Afrika’s Struggle Congratulates Two Former Students and Basketball Superstars

June 25, 2025 - Announcements

I want to congratulate two former students who excelled both in the classroom and on the basketball court.

The first is Shamar Chester (wearing the Queens College Basketball T-shirt). Mr. Chester graduated this past May, double majoring in Corporate Finance and Economics.

The EuroLeague Basketball (i.e., Greece) signed him to a “big” contract. The EuroLeague 2024-2025 season kicks off on October 17, 2024, with the regular season concluding on April 11, 2025.

The second is Kevin Jamieson (wearing the red T-shirt). Mr. Jamieson is an international student (alumnus of Jamaica College) from Jamaica, West Indies. 

He is transferring to a university in New Mexico.

The university offered him a full scholarship, an apartment, and a monthly stipend. He will be a tremendous loss to QC.

Both students are talented basketball superstars who starred in both the QC basketball program and the classroom.

Afrika’s Struggle’s Diary: Saturday 7, 2025

June 8, 2025 - Events

Today, I worked out for four hours (including two group classes back-to-back and the steam room and sauna) at a Manhattan gym. (Summer is around the corner.)

At the gym, a gym member purchased an audio copy of my book: Afrika’s Struggle: His Experiential Journey.

Afterward, I picked up my watch after a month of separation. Every three and a half years, TAG Heuer recommends that you send your watch in for a full servicing.

The pictures below capture my day:

Afrika’s Struggle Meets Restaurant Moguls amidst Birthday Celebrations

May 26, 2025 - Events

Over the Memorial weekend, amidst birthday celebrations, I met two restaurant moguls.

The first is Marva Layne, founder of Negril Village. She owns three other restaurants and is working on a new one.

Negril Village is the best Jamaican restaurant in Manhattan.

The second is Ai Kumar, the owner of 39 fine-dining restaurants—yes, 39! He is going to open a new restaurant in Times Square this summer.

Mr. Kumar is the father of a former student who took two of my classes. My former student plays a pivotal role in his father’s restaurant empire.

Today, Mr. Kumar gave the birthday celebrants and me a tour (with pomp and circumstance) of Jade Eatery and Lounge, a historic Asian fusion restaurant in Forest Hills.

The ambiance, the service, and the food are top-notch in both Negril Village and Jade.

The organic ginger tea with organic agave is a must-try at Negril Village!

I highly recommend the special salmon dish at Jade.

 

 

Afrika’s Struggle Welcomes Christian Figorito, Senior Director, Certificate in Quantitative Finance at FitchLearning

April 25, 2025 - Events

First, I would like to thank Senior Director Laura Abrams and Director Zavi Gunn for introducing me to Queens College Alumnus Christian Figorito.

Second, I apologize to the 25 students who did not participate in the photo op (see photo) because the photographer took the picture during the break. During the break after the Q&A session, 25 students departed without knowing about the photo op.

I welcomed Christian Figorito, Senior Director of the Certificate in Quantitative Finance at FitchLearning, to an overcrowded classroom with approximately 50 students.

The 50 students consisted of regular students, students from other sections, former students, friends of regular students, and a student from another CUNY college visiting my class.

I am honored to have an esteemed alumnus, who oversees his company’s divisions (Certificate in Quantitative Finance) in NY, London, and Singapore, to speak to my class.

His IQ and EQ were on fire – on full display during his entertaining and informative presentation. He put on a show for the class.

Mr. Figorito presented on Quantitative Finance Careers.

Christian Figorito (glasses) stands to my left in the picture. (Twenty-five other students are missing from this picture.)