Diamonds in the South Bronx

Austin Tang — Thu, 29 May 2025 19:37:34 +0000

Listen to “Diamonds in the South Bronx” on Spreaker.

By: Paul Sladkus
Located in the Crotona Park section in the South Bronx sits a hidden gem in
Bronx Prep High School, a representative of the Democracy Prep charter system.
On a rainy April evening the clouds parted and the sun shined for a group of
students who were given the opportunity to be front and center for a
performance of Romeo & Juliet at the Metropolitan Opera as well as we’re given
an opportunity to meet with members of the MET team for a “behind the scenes”
adventure within the arts.
School leadership led by Principal, Cassius Gil has set Bronx Prep apart from the
rest of the D.O.E. through offering opportunities that many NYC students are not
afforded. ““I am very very happy to be able to send kids to an incredible
experience at the Metropolitan Opera and be able to watch Romeo &
Juliet. Teachers jumped at it, kids jumped at the chance”. Gil went on to say, “one
child, when she came back, told me at the end of it that she stood up and cried”.
MET representative, Jess Medoff, discussed career opportunities and answered
questions to an audience of bright-eyed high schoolers from Bronx Prep, thrilled
at having seen a performance that they all proclaimed exceeded their wildest
expectations.
BP senior, Shenoa Urbaez Romero states, “Going to the Met has been one of the
best experiences I have had all year, I was able to explore an artistic environment
that I had dreamed of visiting”.
By all accounts, this event came to pass through a leader who quietly works with
these students on a regular basis as a guest teacher in addition to his regular job
as the Chief Financial Officer of the international investment platform, Alpha
Innovations. Philanthropist and champion for kids / for the arts, Gene Fisch, Jr.,
when asked of his motivation to orchestrate this endeavor stated that, “We grow
through being exposed to opportunities and kids just need that chance, the
chance to fall in love with music, with set design, with lighting. It is one thing to
read Romeo & Juliet, now let us immerse them into the experience! Have them
close their eyes and let the words permeate throughout their bodies! Bam! You
fall in love! Let’s show kids a world of awesomeness that transcends the
neighborhood”.
Democracy Prep’s system includes twelve schools across Harlem and the Bronx in
NYC as well as campuses in Nevada and Texas.
While interviewing the students we saw that most had never seen a performance
of this nature, not because they would not want to, the opportunity had just not
been afforded to them. Society and the educational system typically fall short
when including all its young people the opportunity to experience
possibilities. Such a substantial portion of NYC’s students struggle in the core
areas of education which becomes a tremendous obstacle to overcome. A recent
article by Julian Shen-Berro in Chalkbeat stated that “Roughly 50% proficient on
reading, math exams, data shows”. “Though 51.7% of the city’s third through
eighth grade students were considered on grade level based on their reading
exam scores, and 49.9% were on grade level for math, student performances
diverged across grades. Eighth grade students, for example, fared worse on math
exams — with just 42.3% achieving proficiency, compared to 55% of third
graders.”
It is through the efforts of institutions such as Bronx Prep and leaders such as
Cassius Gil and Gene Fisch, Jr. that can help improve upon these results and
overcome the deficiencies within the system.
Gene Fisch, Jr. went on to say, “kids learn from what they hear and sometimes
make pre-judgements based on how people look or what culture they come
from. Maybe if we educate children to judge people by their actions towards
them versus what they are told to believe the heritages represent, society will be
the better for it and we can eliminate a small portion of hate in the world.”
Drop the mic.
Kudos to Gene Fisch Jr, and the entire community of Democracy Prep. All are
diamonds in the South Bronx

#diamondsouthbronx #genefischjr #genefisch #paulsladkus

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Avadora Mimouni’s Collection: An Unforgettable Gem!

Austin Tang — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:57:42 +0000

Listen to “Avadora Mimouni’s Collection: An Unforgettable Gem!” on Spreaker.

Click on Image to Enlarge…

Models include Rita Cosby, Robbie Canner, Diana Sorkin, Isabel Lopez, Lorraine Silvetz, Gigi Nunez, ReBecca Ricks, Alyssa Casa, Sara Johnson Kaplan, Yasmeen Gumbs-Breakenridge, Meenal Manikandan, Donna Sousa, Cherie Corso, Flora Pllumaj, Paulina Apice, Dr. Elisa English, Sonia Texeira Couto, Kayla Kotsch, Paris Zelyakovsky and Cory Orosz Photo Credit: Jeff Smith

Avadora Mimouni Collection was featured at Prestige Models NYFW show 2022. Model and Designer, Avadora Mimouni, is a gem, as is her line of “wearable art” luxury bags adorned with semi-precious stones and upcycled materials. They are becoming increasingly popular among women who want to look and feel like the gems they are. Inspired designer and model, Avadora Mimouni was born in the Azores archipelago of Portugal. Avadora’s creative ways started in her youth. She expressed herself through theater and modeling in fashion boutiques. She moved to Manhattan in 1994. She soon pursued modeling and graced the covers of magazines, walked prestigious runways, and appeared in acting roles. Her latest role is as an inspired designer, helping make the world and its inhabitants more beautiful.

Lorraine Silvetz, Rita Cosby, Rebecca Ricks

Photo Credit: Jeff Smith

Donna Sousa, Yasmeen Gumbs-Breakenridge, Sonia Teixeira Couto
Photo Credit: Jeff Smith

In 2017, Avadora attended an event wearing a one-of-a-kind purse she created and was surprised by the immense adulation. She was immediately inspired to launch her Avadora Mimouni Collection that same year. Her collection received dramatic admiration from women of all ages. Her startling and gorgeous luxury bags are “wearable works of art,” making those who carry them look and feel more beautiful.

Rita Cosby ReBecca Ricks Meenal Manikandan
Photo credit: Dez Santana Photo credit: Jeff Smith Photo credit: Dez Santana

Avadora Mimouni Collection inspired many former models from the 90’s, 2000’s to return to the runway, during NY Fashion Week 2019, 2020, and 2022, to strut their stuff for the camera while making a difference in the world. Her luxury “wearable art” bags inspired the models to not only look their best but to promote causes, far and wide, through their inspired “fashion runway advocacy”. Several of the models who appear in Avadora’s NYFW shows became active in philanthropy after their modeling careers.

Sara Johnson Kaplan Jennifer Harrison Isabel Lopez
Photo credit: Getty Images

Not only do these models know how to talk the talk, but they also walk the walk on the runway: Proof that a woman can “strut her stuff,” make a difference in the world and be fabulous at any age! The world needs a message that celebrates timeless beauty; it is more than skin deep and does not end at age 30!

Lorraine Silvetz Lorraine Silvetz & Rita Cosby
Photo credit: Jeff Smith

Several of Avadora Mimouni collection’s models are today’s entrepreneurs, TV anchors, therapists, doctors, actresses, executive directors of foundations among other notable accomplishments. One of the star models, is 3 Time Emmy Award Winning Anchor and NY Times Best Selling Author, Rita Cosby. One need only look at her biography to not only see her incomparable list of accomplishments but all her long list of advocacy and support for a multitude of great causes. Rita is spokesperson for another Avadora Mimouni model, Lorraine Silvetz, MSW, foundation,Global Stress Initiative treating veterans, domestic violence and human trafficking survivors with PTSD. Lorraine has served as the face of Avadora Mimouni’s Collection for 2021-2022. All of the mature models (age 35 and up) have either founded, currently support, or lend their personalities to foundations that work to help those in need.

Diana Sorkin Cory Orosz Cherie Corso
Photo credits: Getty Images

After close to two years of being unable to attend events due to the pandemic, everyone is ready to get out and be seen supporting good works. And, they’ll want to do it in style! No woman will want to be without their AVADORA MIMOUNI luxury handbag as they enter the world stage yet again. The Imperial Collection will bring the wearer back to the old-world glamour and beauty of classic cinema sirens like Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, and Ava Gardner.

Robbie Canner ReBecca Ricks & Avadora Mimouni Flora Plumaj
Photo credit: Getty Images Photo credit: Jeff Smith Photo Credit: Getty Images

All women agree that you cannot wear an Avadora Mimouni bag without making a statement, being asked where you got it, who designed it since they steal the show wherever you go. They are beyond unique and beautiful, and each one is one of a kind, just like the woman who wears them.

Elisa English and Avadora Mimouni Flora Pllumaj & Lorraine Silvetz Cindy Marinangel, Avadora Mimouni, Errol Rappaport
Photo credit: Jeff Smith

The designer and acclaimed model, Avadora Mimouni, illustrates that beauty is timeless, and her gorgeous bags symbolize each woman as a precious gem. Her luxury bags adorned with semi-precious stones remind the wearer of the luxury purse that they genuinely are. And, let’s face it, the more we feel like precious gems, the more we act that way, and so the world becomes a better and more beautiful place – one gem at a time.

Back row: Elisa English, Isabel Lopez, Flora Pllumaj, Robbie Canner, Jennifer Harrison, Cory Orosz, two guest models, Allysa Casa, Diana Sorkin, Cherie Corso and Paulina Apice
Front row: Gigi Nunez, Lorraine Silvetz, guest model, Rebecca Ricks, Sara Johnson Kaplan, Sonia Teixeira Couto Front: The divine designer, Avadora Mimouni

#avadoramimouni #avadoramimounicollection #ritacosby #rebricks3 #coryorosz #isabeloriginal #jenniferdevin111 #pauliapice2914 #sarieny1 #prestigetopmodelnyc #errolrappaport #gigi_nunez #flogplu #robbiecanner @isabeloriginal @originallivingmagazine #alyssacasa #kayla_kotsch #cheriecorso #mylifeyasmeen #meensmanik #makeoverartistry #reflectionsnyc #soniateixeiracouto #paris.zelyakovsky #dezsantanaphoto

Article written by Lorraine Silvetz, MSW

The post Avadora Mimouni’s Collection: An Unforgettable Gem! appeared first on Good News!.

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Diamonds in the South Bronx

Avadora Mimouni’s Collection: An Unforgettable Gem!