Subject: Weekly 3E's Recap
From: Michael A. Blake <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2016 22:28:20 +0000
List-Id: 455bc6c87b952f7efebdc076emc list <455bc6c87b952f7efebdc076e.340229.list-id.mcsv.net>

Friends,

When elected to office, we pledged to do transformative work that would help achieve the 3 Es of Economic Development, Education and Equality for all. We want to provide you with an update on last week's recent events and efforts as well as thank you immensely for continuously supporting us in changing the outcomes of our constituents in the 79th Assembly District. It is only through collective efforts that we reach our shared goals. Let's keep moving forward together as we truly are #BuildingABetterBronx

Economic Development & Entrepreneurship

Shark Tank comes to The Bronx!

Left: Panel discussion held after Shark Tank Casting Call. Right: Assemblymember Michael Blake open panel discussion after Shark Tank event

This past week, the Office of Assemblymember Michael Blake hosted the first-ever Shark Tank casting call held for entrepreneurs in The Bronx! Over 100 entrepreneurs attended and pitched the Shark Tank Casting Crew on business ideas and enterprises. In addition, entrepreneurs were able to take advantage of pitch prep sessions facilitated by Values Partnerships. Following the event, we hosted a panel about common problems identified by entrepreneurs throughout the Shark Tank tour and solutions to these problems. In particular, panelists discussed how diverse entrepreneurs connect to investors and how entities like Shark Tank can be of assistance.

The Bronx Shark Tank Casting Call Partners included: Values Partnerships, SoBro, WEEN, BOEDC, Silicon Harlem, New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, SEBNC, WE NYC, Bronx Works, Hostos Community College, NYC EDC, Majora Carter Group, I Don't Do Clubs and the NYC Mayor's Office of Tech + Innovation.

Want to win $50k in Start Up Capital?

Assemblymember Michael Blake greets entrepreneurs attending the American Entrepreneurship Award training event

The Office of Assemblymember Michael Blake has partnered with The Libra Group to provide Bronx entrepreneurs with up to fifty thousand dollars in start up capital. This award, a total of five hundred thousand dollars over the next 10 years, will be awarded annually to a local entrepreneur and help keep our talent in The Bronx. The American Entrepreneurship Award (AEA) is an entrepreneurship competition for promising early-stage businesses in The Bronx, New York looking to get their business ideas off the ground. The application submission period for the AEA is currently open and closes on April, 29, 2016. During the application submission period, interested individuals and teams can register by submitting an e-application via the AEA website (http://www.americanaward.com/) . For more information on the AEA please visit www.americanaward.com.
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Education

Founder of Hopey's Heart Foundation and WNBA player, Tina Charles, hosts 3rd Annual Hopey's Day at Community School 55 in The 79th Assembly District in The Bronx

Assemblymember Michael Blake, WNBA player and Founder of Hopey's Heart Foundation Tina Charles and Principal Luis Torres at school assembly celebrating 3rd Annual Hopey's Day

Founder of Hopey's Heart Foundation and WNBA Player Tina Charles addresses students at 3rd Annual Hopey's Day

Assemblymember Michael Blake had the honor of partnering with the Hopey’s Heart Foundation and Safe Kids Worldwide’s 3rd Annual Hopey’s Day Celebration, to promote heart health, sports safety and injury prevention education at Community School 55 - Benjamin Franklin Elementary in the South Bronx.

Together with founder and chair of the Hopey’s Heart Foundation/WNBA-New York Liberty star Tina Charles as well as Safe Kids Worldwide Programs Director Tareka Wheeler, Assemblymember Blake engaged fourth and fifth graders during an interactive Sports Safety Clinic designed to educate students on concussion prevention, hydration, and emergency response practices. In addition to participating in the Sports Safety Clinic, students were educated on Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr.’s, #Not62 Campaign to improve health outcome and access to quality healthcare, and to encourage positive health habits for residents of the Bronx.

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Equality For All

Assemblymember Michael Blake Delivers Keynote Address at the 75th Anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Gala
Assemblymember Michael Blake, four Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen (DOTA) and members of the Claude B. Govan Chapter

This past weekend, Assemblymember Michael Blake joined four Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen (DOTA) and several heritage members of the Claude B. Govan Chapter for a scholarship event in support of high school seniors interested in pursuing careers in aviation and continuing the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. The event was held at the Bruno Walter Auditorium Lincoln Center.

As a member of the committee on Veterans Affairs, Assemblymember Blake was honored to deliver the keynote address. There are more than 24,000 veterans living in Bronx County. Assemblymember Blake has sponsored and passed legislation that helps veterans gain academic credit at SUNY and CUNY colleges and created a program that establishes an alternative resolution program for service members and veterans accused of certain felonies. Beyond legislative action, our office has held annual Veterans Day events to honor veterans in the 79th assembly district, especially veterans of color whose accomplishments too often go unrecognized.

We live in a better world because of the Tuskegee airmen. The scholarship recipients are well on their way to impacting the world following the example that the Tuskegee Airmen set many years ago. They are working towards greatness and the rest of us can only try to emulate the passion, dedication, and bold thinking that the scholarship recipients, and the Tuskegee Airmen demonstrated.

Drug Reform Policy Mural Unveiling at Claremont Community Center

Muralist and fellow Bronxite Andre Trenier standing in front of the mural created for #StopTheHarm UNGASS special session

The United Nations General Assembly held a special session on The World Drug Problem April 19-21, 2016. On April 16th, The Office of Assemblymember Michael Blake partnered up with the Open Society Foundation, the Office of Michael Skolnik to unveil a powerful mural that calls for the attention of the critical need for Drug Policy reform in our communities. By uplifting the people who are directly affected by the war on drugs and by speaking up and showing their support on this movement for policy change, the OSF is using art and experiential events to showcase that it is time for drug policy reform and that the damage caused by the drug war is evident across the world. If you would like to see the mural, it is located on the back wall of the Claremont Neighborhood Center by East 169th Street and Washington Avenue next to the basketball courts.
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Elections Recap

The key to achieving our 3 E's of Education, Economic Development and Equality for All is empowering and electing the right champions to serve our communities. This past week, our volunteer team was involved in three important races, all of which were key to reaching our goal of equality for all Bronxites and New Yorkers.

Volunteers of Team Blake were  out in full force. Thanks to all of our volunteers who made phone calls, knocked on doors and encouraged people to vote on election day.

Yuh-Line Niou for State Assembly

Team Blake volunteer Ushaia Kappen getting out the vote for Yuh-Line Niou on election day

Yuh-line Niou, a true progressive and immigrant rights activist, was running to fill the vacant seat in Manhattan’s 65th Assembly District.  She has proven herself as a strong voice for low-income and vulnerable communities through her work in advocacy and as Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Ron Kim.  While Yuh-Line did not secure a victory this time, we remain committed to ensure our representatives authentically reflect the diversity of our districts and will continue working with candidates like Yuh-Line.

Todd Kaminsky for State Senate

Assemblymember Michael Blake and Team Blake volunteers Sidiki Donzo and Dion Powell phone banking for Todd Kaminsky

Left: District Leader John Tucker and Britney Whaley doing GOTV Todd Kaminsky. Right: Bronx Young Democrats President Eric Henry with Jonathan Kelly and John Fitzsimmons after canvassing for Todd Kaminsky

Todd Kaminsky wins State Senate seat by 1% breaking the 31-31 senate tie and giving Democrats a one seat advantage! Team Blake volunteers hosted phone banks, canvassed, and encouraged communities of color to GOTV leading up to election day. We are proud to have worked with so many allies and friends to help secure this victory for Todd and the movement!

There was a historic turnout of minority voters, which Nassau counties' Republican Party Chairman Joseph Mondello said was fueled in part by former president Bill Clinton’s local appearance where he endorsed Kaminsky and a robocall from President Barack Obama.

Hillary Clinton for President

Assemblymember Michael Blake getting out the vote for Hillary Clinton

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton secures a big win in The Bronx and New York! Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo led The Bronx delegation in robust outreach and voter contact for Hillary for America, organized several phone banks and canvass days, and hosted a Bronx Block Party and Co-Op city organizing party. Of the five boroughs, The Bronx delivered Hillary Clinton's largest margin of victory with 70% of the overall votes. Team Blake volunteers are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with other Bronxites who support the presidential candidate with the most experience and a plan to achieve goals that will continue to move our country forward.

P.S. - Assemblymember Michael Blake recently served as a surrogate for Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on "The Great Debate" hosted by City & State. See full video here (http://www.viddler.com/v/4ea85652)
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THANK YOU for your continued support. We will continue to work hard and deliver on our promises to the community and New York. We hope you will continue to engage us on the issues, volunteer and take advantage of opportunities available. Together, we are truly #BuildingABetterBronx. Let's keep rocking!

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