New Yorkers vie for $200K grants to build NYC's future
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) — From education, healthcare, mental wellness, and the arts, two dozen New Yorkers are vying for $200,000 in grants to build New York City's future.
Barry Cooper, one of the finalists, is recognized as a first responder in creating healing spaces and providing mental health programs for young men of color in his neighborhood.
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Cooper grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant. With two sisters, Cooper says his mom gave him the nickname 'the protector.' Now he wants to help his community.
Cooper is the executive and founder of The B.R.O. Experience Foundation, an organization that creates authentic and connected spaces for young men in Bed Stuy. Cooper also wrote a book called the Provider Guide for co-parenting dads, available on Amazon. Cooper says it's the perfect gift for Father's Day.
After five years of trying, Cooper is one of 14 finalists chosen out of thousands and is now in the running to receive the David Prize, supported by the Walentas Foundation.
Erika Augustine is the founding executive director of the David Prize. It awards five New Yorkers with $200,000 each year, no strings attached.
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Right now, Augustine's team is working with all of the finalists to prepare for a final interview. Winners will be announced in September.
Meanwhile, Copper is releasing a children's book in July, and says whether he's a winner or not, he says process has changed his life.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Today is Juneteenth: Is there mail? Are banks closed? What to know about federal holiday
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New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
Heroic dad dies on Father's Day trying to save his daughters from drowning at Florida beach: officials
A Father's Day tragedy unfolded in Florida when a dad died while rushing into the ocean to save his two young daughters who were on the verge of drowning themselves, according to police and reports. Antwon Wilson, 33, was celebrating at the beach near the B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale at around 7:20 p.m. Sunday when he saw his kids in distress and raced into the water to rescue them, according to police and reports. 3 Antwon Wilson, 33, died in valiant attempt to save his drowning daughters at a Florida beach. Family Photo Advertisement 'The father was nearby and able to make it to her and help keep her afloat before he went under,' FLFR Battalion Chief Danny Moran told WSVN. Lifeguards had just closed their towers twenty minutes before but were nearby and rushed back. 'They were first on scene, they were able to turn their trucks around and be the first responders from our fire rescue department,' Moran told WSVN. Advertisement A stranger heard the commotion and jumped into action, Moran said. 'He jumped into the ocean to try and help. He became overwhelmed, went underwater and was able to self-rescue,' said Moran. 3 Antwon Wilson, 33, was celebrating Father Day at the beach when he raced into the ocean to save his daughters. Family Photo Eslam Saad, the good Samaritan on vacation from Ohio, told WSVN that he didn't hesitate when he heard the cries for help. Advertisement 'I didn't think about anything. I didn't even tell my wife I'm going in the water again. I just jumped into the water,' Saad told WSVN. Saad struggled desperately in the rough conditions, swallowing gulps of water trying to stay afloat. He told local outlets that he barely was able to get out of the ocean himself. 'I was able to hear my youngest girl crying, my wife,' said Saad. Saad said once he finally reached one of Wilson's daughters that he encouraged her to keep calm, according to WSVN. Advertisement 'When I got close to her, I told her, 'Please, I know you are in panic. Please, do not do anything crazy, I will try my best to get you out,' he said. Saad told the girl to stand on his shoulder and leap toward help, according to WTVJ. 'I think I did my best to get her closer to the shore, and after that, she stood on my shoulder and jumped toward the beach outside,' he told WTVJ. 'I was drowning also. I think it was a miracle I am safe right now.' 3 Rescue workers were able to save a young girl and a good Samaritan from the turbulent ocean, but not Antwon Wilson, 33, who died trying to help his daughters. WESH2 Ocean Rescue lieutenants were able to take her to safety, according to reports. But Wilson wasn't found for several minutes, officials told local outlets. When rescue workers finally found him they rushed him to shore and gave him CPR. The father, one of the daughters and Saad were taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where Wilson was pronounced dead. Saad was released and the girl was 'awake and responsive,' according to WFLA. Advertisement Saad, who told WTVJ that he has a daughter around the same age as Wilson, wished he could have done more. 'Once I got into the hospital and they made sure I'm OK,' Saad told local outlets. 'I was trying to ask about them, they told me her dad was already gone.'
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Superfly peregrine falcon dads celebrate Father's Day atop NYC bridges
These are some talon-ted dads. Two superfly peregrine falcons were rightly perched on a pedestal this past Father's Day for fiercely protecting their newborn hatchings in their sky-high nests above the Hudson River and Kill Van Kull. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey gave a special shoutout Sunday to the new dads, who call the George Washington and the Bayonne bridges home. Advertisement 5 A fearless peregrine falcon father sits atop the George Washington Bridge. PANYNJ 'Both falcon fathers have kept watch, brought food, and protected their growing families from the heights of two of the region's most iconic bridges,' the agency crowed. The stellar fathers have each been faithfully attached to their feathery tots, who hatched hundreds of feet in the sky in the spring. Advertisement There are five total peregrine falcon chicks — technically known as eyasses — between the two dads: four males and one female. 5 Five falcon chicks were born this spring in nesting towers on the George Washington and Bayonne bridges. PANYNJ The babies have not yet been named but were recently banded, which helps conservationists track the birds, gathering data on their health and the condition of the overall population. The families have been living in nesting towers atop the bridges, which are made to mimic the cliffside habitats the endangered birds used to rely on. Advertisement Another trio of babies was born 693 feet above the Hudson on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in May. The spans connect the city to New Jersey. 5 The nesting towers are made to mimic the seaside cliffs that peregrine falcons used to rely on. PANYNJ 5 The babies were recently banded so that conservationists can track them, gathering data on their health and the condition of the overall population. PANYNJ 5 There are only an estimated 3,000 peregrine falcones across North America. PANYNJ Advertisement All of the bird babies' mommas have been busy, too — as both parents share the hunting and feeding responsibilities. The females spend the last month keeping the eggs warm before they hatch. There are only an estimated 3,000 peregrine falcons across North America, though populations have been steadily growing over the past decade, according to the National Parks Service. 'The hatchings mark another success in the long-standing effort to protect peregrine falcons in New York, where they remain listed as endangered,' the Port Authority said. The newborns will stay with their parents in their skyscraper homes for about six weeks before they begin developing their own flying and hunting skills.
