are looking for: not just insight, but a way to embody it.

Although the platform launched only recently, the early response has already been encouraging. Members have described the experience as “life-changing” and “a game changer,” while others have shared that the tools have helped them create movement around goals they had previously struggled to manifest. That kind of feedback points to the deeper aim behind the platform: helping people create change that feels tangible, personal, and sustainable.

With Shift With Talsi, Talsi is not moving away from the work that built her audience. She is building on it. What began as a practice rooted in intuitive insight is evolving into a more structured framework for personal transformation, one designed to help people move from awareness into action, and from insight into identity.

Out Of Tyranny: A Journey To Freedom

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

By Fanyela Weinberg

“At the heart of this book is not only survival, it is about a miraculous journey to freedom.
The escape was not just a physical journey, but a triumph of hope over fear and strength over adversity”.

Most childhood memories fade around the edges.

A birthday party. A favorite toy. A school friend whose face becomes harder to remember with time.

One memory stayed with Fanyela for a different reason. At twelve years old, she decided to run away from home. The plan wasn’t particularly serious. A group of children convinced themselves it would be an adventure. They left with no real destination, no supplies, and no understanding of what they were doing. Before long, reality settled in. Fear replaced excitement. Eventually, she returned home.

The surprise wasn’t that she came back. The surprise was that nobody seemed to notice she had been gone.

That moment appears in Out of Tyranny: A Journey to Freedom, a memoir that follows “Fanyela’s life” from wartime Romania through decades of political upheaval, personal challenges, and eventually a completely different future. Yet the reason that the story stands out isn’t that it changes history. It’s because it feels painfully human.

A child wants attention. A child doesn’t get it. A child remembers.

That is the kind of detail that fills this memoir.

History sits in the background, but people remain at the center.

Fanyela was born during World War II. Some of her earliest memories involve bombs falling close enough that her father dug a shelter behind their home. For many people, those experiences would be the defining stories of childhood. In this memoir, they become only the beginning. The war ended, but another challenge soon took its place. Romania fell under Communist control, and everyday life slowly changed.

Freedom became smaller. Choices became fewer. Trust became complicated.

The effects showed up everywhere.

People learned to watch what they said. Families held certain conversations behind closed doors. Children grew up understanding that some opinions were safer than others. None of this happened overnight. That may be what makes the memoir interesting. The changes arrive gradually, the same way they often do in real life.

Still, the book rarely spends long discussing politicians or policies. Instead, it talks about things like cookies.

One afternoon, a young Fanyela is supposed to mail a letter. Along the way, another girl convinces her to spend the postage money on cookies instead. It seems like a great idea for about five minutes. Then comes the trip home, an angry mother, and a lesson she remembers decades later. The scene is funny, embarrassing, and surprisingly relatable. Almost everyone has made a decision that seemed brilliant right up until the consequences arrived.

Then there is Uncle Lica. Every family has that one relative everyone talks about years later.

The person who made children feel important. The person whose arrival instantly improved the mood in the room. For Fanyela, that person was Uncle Lica.

His kindness runs through the memoir like a thread. Sometimes he appears during difficult moments. Sometimes he appears during happy ones. Either way, his presence leaves a mark. When the memoir later describes his loss, the sadness feels genuine because readers already understand what he meant to the family.

The Romania described in these pages often feels worlds away from modern life.

People waited in endless lines for necessities. Ice could become a mission. Toilet paper shortages were normal. A phonograph could become the greatest birthday gift imaginable.

Reading those stories now feels strange, occasionally funny, and sometimes difficult to believe. Yet that was daily life for millions of people. The memoir never exaggerates those realities. It simply presents them as they were.

As the years pass, Fanyela grows older, and the world grows larger. Bucharest introduces new experiences, new ambitions, and new possibilities. Education becomes increasingly important. While political systems place limits on what people can do, personal determination keeps pushing against those limits. The future remains uncertain, but the desire to build something better never disappears.

Photo Courtesy: Fanyela Weinberg (Out Of Tyranny A Journey To Freedom)

Yet the story extends beyond daily survival under Communism. At it’s heart, is also the experience of Mike, Fanyela’s husband, the love of her life and to whom this memoir is dedicated. He endured four years of horrific abuse, as a political prisoner. His resilience combined with the family’s eventual escape from communist Romania, gives the book an even deeper emotional weight. What once seemed impossible became reality through courage, perseverance, and what Fanyela describes as a journey to freedom.

Perhaps that is what makes Out of Tyranny feel different from many historical memoirs.

It is not really a book about governments. It is a book about living.

About finding reasons to laugh when circumstances give every reason not to. About holding onto ambition when opportunities seem scarce.

About family members who shape a life without realizing it. And about a young girl who kept looking beyond the world she was born into.

The politics matter. The history matters. But the people matter more.

That is what stays behind after the final page.

YS6: Skincare as a Ritual of Confidence

NY Weekly Staff on July 31, 2026

By: Jaxon Lee

Founded by Yuliia Solokhina, YS6 is built on a simple belief: beauty begins long before you look in the mirror. It begins with the way you feel about yourself, your confidence, self-worth, and sense of possibility.

For YS6, skincare is more than a daily routine. It is a quiet ritual, a few intentional minutes to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and return to confidence, self-worth, and the freedom to want more.

YS6 transforms an everyday skincare routine into a moment worth remembering.

At the heart of the brand is Money Patches, a product that is impossible to ignore.

These reusable under-eye patches feature a patented dollar-bill design, blending skincare, luxury, and playful self-expression into one unforgettable ritual.

After all, nothing refreshes quite like money.

Money does not create confidence. It simply reminds you that you already have it.

For YS6, the dollar is not about wealth. It is about possibility; the freedom to choose, to create, and to dream bigger.

Photo Courtesy: Yevheniia Apifantseva

Picture a quiet morning. Your favorite serum. Chilled Money Patches waiting in the refrigerator. Ten uninterrupted minutes that belong only to you.

Sometimes, that’s all it takes to change the way the rest of the day feels.

Designed to be used again and again, the patches transform an everyday skincare step into a ritual you genuinely look forward to, refreshing, personal, and distinctly your own.

Photo Courtesy: Yevheniia Apifantseva

Every YS6 collection is released in limited quantities, reflecting the belief that true luxury comes from thoughtful design, exceptional quality, and exclusivity, not mass production.

One of the brand’s earliest milestones came when a limited-edition YS6 collection was selected as a private gift for a distinguished public figure.

While not part of a commercial collaboration or endorsement, the moment reflected the growing recognition of YS6 and demonstrated how an independent beauty brand could attract attention beyond the industry.

YS6 is a reminder that self-care is not about perfection. It is about showing up for yourself, every single day.

Because confidence is not something you wait for.

It is something you choose, every single day.

NYC Launches LIFT Tracker to Map 50,000 Affordable Homes Across City Owned Land

NY Weekly Staff 2 on July 31, 2026

New York City has released an interactive online tool that tracks the development of more than 50,000 planned affordable homes on publicly owned sites across all five boroughs, marking what city officials describe as the first comprehensive public inventory of the municipal housing pipeline. The Land Inventory Fast Track, or LIFT, Tracker maps over 100 city-owned parcels at various stages of development, from early-stage sites still seeking financing to projects approaching construction.

Key Takeaways

The LIFT Tracker maps 100+ city-owned sites across all five boroughs slated for affordable housing
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration commits to releasing RFPs for at least five new housing sites per year
The tracker is part of the Block by Block housing plan targeting 200,000 new affordable homes over the next decade
NYC’s recently adopted budget dedicates $22 billion to affordable housing over five years
Featured Bronx projects include 229 senior apartments on NYCHA land and a 40-unit homeownership development using a community land trust

What Does the LIFT Tracker Actually Show New Yorkers?

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg unveiled the LIFT Tracker on July 30, framing the tool as both a transparency measure and a signal that city-owned land across NYC is actively entering the housing pipeline rather than sitting dormant. The tracker consolidates projects at every stage of pre-development and construction onto a single ArcGIS-powered map, allowing residents to follow progress borough by borough.

The Mamdani administration has pledged to issue requests for proposals for at least five new city-owned housing sites per year, a pace the city says will sustain a steady flow of new projects entering the pipeline. The LIFT Tracker itself will be updated as projects advance and new parcels are identified, according to the city’s housing office.

Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg noted that the administration has already taken tangible steps on more than a dozen projects on public land, which the city estimates will produce over 5,000 new homes. Those projects span conversions of underused municipal properties, co-locations with public libraries, and developments on NYCHA campuses that aim to house current public housing residents alongside new affordable units.

How Does the Tracker Fit Into the Broader NYC Housing Strategy?

The LIFT Tracker is one component of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Block by Block housing plan, a decade-long framework that sets a target of 200,000 new affordable homes built and another 200,000 preserved. The plan also includes a $5.6 billion capital investment in NYCHA over five years, which the city describes as the largest such commitment to public housing in recent memory. NYC’s recently adopted budget allocates a historic $22 billion toward affordable housing over the next five years, with close to $5 billion in capital funding earmarked for new construction within the next two years alone.

To accelerate the timeline, the Mamdani administration has introduced several bureaucratic reforms since taking office. The Expedited Land Use Review Procedure, or ELURP, completed its first cycle earlier in 2026, cutting pre-development review periods by as much as two years. A companion program, the Neighborhood Builders Fast Track, launched in March 2026 with three initial sites in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, and St. Albans, Queens. Those three sites are expected to deliver up to 300 affordable homes, including approximately 100 homeownership units.

The administration has also rolled out its Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development (SPEED) reforms and advocated in Albany for changes to the state’s environmental review process, both aimed at reducing the lag between site identification and construction.

What Projects Are Already Moving Forward on the Ground?

The LIFT Tracker highlights several developments that have progressed beyond the planning stage. In the Bronx, the Sol on Park project on NYCHA’s Morris Houses campus closed financing in July 2026 and is expected to produce 229 affordable senior apartments. Eighty of those units will be reserved for seniors currently living at Morris Houses, a structure the administration says reflects its goal of ensuring that longtime NYCHA residents directly benefit from new investment on public housing land.

A second Bronx development near Claremont Houses is planned to deliver 40 affordable homeownership units through a community land trust model. Under that structure, the trust retains ownership of the underlying land, which allows individual buyers to build limited equity while keeping the homes affordable for future purchasers. The model is designed to create a sustainable cycle of affordability rather than a one-time subsidy.

Across the rest of the boroughs, the Mamdani administration has selected a development team to build The Aurea, approximately 131 affordable homes on the site of a former NYPD parking lot in the East Village. In Hunters Point, Queens, the city announced the selection of a team to develop The Orion, a project that includes nearly 1,000 new homes and community amenities on a long-vacant lot. Brooklyn’s New Utrecht Library is also slated for redevelopment, combining 100% affordable housing with a new library facility.

What Are the Challenges Ahead for the LIFT Pipeline?

The 50,000-home figure encompasses projects at widely varying stages of readiness. Some sites on the LIFT Tracker have been formally announced and are moving toward financing, while others are earlier in the pipeline and may face years of planning, environmental review, and community engagement before shovels reach the ground. The distinction between a mapped site and a completed building is significant, and the administration has acknowledged that the tracker will require ongoing updates as the realities of development timelines unfold.

NYC’s housing agencies are involved at multiple levels. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Housing Development Corporation, NYCHA, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation each play a role in advancing different projects within the LIFT portfolio. HPD Commissioner Dina Levy described the tracker as the city’s first comprehensive land inventory tool for housing, a characterization that underscores both the ambition and the coordination required to move this volume of projects forward simultaneously.

For a city where the median rent continues to climb and the affordable housing waitlist stretches into the hundreds of thousands, the LIFT Tracker represents an attempt to make the public land pipeline visible and accountable. Whether the pace of construction can match the scale of the mapped ambition will depend on sustained funding, streamlined approvals, and the ability to navigate the complex layering of city, state, and federal financing that affordable housing development in New York City demands.

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Create a Calm Space at Home

Take Regular Breaks Outside

Stay Active with Simple Exercise

Eat Well and Rest Enough

Stay Connected with Others

Practical Ways To Manage Anxiety

Why kids need different eyewear than adults

Lens color matters more than brand

Fit, grip, and the bounce problem

What about prescription wearers

Durability and the dugout test

A few practical buying notes

A Life Shaped by Stories, Education, and the Outdoors

Building a Legacy Through Books

The Powerful Bond Between Humans and Dogs

Writing Beyond Books

Leadership in the Beagle Community

Literary Influences and Inspiration

A Message for Readers

Looking Ahead

Preparing Leaders for an AI Economy

Beyond Traditional Higher Education

Human Influence in an Artificial Intelligence World

Looking Beyond the Classroom

A New Definition of Educational Success

Key Takeaways

What Does the LIFT Tracker Actually Show New Yorkers?

How Does the Tracker Fit Into the Broader NYC Housing Strategy?

What Projects Are Already Moving Forward on the Ground?

What Are the Challenges Ahead for the LIFT Pipeline?

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