News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

FREDERICK “Fred the Godson” THOMAS AVENUE Fred was a son of the Bronx who’s music took to the airwaves and sent ripples across the hip hop community. COVID-19 took the life of so many, including Fred.  Council Member Salamanca is joined by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr, Fat Joe, Jim Jones, Mysonne the General, family, friends and hundreds from across the Bronx and NYC to celebrate the life, legacy and pay homage to Fred by renaming the intersection of Kelly Street & Leggett Avenue to read: Frederick “Fred the Godson” Thomas Avenue.

VIBE: Fat Joe, Jim Jones and Bronx Community Celebrate Fred The Godson's Street Naming On His Birthday   Today (Feb. 22), the great MC, Fred The Godson, was honored posthumously with a street naming by his Bronx community and hip-hop industry comrades. Among the dozens of those that showed love to the rapper that passed away in April 2020 due to COVID-19 were BX native Fat Joe and Harlem repper Jim Jones. The street's South Bronx location of Leggett avenue and Kelly street will now also be called Fredrick "Fred The Godson" Thomas Way. While snow fell heavily, the crowd of supporters and the organizers stood strong and watched as the sign was unveiled to cheers of joy. The Fred The Godson Foundation worked hard to make this day happen on what would have been Fred's 36th birthday. "Shortly after Fred’s passing, the Fred The Godson Foundation was created to carry on his legacy for his children and family, and the commitment to his dreams for the Bronx," says the foundation's mission statement. "The mission is to inspire, empower and nourish individuals, children and families in underserved communities, starting with Fred’s birthplace. The foundation will foster community unity through the common pursuit of wellness, prosperity, and opportunity." Known for having one of the most celebrated flows that included a barrage of double entendres and metaphors that were rarely matched, Fred was a respected MC with enormous skills that were able to get him featured on the famed 2011 XXL 'Freshman' class magazine cover along with Meek Mill, Mac Miller (RIP) and Kendrick Lamar. Jim Jones had some heartfelt words for the one named 'Gordo' at the ceremony, "Fred inspired me to do this music, a lot all over again. There was a time I really didn't want to do no music...and Fred would say, 'Nah, you gotta get in that booth Capo.'" The Thomas family announced thank you's and love to Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr. of District 17 in the South Bronx, Bronx Borough President Ruban Diaz, NYPD's 41st Precinct, and the Bronx community for helping make the Frederick “Fred the Godson” Thomas Way street co-naming possible.

REPRESENTATION MATTERS As we face the biggest health pandemic of our time, it is crucial that the leadership of our health institutions are reflective of the communities they serve. Council Member Salamanca joins Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr and colleagues in government to question the selection process of a historically latino institution in the Bronx, Lincoln Hospital.

WELCOME CHANCELLOR MEISHA ROSS-PORTER  Statement from Council Member Salamanca on the appointment of Meisha Ross-Porter to Chancellor for the Department of Education: “As a graduate of the NYC Public School system, and as the first African-American Woman Chancellor appointed from within the DOE, Meisha has an inherent understanding of the issues facing out students and families. I have witness the excellent job she has done first hand and can’t think of a better person to lead our public schools. Congratulations Chancellor Ross-Porter!”