VOLUME 2 / ISSUE 1 - THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
COMPLIMENTARY
Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas
AUGUST 2018
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
BLACK WESTCHESTER
DAMON K. JONES AND AJ WOODSON
THE MEN BEHIND BLACK WESTCHESTER FEATURES
JOE SPIEZIO STRIPPED OF COUNTY GARBAGE CONTRACT
BY AJ WOODSON
PAGE 6
CELEBRATING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEWSPAPER, THE FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM & FOUR YEARS OF REAL TALK ON PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS RADIO
BY LORRAINE LOPEZ
LATINO EMPOWERMENT SPOTLIGHT
AMBER RIVERA BY LORRAINE LOPEZ PAGE 20
MLK’S DREAM...
BY DAMON K. JONES PAGE 23
PAGE 21
SINGLE MOM CHRONICLES: MONEY MATTERS - 4 WAYS TO RAISE A FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CHILD BY YASMIN HURSTON PAGE 24
LEBRON JAMES OPENS PUBLIC SCHOOL IN AKRON FOR AT-RISK KIDS PAGE 9
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2 BLACK WESTCHESTER
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
AUGUST 2018
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AUGUST 2018
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BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE.qxp_Layout 1 7/20/18 10:11 AM Page 1
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4 BLACK WESTCHESTER
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AUGUST 2018
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BLACK WESTCHESTER 5
FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK Founded in 2014 by DAMON K. JONES AJ WOODSON Published by URBANSOUL MEDIA GROUP 455 Tarrytown Rd., Suite 1318 White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 979-2093 www.BlackWestchester.com
Email:
BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @BlkWestchesterM Instagram: @BlackWestchester Facebook: /BlackWestchesterMagazine
Publisher DAMON K. JONES @DamonKJones
As Publisher of Black Westchester Magazine (BW), I would like to thank everyone for their support of our efforts to bring information to the people of Westchester County. As we embark on a new chapter for BW, we hope to continue to empower the reader on issues in their communities. Independent media like BW has become more than a mere institution; instead, the independent media acts as a direct participant in the traditional three-branch system of governance. What many fail to realize is that independent media serves a fundamental role in making democracies run efficiently, even though there are frequent clashes. Independent media system thus often “reflects the political philosophy in which Democracy indeed functions”. This being said, BW will not be disregarded as a trivial player in the responsibilities of being a check and balance system in the political process of the Black Communities of Westchester. BW’s purpose is not only to address the political process that affects the everyday lives of communities of colour in Westchester County. BW’s mission has also been to shine a light on the brilliant culture, morals, values and elegant lifestyle of Black people. It’s time to change the narrative on how Black people are perceived in media. As Publisher of BW, our doors are open to the public. From the publication, the website, our radio show and now the newspaper; our doors are open to the people. We do not do this for any grander position or status; we do it for the people.
A FEW WORDS FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF W
elcome to the August 2018 - One Year Anniversary Edition of Black Westchester Newspaper! Yeah that’s right its been a year of News With The Black Point OF View. A year since we dropped our debut newspaper August 2017 and its been an incredible journey and we thank all of you for taking the journey with us.
Editor-In-Chief AJ WOODSON
We have a lot to celebrate. It’s also the four year anniversary of our online news magazine, BlackWestchester.com and four years of Real Talk For The Community on our weekly online radio show, People Before Politics. We have also expanded our reach with our new radio show, the Black Westchester Power Hour Radio Show on WVOX 1460 AM every first Monday of the month from 11am -12 noon.
Mistress Of Information Brenda L. Crump
We are celebrating with commenerative T-Shirts with the front cover of this Anniversary Issue on the front, that we will be selling for $25. Anyone interesting in purchasing one, email us at BlackWestchester@gmail.com and put Aniversary T-Shirt in the subject. Make checks to Black Westchester, we will be sporting them on of four year anniversary show of PBP Radio, Sunday, August 5th.
@BWEditorInChief
News Reporters/ Writers AJ Woodson Damon K. Jones Lorraine Lopez (Latino Empowerment) Dennis Richmond Jr. Yas Hurston Rashad Bilal Paul Feiner Pugzie P A’tik Khalil
Thank you to all our supporters, advertisers, distributors, writers, photographers, editors and everyone who had a hand in us bringing you another edition on Black Westchester. Send us your feedback and let us know what you think of this issue and let us know subjects / topics you would like to see us cover in the future by sending an email to BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com. Peace and Blessings AJ Woodson Editor-In-Chief
Photographers AJ Woodson Shane Samuels Graphic Designers AJ Woodson Paula S. Woodson For Advertising Rates AdvertiseWithBW@gmail.com Letters To The Editor BWEditorInChief@gmail.com
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6 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BW NEWS
AUGUST 2018
BLACK WESTCHESTER NEWS JOE SPIEZIO STRIPPED OF COUNTY GARBAGE CONTRACT
SPIEZIO’S COMPETITION CARTING’S LICENSE WAS NOT RENEWED IN THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN, EARLIER THIS YEAR, LOST IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES MAY BE COMING SOON
BY AJ WOODSON
In an investigative report, last month Black Westchester asked the question, “Why Is The Westchester County Solid Waste Commission allowing Joseph Spiezio to operate with impunity?” The teflon garbage can don, seemed to be getting away with whatever he wanted to do for years. That may be coming to an end. On Monday, July 9th the garbage can gangster/ deputy MVPD Police Commissioner was stripped of his contract to pick up garbage at Westchester County facilities, including the Westchester County Airport, due to breach of contract after a $4.2 million federal lawsuit by trust and pension funds of Teamster Union, Local 813, Lohud reported. The Westchester County Board of Acquisition & Contract approved an emergency six-month contract to haul trash in the county with City Carting for $720,000 to replace Spiezio’s R&S Waste Services. A move that has many municipalities like Mount Vernon, who have contracts with Spiezio’s trash hauling empire, revisiting their contractual affiliation with the controversial garbageman. The lost of the County contract is another brick removed in the wall of his trash hauling empire. Mr. Spiezio recently just lost his contract for the Town of Yorktown earlier this year as well. The Yorktown Town Clerk’s office told Black Westchester that Spiezio’s Competition Carting no longer has a license in the Town of Yorktown. They lost the bid this year to AAA Carting, who had the best bid. We are told Spiezio is currently trying to appeal the decision. Will other municipalities follow suit and cancel Mr. Spiezio license to haul trash too, only time will tell? Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story.
NRPD LAUNCHES ENFORCEMENT BLITZ DURING STATEWIDE SPEED AWARENESS WEEK CAMPAIGN
NEW ROCHELLE – The New Rochelle Police Department will participate in NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) Speed Awareness Week (August 1-7), a week-long enforcement initiative to crack down on speeding drivers and speedrelated crashes. During the Speed Awareness Week blitz, officers will intensify enforcement of posted speed limits throughout the City. “Speeding drivers put themselves, their passengers and other drivers at tremendous risk,” says Traffic Unit Supervisor Detective Sergeant, Myron Joseph. “Our goal is to save lives, and we’re putting all drivers on alert - the posted speed limit is the law.” The intensified enforcement effort against speeding drivers underscores the severity of the problem, both locally and across the nation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says 3 out of every 10 drivers are selfprofessed “speeders”. According to NHTSA, the economic cost to society from speedrelated crashes is $52 billion annually. The NRPD warns: When it comes to speeding: Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine.
WESTCHESTER BLACK WOMEN’S POLITICAL CAUCUS - MOUNT VERNON CHAPTER
HOSTS ANNUAL FISH FRY FUNDRAISER
MOUNT VERNON – The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus - Mount Vernon Chapter held their annual Fish Fry Fundraiser at the beautiful home of Diane and Richard Atkins, Sunday, July 15th. This year, the Mt. Vernon Chapter held their first annual Essay Contest. The topic was “Why Should We Vote?” The winners were as follows: First Prize $750.00 was awarded to Kenisha Daniel. Second Prize - $500.00 was awarded to Kalilia McDonald and Ashanti Clarke. All three students attend Mt. Vernon High School. The Caucus believes strongly in supporting all women and men who run for elected office and who share the same ideals as the Caucus. In addition, Mt. Vernon strongly believes in educating and encouraging our young people to vote and the importance of voting. NYS Senator Jamaal T. Bailey was also in attendance. Diane Waters is the Pres. of the MV Chapter and Lynn McBride is the Vice Pres.
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AUGUST 2018
BW NEWS
BLACK WESTCHESTER7
THE MOUNT VERNON REVIEW WITH COUNCILMAN ANDRÉ WALLACE SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS
A lot has been made about lawsuits recently in Mount Vernon, particularly in regard to Memorial Field and its sewer system. For the time-being, let’s just focus on Memorial Field because in that case, the sad fact is that Mount Vernon is suing itself. It’s costing the taxpayers a ton of money in legal fees and, when the dust settles, there will be no winner, only losers – chief among them are the taxpayers of Mount Vernon, the credibility of its elected leaders, and the viability of the processes its government uses to run this city. I’m not here to focus on the past. That’s not a productive use of anyone’s time. All I can do is provide you with the benefit of my experience, in and out of government, and try to navigate a path forward. I own and operate a construction company so I know a lot about lawsuits. Whether a lawsuit is filed by you or one is filed against you, it is an unfortunate part of the business. It doesn’t mean that I like lawsuits. I abhor them. They take up too much of my time, cost too much money, and only rarely produce an outcome that’s worth it all. With that said, I am usually the first person seeking to avoid one and I am usually the last person seeking to file one. We must remember that all government is built on compromise; without compromise, our government does not function... plain and simple. Doing the work involves persuasion and passion to push your ideas forward but it also requires an
THE GREENBURGH REPORT OUR POSTAL SERVICE IS NOT VERY RELIABLE BY PAUL FEINER
mail that they were supposed to deliver. Rome wasn’t built in a day and it’s going to take time to correct all the problems that currently exist. Some of the problems with the postal service operations are national. But- progress is being made. I asked Roxanne Hosein to write up a short memo about her new job and about herself. If you have concerns you could reach out to her directly. Please feel free to copy me since I am going to try to continue to push for improvements in service. And want to monitor the service you currently receive. If you live in Greenburgh do you sometimes PAUL FEINER, Greenburgh Town Supervisor receive mail addressed to a resident of Yonkers, New Rochelle or Mt Vernon? A NOTE FROM THE WESTCHESTER If you live in Tuckahoe, Peekskill POSTAL SERVICE MANAGER... or White Plains have you also received Returning to the Postal Service’s mail that wasn’t supposed to go to you? Westchester District is like a professional If the answer is yes - you are homecoming for me. My postal managenot alone. Our postal service is not very ment career was launched in Westchester reliable. And- when you mail a letter you over twenty years ago in positions focusing can’t be guaranteed that it will be deliv- on customer relations, marketing and postal ered to the right person or business. operations. Living in Westchester, obtaining In recent years I have forwarded my MBA at Mercy and now returning to work hundreds of complaints about postal in Westchester, I have a personal interest service operations to the United States and committed in making a positive influpostmaster, members of Congress and ence for my neighbors, colleagues and resito local postal officials. Earlier this year I dents of Westchester. It is genuinely gratifywas getting dozens of complaints A DAY ing to return to be part of the 5,327 USPS from residents who received mail that Westchester team who are committed in was supposed to go to someone else. strengthening and delivering our brand. Many residents expressed concern: no Like any other organization that deliveries on some days, checks and competes for customers, it is essential that bills not being received, prescription we continuously look for ways to adapt and drugs not being delivered. Since the improve. Under the leadership of Westchbeginning of the year I have forwarded ester District Manager Richard Conte, the every citizen complaint to the United good news is that we are beginning to reStates Postmaster, the Inspector General ceive positive feedback on our service; but of the US Postal Service and other top rest assured, we have more work to do. The officials in Washington, members of community feedback from our ongoing outCongress and representatives of the union reach activities is certainly paying dividends representing postal service carriers. I by helping us do a better job of identifying want to make sure that your complaints areas of opportunity for improvement. are getting their attention. If you would like to share feedback Some positive news: The number or concerns to me directly, please send to: of complaints I receive is down from roxanne.hosein@usps.gov. dozens a day to one or two a day on In my role as a Post Office Operaaverage (an improvement). The Postal tions Manager reporting to the District ManService has hired a new Westchester ager, I was fortunate to have participated Manager Roxanne Hosein who I think is in the April 25 Town Hall Meeting in White working very hard, getting back to Plains and the March 9 Westchester elected people and problem solving. I have officials briefing session. In addition, I am received compliments from residents glad that the 100+ “We’re Listening Weekabout her follow up. The Hartsdale Post- end” community forums included many of master was removed and replaced by a the Post Offices under my immediate adnew Postmaster after many residents ministrative jurisdiction. complained that they weren’t getting You can also send us an email by mail for days at a time. visiting USPS.com, clicking on “Contact Us” There are still problems with the at the bottom of our homepage, and followpostal service and many people can’t ing the prompts. rely on dependable mail service. In recent Looking to the future, the Westchester weeks the postal service has been in the postal team recognizes the importance of news --because some people are stealing working closely with the communities we mail from mail boxes. https://www.lo- serve. We will continue to solicit their input hud.com/story/news/local/westchester/ and use it to strengthen our commitment to yonkers/2018/05/29/rash-mail-theft-hits- every customer at the 1.1 million delivery yonkers/653034002/. And, there have addresses we serve in the Westchester District. been news reports of inappropriate be- Roxanne Hosein havior by some postal service carriers Post Office Operations Manager (could be part timer’s) who did not deliver USPS - Westchester District
acknowledgment that there will be times when you’re not going to get everything you want. It requires recognizing that each participant has a job to do and that those jobs were put there for a reason. When the dust settles, a compromise is made, the business of government moves forward, and you try again to get what you want another day. That’s the process. When one party forgets or ignores this aspect of government and when that party refuses to even discuss or negotiate- or even to compromise- very little gets done. If that person then circumvents the process entirely and proceeds without any authority, the entire community is at risk. This is where we are at right now in Mount Vernon. And, that is why the City Council felt compelled to file suit over Memorial Field. We sought and received a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent any further destruction at Memorial Field and to initiate the process so that compromise and real work can be achieved. It’s not a decision we made lightly because as with any lawsuit, it can be extremely disruptive and costly. However, when we weighed the long-term cost of the taxpayer to the short-term cost of litigation, the former was minimal in comparison. Private property was being destroyed and taxpayers were going to be the ones to pay for another’s reckless decisions. Government processes and laws were not being adhered to and taxpayers were going to be the ones to pay for another’s lawless decisions. That is why the City Council wanted to put an end to these bullying tactics and dictator-style government. We have repeatedly asked the Mayor to sit down with the City Council to craft a plan for Memorial Field together. I will repeat the invitation here and will keep it open. The Mayor was elected by the people of Mount Vernon. All of the City Council members respect the office and the difficulties associated with leading a city government. We want to be helpful to the Mayor’s vision. As a former member of Mount Vernon’s City Council, Mayor Thomas understands completely that we must protect and preserve the assets of the city and the way we do that is by relying on the processes set forth in the City Charter. The Mayor and the Council can create a strategy, fund that strategy, and implement it. It’s a team effort. For whatever reason, the Mayor has decided to ignore those processes and proceed without authority and without compromise. So, the City Council had to stop him and remind him that we are here to be partners, not obstructionists. To continue with the approach Mayor Thomas selected would ultimately cost the city far more, would only result in more lawsuits, and would leave the city with nothing but an empty promise. Believe me, everyone wants to see Memorial Field restored to its former glory. But we must do it responsibly, lawfully, and together. These lawsuits and the costs associated with them are what I refer to as self-inflicted wounds for Mount Vernon. This must stop. It’s time to re-embrace the concept of compromise and put it back into practice. The City Council is prepared to do that. We respectfully request the Mayor to do the same. Let’s get in a room and do the people’s business. Let’s not make that room a courtroom. Let’s remember it’s the people’s money. Let’s come to the table with good intentions and an open mind to do the job we were elected to do. Let’s do it together and get things done. Then- with no disrespect to all of the lawyers’ involved- they will be fired as quickly as possible. Let’s get to work.
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8 BLACK WESTCHESTER
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
AUGUST 2018
BLACK WESTCHESTER NEWS
LATIMER NAMES NEW FAIR HOUSING DIRECTOR only to reach a fair and appropriate outcome to resolve their cases but also to ensure that
(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer has named White Plains resident Saad Siddiqui, Esq., as Fair Housing Director of the County’s Human Rights Commission. Westchester County Fair Housing Law outlaws discrimination of any kind during a prospective home seeker’s search for housing. Discrimination includes actions from advertisers, appraisers, bankers, real estate offices, brokers and home inspectors – who are all required to give equal treatment to all residents interested in renting or buying housing in Westchester. Latimer said: “Saad brings a wealth of knowledge and legal experience, both in government and private practice, to this important position. In Westchester, we don’t tolerate discrimination of any kind – especially during the already difficult process of finding housing. I was proud to help craft the Westchester County Human Rights Legislation during my time on the Board of Legislators and was proud to see the Board continue this work with its adoption of Fair Housing Laws in 2008. I firmly believe Saad is the right person to implement these laws in 2018.” Siddiqui is a Partner and co-founder of the law firm of Ferrante & Siddiqui, LLP and maintains a diversified law practice with an emphasis on criminal and immigration law. Siddiqui said: “As an immigrant and minority myself, I personally recognize the need to confront discrimination and protect the rights of all people. For these reasons, I have devoted my personal and professional life to defend the rights of others and provide a voice for the underprivileged and underrepresented. As an attorney I have represented hundreds of indigent defendants charged with felonies from arraignment to disposition. Because many of my clients, past and present, have been victims of discrimination and profiling, I have strived not
they would never be victims of discrimination and profiling again. I look forward to bringing my experiences to this new role and serve the people of Westchester.” Human Rights Commission Chair Rev. Doris K. Dalton said: “I am delighted to have Mr. Siddiqui join the Human Rights Commission as the Fair Housing Director. John Baker, the chair of the Fair Housing Board, the board members of the Commission and I will work with Mr. Siddiqui to ensure Westchester is a welcoming place for all its residents to call home.” Human Rights Commission Acting Executive Director Jerrice Epps said: “Westchester County is committed to ensuring every resident or prospective resident is given a fair opportunity when it comes to housing – and at the Westchester County Human Rights Commission we take that mission very seriously. Saad, with his years of expertise when it comes to advancing the rights of those who have been discriminated against, will be a valuable asset to the people of Westchester and I look forward to working with him to advance our shared ideals.” Prior to entering private practice, Siddiqui was Associate Counsel in the Criminal Division of the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County. Additionally, Siddiqui serves on the Board of Directors of the Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Criminal Justice Institute of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, and the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester County, an alternative to incarceration. The Commission can be contacted for more information or to file a complaint by phone at (914) 995-7710 or in-person at 112 E. Post Rd., 3rd Fl., White Plains, NY.
INMATE REENTRY PROGRAM AVAILABLE IN MOUNT VERNON BY A’TIF K. COLEMAN
Mount Vernon, N.Y. - Family Restoration Project, a ReEntry program in Mount Vernon, N.Y., aims to address certain issues that is effecting returning citizens from prison. This project grew out of years of discussions within Westchester County and in the Mount Vernon community about the need for more reentry programs. The Family Restoration Project, is a program of Upon this Rock Ministries, Inc. There goal is to support the successful and safe transition of young fathers from detention, out-of-home placement, or incarceration to their families and communities. Reverend Arthur S. Rose is the Founder and CEO of FRP and his wife, Reverend Dana Davis-Rose serves as Vice President. They frequently host multiple symposiums and I was honored to attend one in July. This event mobilized people with felony convictions to testify before the community about the challenges they experience returning home as a convicted felon. A few of people came forward, from Queens, Harlem and Westchester County to speak about their experiences. Danny McQueen has been the driving force behind FRP and spoke fluently about how people treated him differently when he returned home from prison. Danny was arrested when he was 17-years-old and spent 33 years in prison. When he returned home from prison he said “ the world was going 20mph, and he was going 1mph. He had no direction, spent time in the shelter and couldn’t find a job. Danny couldn’t find someone to accept him for who he is and the mistakes he made in the past. People treated him differently, and showed no love or compassion. That all ended when he found shelter at Family Restoration. He started to educate himself as to why these things are happening. From then on, McQueen began to meet with a range of people at Family Restoration to punt ways to improve himself and his lifestyle. The program assisted Danny with multiple resources. They helped him find employment, housing and more importantly confidence within himself. Another Family Restoration Project member - Anthony Abney Jr., also spoke with me at the Mount Vernon location. He talked about how after spending many years in prison he came home determined to re-connect with his family, especially his two daughters and avoid the situations that would land him back behind bars. Before returning home, Anthony spent time in the shelter and was unemployed. FRP played a major role in his reentry and assisted him with getting an apartment and connecting him with his family. His family had a difficult time visiting him in prison because he was sent to a prison hundreds of miles away. Rev. Rose discuss this problem during the event. They are collecting donations to purchase vans so they can transport families to prison for visitation. Family Restoration Project aims to follow the peer mentoring model, using formerly incarcerated people as the organizers of the program as well as providing the direct support to clients. The principle of peer mentoring means that those who have been through the process of doing time in prison and subsequently turning their lives around post-incarceration, are the ideal people to mentor those who are just beginning their transition back to the community. Ken Bright, a convicted felon and now President/Founder of LIFE Progressive Services Group, is currently working with FRP to help those that have issues with mental health and create workshops for those that need to improve their work ethics. Ken is from Queens and was arrested in 1998 for multiple crimes in Queens. He acknowledge the help and support he received from Former Mayor Ernest D. Davis of Mount Vernon. Davis owns a building on 5th Ave and leases space to Ken so he could advance his non profit organization. LPS also has a food pantry for the unfortunate. Mayor Davis is known for giving ex-cons a second chance at life. But, Ken didnt come alone. He brought David Norman with him, a convicted felon and former drug dealer from Harlem. Norman served time in prison, too many times and now has graduated from Columbia University at 67 years old. He mastered in Philosophy. “It’s always possible to pursue your dreams,” Norman told the Daily News.
Norman had it rough growing up, he was abused mentally and physically by his family, turned to heroin at 14-years-old, and was drinking at age 11. He has been in and out of jail since 1967. The most serious crime was for manslaughter. He walked out of prison for the last time in 2007. Although from Harlem, he lives in Mount Vernon. He feels the community can benefit from his sucess and has partnered up with Ken at LPS. He is also an outreach worker at Montifore Hospital - Mount Vernon, helping substance abusers access the services they need for recovery. David has been sober for 21 years and working on a book titled: “You Don’t Have to Wait as Long as I Did.” God ain’t finish with David. He still has goals to accomplish. Today, how life really is for Danny, Anthony, and David is promising. Regardless of there past, FRP is committed to there success just as much as they are, and they knows that. Family Restoration Project of Mount Vernon is located at Upon Rock Ministries Inc - 14 North Bond Street, Mount Vernon NY.
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AUGUST 2018
ACROSS THE NATION
BLACK WESTCHESTER 9
NEWS WITH A BLACK POINT OF VIEW
BW SPORTS - LEBRON JAMES OPENS PARAMOUNT PRES FIRED FOR RACIALLY PUBLIC SCHOOLBBY IN AKRON FOR AT-RISK KIDS AJ WOODSON CHARGED COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK WOMEN A my Powell was fired as the president of Paramount TV after reportedly saying some
inappropriate things about black women during a conference call, Thursday, July 19th. Five years after being tapped to lead the newly relaunched TV division, Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos wrote in an internal memo that Powell had been fired. Her firing came after “multiple individuals” raised “concerns around comments” made by Powell in a “professional setting, which they believed were inconsistent” with Viacom’s values.
“Having spent the past several days conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and speaking to those who were present, our Human Resources and Legal teams came to the same conclusion, and we have made the decision to terminate Amy’s employment, effective immediately,” he wrote According to The Hollywood Reporter, sources say that the comments included racially charged language spoken during a studio notes call for Paramount Network’s First Wives Club reboot, which is being penned by Girls Trip co-writer Tracy Oliver and will feature a predominantly black cast. Powell allegedly made generalizations about black women that struck some on the call as offensive, according to THR. A complaint was filed to human resources, who with the legal department, investigated the claims and those involved on the notes call. Sources say Paramount considered discipline but decided to fire Powell after she denied the allegations.
Given the sudden nature of her firing, a search for Powell’s replacement will begin shortly. In the interim, Paramount COO Andrew Gumpert will oversee operational support, while Mireille Soria, Brian Robbins and Wyck Godfrey — presidents of Paramount Animation, Paramount Players and Paramount Motion Picture Group, respectively — will help lead the studio’s team.
How LeBron started his own public school?
SANTA MONICA POLICE CLAIM PULLING A GUN ON VING RHAMES AT HIS HOME WAS APPROPRIATE BY AJ WOODSON
As Mission: Impossible - Fallout hit theaters, Friday, July 27, 2018, it prompted a press tour that led franchise actor Ving Rhames to recount another real-life recurring story in America The stage and screen actor was a guest on The Clay Cane Show on SiriusXM Urban View and shared how he had a gun pulled on him at his own home in Santa Monica, California. The incident, which occurred on July 29, 2016, started when his neighbor called 911, thinking he was burglarizing the property after a neighbor reported that a large black man had broken in, the Santa Monica Police Department confirmed. The actor was home watching ESPN in nothing but basketball shorts before he came face to face with a gun, he said. “I open the door … there’s a red dot pointed at my face from a 9 mm, and they say, ‘Put up your hands!’ ” the actor said during the interview. Rhames escaped the situation unharmed, but he says it could have been much worse, even deadly. “My problem is, what if it was my son and he had a video-game remote or something, and you thought it was a gun? Just like … Trayvon had a bag of Skittles,” said Rhames, referring to Trayvon Martin, the teenager gunned down in Florida by a neighborhood patrol watchman in 2012. He added: “There’s so many incidents of where this happens.” In the past few months, a woman called police on a black man wearing socks in the community pool in Memphis, Tennessee. In San Francisco, a woman
Former Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James may be heading to Los Angeles, but his impact is still being felt in Ohio. On Monday, July 30th, King James opened up his much-awaited I Promise School that’s aimed at educating at-risk children. The inaugural year of the school, which is in James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio, opened for the first time to 240 third- and fourth-grade students. In the coming years, the plan is to educate k-8 grade students who will fill out the refurbished structure in downtown Akron area. The NBA superstar created the school as an extension of the LeBron James Family Foundation to give kids opportunities to thrive despite difficult life situations.
called 911 on a young black girl selling water in front of her home. A CVS manager in Chicago called police on a black woman after an argument about a coupon. And police were called on an Oregon lawmaker who was going door-todoor to talk with constituents because she was acting “suspicious.” Santa Monica police are defending their actions. The incident happened in July 2016, “They say several neighbors called reporting that an African-American male had broken into the house, and they believe they responded appropriately, which included a supervisor and sergeant on scene.” Responded appropriately? Pulling a 9-mm on a man when he opens the front door? White People Calling Police On Black People The “living-while-Black” stories shared by Black people on social media just keep getting worse. An elderly African-American woman filed a racial discrimination lawsuit last week after police officers were called on her during a visit to a Wells Fargo bank branch in Florida. Barbara Carroll, a 78-year-old former probation officer and assistant bank manager with a PhD, only wanted to cash a $140 check last November. Her errand quickly became a nightmare when Wells Fargo employees at a Fort Lauderdale location refused her service, held her photo ID hostage and called the police, the Miami New Times reported. Back to Rhames, one of the officers recognized Rhames — not because he was an actor but because the two men’s high school-age sons played against each other in basketball. The situation de-escalated, but Rhames naturally wanted to know why they came to his house in the first place. Had he not been recognized, Rhames could have been another hastag, another African-American male shot, shot at or killed by law enforcement. Just like Jay Z told us in The OJ Story, no matter how famous, still a.....
In November 2017, the LeBron James Family Foundation approached the Akron school board about assisting in the creation of a school designed to help at-risk kids who are lagging behind in their studies and struggling at home. The I Promise School is a joint venture between the foundation and Akron Public Schools. The school board oversaw the creation of the curriculum and ensured the school would meet educational standards, while LeBron served as the primary donor to help shape the outside-the-classroom goals of the school. The school will operate with a longer-thannormal school year, with a focus on accelerated learning to bring kids up to speed who otherwise might be lagging. In addition, there is a focus on combating factors outside of the classroom that could cause children to struggle. Services are available to help students deal from stress related to parents who are struggling to make ends meet. In addition there are activities to prevent the kids from having too much idle time and potentially getting into trouble. For those who complete the program, which has been operating for years, James has arranged for free tuition to the University of Akron starting in 2021. He also created a program for parents of the at-risk children to return to complete their high school educations, and he has planned an institute to help prepare high-school-age students for college. The school also provides services to families, which include job placement assistance for parents and an on-site food bank that will allow parents to pick out foods they can prepare at home. LeBron James often credits his bicycle as a huge factor in his childhood that gave him an escape from dangerous parts of his neighborhood and the freedom to explore — every student will receive a bicycle when they arrive. Principal Brandi Davis explained the goals of the I Promise School to the Los Angeles Times: “I think the missing link in public education is that family wraparound support,” said Brandi Davis, the school’s principal. “Because our students come to school and they’re worried about things at home. … We want to create that safe, that secure and that caring and loving environment for our families and our students so that our kids can focus on education.” The LeBron James Family Foundation has been involved in helping Akron and its surrounding areas for years. In 2015 he announced an initiative that would pay for more than 1,000 kids to attend college. LeBron has also funded the “Wheels for Education” program, which started in 2011 and provides kids with school supplies, access to computers, and a bicycle inside a system designed to keep kids motivated to complete their homework and get good grades.
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10 BLACK WESTCHESTER
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BLACK WESTCHESTER11
Andrea Stewart-Cousins
New York State Senate, 35th District Senate Democratic Leader
Best Wishes To My Friends at
Black Westchester Magazine on the occasion of celebrating your
FOUR-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Thank you for your ongoing commitment to bringing stories of African-American life, culture, economics, politics, sports, and entertainment center stage. Your dedication to keeping the public informed enriches the lives of people throughout Westchester County and I am grateful for all your efforts. NYS Primary Day is September 13, 2018 and General Election is November 6, 2018. Every vote counts. 28 Wells Avenue, Building 3 Courtyard □ Yonkers, New York 10701 □ 914 423 4031
CONGRATULATIONS TO
BLACK WESTCHESTER ON YOUR
4TH ANNIVERSARY SHELLEY B. MAYER State Senator 37th District
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANT ISSUES TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF WESTCHESTER.
PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS RADIO FOUR YEARS OF REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
T he People Before Politics Radio (PBP Radio) celebrates the Fourth Anniversary of the show. We have accomplished so much in such a small period of
time and want to thank all of you for coming along for the ride with us. Black Westchester expanded our multi-media presence with the launching of a new internet radio show, ‘Black Westchester Presents People Before Politics’ Sunday nights 6-8PM on In The Mixx Radio. The debut show aired Sunday, August 3, 2014, hosted by Black Westchester publisher Damon K. Jones and Editor-In-Chief AJ Woodson. It was a continuation on the Blogtalk Internet Radio Show Damon previously hosted by himself. He teamed up with AJ and took the show that had an incredible following to the In The MIxx Radio Studios in Yonkers, NY. Right out the gate there was an immediate impact in the Westchester County political landscape and communities of color in Westchester and surrounding areas. The show has had several co-hosts and guest co-hosts over the past few years including Cynthia Turnquest-Jones who started off the show with Damon and AJ, Juanita Lewis, Rashad Bilal (our financial consultant), Priscilla Echi, Brenda L. Crump, Homelessness advocate Laura Case, Janelle Allbritton, Tasha D. Young, Andy Falk and of course our current co-hosts, former Yonkers City Councilwoman Lorraine Lopez and Dr. Robert Baskerville P.h.D aka Brooklyn Bob. Many elected officials, have come on PBP Radio over the past few years to discuss the issues or introduce themselves while running for office. Guests have included George Latimer (as State Senator and then again as County Exec,) Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Rep. Eliot Engel, Deputy County Exec Ken Jenkins County Legislators Lyndon Williams, Christopher Johnson, Virginia Perez and new Chairman Ben Boykins, Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey and fellow Peekskill Dems, NYC Councilman Jumaane Williams, Yonkers current Council President Mike Khader and Former Pres. Liam McLoughlin, Mount Vernon Councilpersons, Marcus Griffith, Andre Wallace and Janice Duarte, Mt. Vernon Judges Adrian Armstrong and Nichelle Johnson, County Family Court Judge Arlene GordonOliver, NYS Supreme Court Judge Christi Acker, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and City Councilman Jared Rice, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, White Plains Councilwoman Nadine Hunt-Robinson, Westchester Independence Party Chairman Dr. Giulio Cavallo and Ossining Village Trustee Quantel Bazemore. As the show’s name - People Before Politics - suggest we covered much more than politics. Keeping with the tradition of BW – News With The Black Point Of View, PBP Radio is a live talk-show format dealing with issues in the community, where callers can call in an interact with and engage in conversation with the show’s hosts and guests and let their voices be heard. We cover everything that communities of color deal with, like systemic racism, police criminality, homelessness, unemployment and under employment, as well as celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of great individuals and unsung heroes and The Current PBP Radio Roster, Hosts Damon & AJ and sheroes in the Black and Brown Communities. co-hosts Dr. Bob and Lorraine [photo by Shane Samuels]
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Congratulations on the One Year Anniversary of Black Westchester Magazine.
➥Eliot Engel
➥
Congressman
Paid for by Engel for Congress
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14 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
AUGUST 2018
COVER STORIES BW COVER STORY
DAMON K. JONES AND AJ WOODON BY AJ WOODSON
I must say out of all the things I’ve done and accomplished in my life, creating, writing, laying out the newspaper each month and producing the radio show might just be the most rewarding of them all to date. I mean I’ve been around the world with B Luv as a rappers in the JVC Force and coined the phrase Strong Island, which Long Island would forever be referred to in Hip-Hop circles, sampled from a Chuck D lyric, wrote for the Source, Vibe, Village Voice and too many other entertainment publications and websites to mention. Interviewed most of my favorite athletes, recording artists and actors like Muhammad Ali and his daughter Laila, years later, Pam Grier (my first crush), Gil Scott Heron, Mario and his pops Melvin Van Peoples, Gerald, Sean and Eddie Levert, even interviewed Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox, Lela Rochon, all together for the movie, Why Do Fools Fall In Love. As well as many legendary rappers who have passed like Biggie and Tupac, Big Pun, Big L, Phife Dawg (also did college and internet radio promotions for his solo album), Craig Mack, who I used to play video games with in my basement before Hip-Hop knew either one of our names... legends that inspired me to get into Hip-Hop like Grand Master Flash and Mele Mel, Grandmaster Caz and the Cold Crush, Kool Moe Dee and many others... Even after doing all that, Black Westchester for me has been the most rewarding and fulfilling, because it touches lives and in some cases has changed people’s lives, helping the wrongfully incarcerated get out of jail and writing stories that help put the corrupt cops who lied on the stand and falsified search warrant affidavits get indicted and go to jail. Bringing attention to those fighting for justice and equality etc... Damon K. Jones picking me as the one he wanted to embark on this journey with him and be the pen to his movement will be one of the many things that will outlive both of us. The work we have done as a team has been unparalleled....
Both Damon and I are a movement by ourselves, but together we have become a force to be reckoned with. I always joke with him, that he is a walking press conference, anyone who knows him, knows what I’m talking about. The battles have been many, the work has been plentiful, sometimes thankless and often tiring, but somehow together and with the help of others like Dr Bob Baskerville, Lorraine Lopez, Brenda L. Crump, Priscilla Echi, Cynthia Turnquest-Jones, Rashad Bilal, Tasha D. Young, Ricky Maxwell and A’tif K. Coleman the newest addition to the crew, and others, we have become the voice of the voiceless - a place to go when you do not know where else to go, a place to come to for answers, when you have tried everything else - in such a short period of time. In the past four years we have accomplished a lot and covered a lot of territory with BlackWestchester.com and the People Before Politics Radio Show, not to mention this past year with the addition of the printed news. We celebrate this one year anniversary of the newspaper and four year anniversary of the online news magazine and radio show with all of you, because without all of you, we could not have gotten this far. When Damon approached me in May of 2014 with the idea, I do not believe either one of us thought it would become what it has. There was no way of knowing how much we would effect the local political landscape and the lives of Black and Brown people in Westchester County and the surrrounding areas. The internet has made the whole world our audience and we take this responsibility very seriously. Big up to Damon for picking me to share this journey with him. To be able to document history as it is unfolding is a humbling experience. To know future generations will be looking to what you write, when looking to this moment in African-American history. Oh yeah, let me also take this time wish my brother Damon, a happy 50th Born Day. This is just the beginning my brother, we have much work to do ahead of us! There is no one better to be in the trenches with in the struggle for truth, justice and equality than Damon K. Jones!
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AUGUST 2018
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
BLACK WESTCHESTER 15
BW COVER STORY
THE MEN BEHIND BLACK WESTCHESTER
BY DAMON K JONES
F irst of all I just want to thank all the readers and supporters who held us down over the past four years. I want to thank AJ for putting his effort in the paper and in a years time making it a staple in Westchester County, that people look forward to for credible factbased journalism. Carrying yourself with intergrity in journalism is very hard. Doing it in Westchester County and keeping your head up amongst the distractors, that do not want a paper speaking truth to power from a black perspective, can be a task. Big shout out to the Westchester County Press and all other Black Media that came before us in Westchester County. We stand on their shoulders and God-willing, we will continue to do the work were doing and hopefully every year take it up another level. Hopefully every year we will get bigger and bigger and continue to espound on what’s coming down the road. My hat off to AJ because you took an idea and you made it reality and that’s what it’s all about, regardless of the hate. What’s unfortunate is that the hate often comes from our own people. It’s been an incredible ride and we look forward to many more years of bringing you News With The Black Point Of View!
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16 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
AUGUST 2018
DEMOCRAT THE STEADFAST LEADER WE NEED. Nader, a 60-year resident of Yonkers, grew up with seven siblings on Waverly Street. After working his way through college, he dedicated himself to fighting for educational opportunities and equitable services, serving for over 40 years as a teacher, principal, college professor, BOE trustee, and currently, a practicing attorney. With Sana, his wife of 34 years, he has raised five daughters who all attended Yonkers Public Schools and now have careers in medicine, education, and dentistry. Nader is the candidate Yonkers can trust to protect our best interests.
NaderSayegh.com /SayeghForAssembly @Sayegh2018 @NaderSayegh4Assembly
Congratulations
BLACK WESTCHESTER
on your first anniversary of the newspaper. Thank you for making it your mission of keeping the community informed. Wishing you many more years of success.
NADER SAYEGH
A PROGRESSIVE VOICE FOR YONKERS
All the Best,
Virginia Perez
CANDIDATE FOR NYS SENATE DISTRICT 35
Paid for by Friends of Nader Sayegh
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AUGUST 2018
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
BLACK WESTCHESTER17
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18 BLACK WESTCHESTER
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
AUGUST 2018
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AUGUST 2018
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
BLACK WESTCHESTER19
REGION II NAACP WILBUR T. ALDRIDGE, DIRECTOR
We Salute and Congratulate BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE for their stewardship over "The News with a Black Point of View" On this First Anniversary, we acknowledge and appreciate your support of our GAME CHANGING service to the community. We especially commend A.J. Woodson for his insightful and thorough coverage of the issues in Criminal Justice, Education. Economic Development and Political Awareness. Please continue to be the paper "by and for the people."
SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING BRANCHES OF THE NAACP: NEW ROCHELLE PEEKSKILL PORT CHESTER/RYE WHITE PLAINS/GREENBURGH YONKERS
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20 BLACK WESTCHESTER
HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/LATINOEMPOWERMENT/
14 QUESTIONS WITH AMBER RIVERA W
AUGUST 2018
BY LORRAINE LOPEZ
hat does it mean to be Hispanic in America today? Is there an “Americano Dream”? Is it being achieved? Next month, Black Westchester takes a look at the challenges confronted by the Hispanic community and its growing influence in the realms of politics, culture and business in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. But the Black Westchester’s Latino Empowerment column was created to highlight and celebrate the lives of Latino Americans every month.
There is none more important than the celebration of our Latino youth, who are the future leaders of tomorrow. Graduation time for High School students has come and gone and many of them are now embarking in a new journey towards college. One of these students is 17-year-old Amber Rivera, our Latino Empowerment spotlight of the month. Latino Empowerment spotlight: Amber Rivera with her mom, Susie on Graduation Day.
Amber is a High Honor Roll student who has participated in many school activities and graduated with prestigious honors. We had the pleasure of asking Amber 14 Questions regarding her experiences and her new journey in life. We are sure that just like us, you will be proud of this articulate, giving, and intellectual young lady
1. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING. Later this month, I will be attending college in Los Angeles studying film and television production as a full-time student. 2. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE? In school, I participated in many extracurricular activities. I worked on crews throughout the entirety of high school for the school plays where I became Publicity Crew Chief in my senior year. I helped make the programs, posters, collect ads, and handle merchandise. I was also a part of my school’s GSA since sophomore year and was treasurer for my junior and senior year. I helped raise money for the Red Cross through my high school along with friends to help build a village. I was also in the English National Honor Society for excelling in English and National Honor Society where I volunteered in my community. Lastly, I was also a part of my school’s Spanish Honor Society where we held community events that helped fundraise money to donate to relief projects in Puerto Rico and Mexico due to natural disasters. 3. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? I want to work in the film industry, either through acting or production. I hope to be successful enough that I can use my platform to raise awareness surrounding issues like social/political/economical injustices to a larger audience. I also want to donate any time or money to organizations that help alleviate these issues and just simply help people. As far as what motivates me, there’s a sense of reward that comes with accomplishing a goal. Whether it’s my own personal sense of achievement or seeing the positive effect it had on other people, it’s nice to see that my hard work pays off. 6. What do you see as one of the biggest problems in the Latino Community. I would say one of the biggest problems in the Latino Community is mental health. Mental health is a problem all across the board regardless of ethnicity, but the stigma around mental health is just as strong in the Latino Community as it is elsewhere. Mental health affects the ability to get a job, seek an education, to take care of oneself and others, and overall the ability to live. Given that so much is unreported or untreated, a lot of people in the community aren’t getting the help they need. There’s a shift happening in today’s society, however, that is heading towards the destigmatization of mental illness which is a good sign that maybe people will start getting the help they deserve. 4. IS THERE ENOUGH LATINO LEADERSHIP? DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE MORE? IN WHAT AREAS? DO WE NEED MORE BUSINESS OWNERS? I think more Latino leadership would be a good thing. It’s good to see that kind of representation. If a young Latino sees someone that is also Latino in a place of leadership, it does two things: the young person feels like they’re truly being heard/ represented as the second thing is the encouragement it provides. Seeing that it’s possible to be Latino and a leader is important. An increase in Latino leadership in all areas would be great because with more representation, there will be more future Latino leaders and business owners. 5. WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON TODAYS POLITICS/POLITICIANS TOWARDS THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY BOTH NATIONAL AND LOCAL. In terms of national politics, the current administration doesn’t seem to act exactly hospitable to the Hispanic community as seen through repeated negative remarks and legislation that seems to target people of the Hispanic community. This affects people’s attitudes nationwide and these negative sentiments have only grown, maybe not everywhere in the country, but it has only increased in different areas. Luckily on a local level, I’ve never personally experienced anything against me politically because of my heritage, but I do know that’s not the case for everyone in every region and I hope that’ll change. 6. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE IMMIGRATION PROTECTION ACT? ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST IT? After doing some research, I can say I’m for the Immigration Protection Act. It ensures immigrants have access to rights any other person should receive. It’s an act that allows for people to be further treated equally and that’s something I can agree with.
7. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE FOLKS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I have a deep motivation to help and continue learning. I want to learn ten languages, how to play multiple instruments, and how to improve on any skills I already have. I love people; I love hanging out with my friends and family likes most people my age. My love for people is one of the reasons I want to help so much. I want to help through learning how to make movies that make them feel good and by learning different languages so I can cross whatever language barriers are present. I also think movies, linguistics, and music is just really cool, and I’m still very young, so who knows what else will pique my interest in the future, but I’m excited. 8. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG LATINO? I would tell them to work hard and that they might even have to work harder because there are people in this world who will treat them differently simply because they are Latino. However, their Latino identity does not make them any less than anyone else despite what others might think, and their Latino identity and culture is something to be proud of and something that is beautiful. 9. WHAT IS YOUR GPA? My GPA is a 4.0. 10. WHAT COLLEGE ARE YOU GOING TO? WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR & WHY I’m going to Loyola Marymount University. I’m majoring in Film and Television Production because for as long as I could remember, movies have captivated me and I want to be able to be a part of what makes a movie go from a story to an audience. 11. HOW DO YOU FEEL STARTING EMBARKING ON A NEW JOURNEY IN YOUR LIFE? / ANOTHER STATE? It’s a whole mess of emotions. There’s the anxiety of being the farthest I’ve ever been from home, surrounded by people I’ve never known, and the reality of having to broke more self-reliant. There’s also the overwhelming excitement of having the opportunity to learn in an environment suited for me and create new memories and experiences. Any big life change will come with its worries, so keeping that in mind will allow the transition to flow more smoothly. 12. WHO INFLUENCED YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY? My friends, family, and teachers have influenced me the most. I’ve known my family for my whole life and lived with them for almost 18 years; it’d be surprising if they didn’t influence me. My parents provided for me and taught me lessons about reality and the society we live in. My sister was practically a third parent who took care of me when my parents were working and guided me through almost everything and my brother was always there to deliver some late-night philosophical discussion that would last hours. My friends have been there for every time I needed to relax and just be in an environment where I could be care free when I’m otherwise the opposite. Lastly, my teachers always encouraged me and taught not only school subjects, but some solid life advice that I’m going to keep in my back pocket for a while. 13. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS FROM NOW? In 5 years, I’ll be 22, almost 23. I would be done with college, working in the film industry, living in a city I love with roommates to help pay the rent. I’m happy with where I’m heading. I’ll also reading this article again in 5 years to see if I got this prediction right. 14. AND LASTLY, IF YOU WERE A SUPERHERO WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? I love superheroes so much, I’m borderline obsessed with superhero movies, so it’s impossible to choose one and stick with it. If I were a superhero, I’d be some hybrid of Scarlet Witch and Shuri. Scarlet Witch has so much power but doesn’t get overwhelmed by it and Shuri is so incredibly intelligent and so funny as well. They both exhibit balance, character, and personality and I love that a lot.
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AUGUST 2018
LATINO EMPOWERMENT
BLACK WESTCHESTER21
BW UNSUNG HERO: YONKERS COMMUNITY ACTIVIST TASHA DIAZ BY LORRAINE LOPEZ
I
n every community there are unsung heroes and sheroes who selflessly give of themselves and seldom get the credit. Individuals who go over and beyond the call for others without a title or the fanfare. No picture ops, no news coverage, they just do, because it needs to be done. Individuals who never complain when politicians and others step in when the media is around and the cameras are present to take the credit. They are on the front line, but outside of their immediate community, very few know their names. And that’s fine with them, because it’s about helping the community, being there for the people, being on the front line when something goes down. This month we spotight such an individual, Tarshiena Diaz, better known in Yonkers as Tasha. A lifelong resident who still resides in the same neighborhood, she was raised in, where three generations of her family hail, in the Southside of Yonkers.
The proud wife of 19 years, mother of two - a 20-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son - President of the Jefferson Terrace Tenants Association, Community Activist, Secretary for the Yonkers Democratic Committee and she is on the Women’s Advisory Board for Westchester County representing the 17th Legislative District as well as on the committee for ACDY - the Dominican Cultural Association of Yonkers. But those are just titles, that is not what makes her an unsung shero. She feeds the seniors in her area, throws coat and toys drives, registering residents to vote and not only is she the president of the tenants associations fighting for the rights of those who live in her building, but she has empowered others and helped them start tenant associations in their buildings.
Ms. Diaz is far from the first and she won’t be the last to go out of her way to help make her community, but like those before her, it’s a calling. It’s what she was taught by her grandmother, Mary Blagmon who she took care of until she passed on July of 2015. “My grandmother Mary Blagmon is the one that got me started with community work,” Tasha shares with BW’s Latino Empowerment. “I started helping her cook for community baptist church. My grandmother watched me while my mom worked she taught everything I know about cooking, being a fashionista and taking care of my family, she was married to my grandfather for over 50 years. What motivates me are my family, my loving husband, and especially my kids, my mom, and my younger sister, but most of all my grandmother, she always told me that I was cut from a different cloth. I was put here for a purpose and that purpose is to take care of/ and help people. My grandmother taught me all I know about how to be a wife, mother, and leader.” Inspired by her grandmother, Tasha provides meals throughout my community to those in need, especially the seniors. She has organized a back pack giveaway in Cerrato Park with the YMCA in Yonkers via donations from people in the community and organizations in Yonkers. Donors were then, State Senator George Latimer, the firefighters of local 628, the Jefferson Terrace Tenants Association, Maeve Scott, and Wilson Terrero) and County Legislator Virginia Perez.She has also helped people in the community with recertifications, obtaining lawyers for housing issues, food programs, etc. She is often on call to assist the community in anyway she can. When 7383 Highland had a state of emergency and had no electricity for, Tasha along with Brandi Campbell was there delivering food,personal care items and whatever else was needed to assist them, Juanita Perry, Vice President of the buidling’s tenant association told BW. A thankless job, because no matter how much you do, there is so much more to be done. “I want the community to better for the kids growing up as well as for my kids because they are our future,” Tasha shares. “The community is what drives me. I see that there is a lot of work that needs to be done and and feel like I’ve seen the community from a then and now and it’s not getting any better. I have hope that it will prosper with the right attention.” Black Westchester and Latino Empowerment salute Tarshiena Diaz for all she does and spotlights her as this month’s Unsung Shero. As we always say, its those who do the work without a title that should be celebrated the way elected official who dont, are.
FAMILY SEPERATION: TRUMP FALLS SHORT OF DEADLINE
TO REUNITE CHILDREN SEPERATED FROM FAMILIES
The federal government fell short of the Tuesday, July 10th deadline, imposed by federal judge Dana Sabraw, to reunite all of the more than 100 children under the age of 5 separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border under President Donald Trump’s draconian “zero tolerance” prosecution policy. Trump administration officials announced Thursday, July 12th, that 1,442 children had been reunited and that by the end of the day zero children would remain in custody with parents eligible for reunification. Earlier, government lawyers said 1,637 parents had been deemed eligible for reunification. An additional 771 children remained in government custody because their parents remained ineligible for reunification, including 431 with parents who may have already been deported, 120 with parents who waived reunification and 21 with parents who have criminal backgrounds. “ICE and especially ERO has made a concerted effort and dedicated an inordinate amount of resources to ensure that these reunification did occur,” Matthew Albence, executive director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, said Thursday during press call. “The overall first guiding principal is the safety of these children.” Judge Sabraw, who ordered the government in June to reunify migrant children separated under the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, said that the government “deserves great credit” for its actions to reunify those more than 1,800 separated children. But he also said that step two in the matter is turning to 650 children who were deemed “ineligible” to be reunited by the government, particularly what he called “missing parents” who have already been deported without their children — which is believed to be 431, according to court filings. A total of 2,551 migrant children were taken from their parents at the U.S.Mexico border, many housed here in Westchester County. Many of whom were separated under the “zero tolerance” policy that called for the prosecution of all immigrants crossing the border illegally. Judge Sabraw did not immediately rule on a request for a 7-day stay on deportations of reunited families sought by the American Civil Liberties Union. ACLU lawyer Lee Gelernt argued for the stay Friday by calling it “tortuous to have a parent thinking ‘I gave away my child because I was confused and made a mistake,’” speaking of 120 parents who the ACLU says may have waived their right to reunification in error. The ACLU said that the government has not given complete information about the migrants deemed ineligible for reunification, either because parents of those children either have “red flags” in their background, were released into the United States, verbally relinquished their rights to reunify, or have been deported. Sabraw said in the next step he will consider the request for a 7-day stay on deportations for reunited families, which the ACLU sought to ensure that parents are given proper time to decide whether to be deported with their children or leave their children in the U.S. while the children pursue asylum. He will also issue an order regarding immediate next steps for locating parents deported without their children and another 52 parents released to the interior of the United States who cannot be located. Sabraw said agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department must do a more efficient job of reuniting children and parents in the future. “This problem cannot repeat,” Sabraw said
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22 BLACK WESTCHESTER
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
AUGUST 2018
BW FINANCE - MANAGING RISK BY RASHAD BILAL
“The greater the risk, the greater the reward.” It’s a statement we’ve all heard referenced in many areas throughout our lives. Taking on more risk with your investments may increase your likelihood of higher returns, but you may also experience the downs of the investment markets, including the risk of losing some or all of your investment. Can your proverbial stomach take that?
BALANCING RISKS
There are many different kinds of risk. One of those is market risk. That’s the chance the value of an investment will go down, not up, causing you to lose money. The second is the possibility that you may not earn enough on your investments to keep up with inflation. And a third common risk is the chance your investments won’t grow enough to get you to your longer-term goals, such as retirement.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR RISK TOLERANCE
There are a number of factors that can help determine your risk tolerance: What is your time frame? The length of time remaining for you to reach your goal matters when it comes to how much risk you can handle in your portfolio. What can you afford to lose? Another key consideration is how much investable money you have available after identifying your goals and obligations, and how much you can afford to lose. What is your emotional ability to handle risk? Some people can’t handle the ups and downs of the markets and, therefore, are better off choosing a more conservative portfolio. Investors need to be savvy, always balancing the risks they are taking with
the possible rewards — and avoiding investments that are beyond their understanding or individual tolerance for market volatility.
INVESTING FOR THE LONG TERM
When investing for long-term goals, it is important to be prudent and stay focused on the long view. Prices of stocks and bonds can go up and down, sometimes wildly. But if you’re thinking in terms of years and not days, the short-term peaks and valleys won’t seem so large. A prudent investor helps manage risk by diversifying — spreading money among different kinds of investments that are not correlated to each other. Of course, diversification cannot guarantee a profit or protect your portfolio from losses.
NOT TOO MUCH BUT NOT TOO LITTLE, EITHER
It can actually be risky to take too little risk. A person in their 20s, who puts all of their retirement savings into conservative investments isn’t at much risk of losing their money. But they may be at risk of running out of money when they retire because they weren’t able to accumulate enough to keep up with inflation. A reliable way to manage risk is to choose a strategy and stick with it. This is as much a matter of managing your emotions as picking an asset allocation strategy that’s in line with your investment profile. Learning as much as you can about different investments and strategies definitely helps. If you’re just getting started, read up on the basics like 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts. If you’re closer to retirement, you may want to learn how you can shift your investment mix and convert your assets into income. Either way, enjoy the ride.
Provided by Rashad Bilal, a financial representative with The Bilal Group LLC, courtesy of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
WILLIAM GROSS MAKES HISTORY AS BOSTON’S FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLICE COMMISSIONER
BY AJ WOODSON
33-year-old
veteran Boston Police Superintendent -in-Chief William Gross makes history as the city’s first African-American police commissioner.
Gross has been in the department for five years serving as the superintendent-in-chief.
For the first time a person of color is leading the Boston Police Department.
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh - who appointed Gross - hailed him as the right person for the position and said he was proud to have appointed Boston’s first African-American commissioner. He replaces William Evans, who has served as the city’s top cop since 2014, He retired from the department after nearly 40 years to take a public safety job with Boston College. Gross began his career in the violent-plagued Dorchester neighborhood in 1983 and then rose through the ranks to become the highest-ranking uniformed officer before being named commissioner. He noted Boston’s “negative history” but acknowledged the historic nature of his appointment. “It shows that any kid in Boston, and we were poor and we made it, will have the opportunity to be the mayor, the commissioner or chief if we all work together,” Gross said. Walsh told reporters that Gross’ hiring won’t “solve racism or the perception of racism” in Boston. “This is one more step toward working toward a better society,” he said. According to 7-News Boston; “As a 33-year veteran of the department, Gross has a decade of experience on the command staff. As a patrol officer, he spent several years in the Gang Unit and Drug Control Unit. Gross rose through the police force, achieving the ranks of sergeant and sergeant detective before getting promoted to deputy superintendent in 2008, where he became a member of the command staff of the department. As deputy superintendent, Gross coordinated with district captains in their development of strategies to address crime trends and
attended community meetings to address specific neighborhood crime concerns.” Mayor Walsh said, “Chief Gross is the right person to take on this command. I’m proud to appoint Boston’s first African-American police commissioner. He brings with him a lifetime of trust… He’s the right person at the right time for this job.” He also added that appointing Gross to oversee the Boston Police Department sends a strong message. He explained, “It’s a big statement for the police department, for the Commonwealth and for the city of Boston.” William Gross - who will be ushering in a new era for a city that long struggled with perceptions of racism - pledged to continue working to strengthen relationships between police and their communities and combat what he called “senseless youth violence.” “If you want change, be the change. That’s why I became a police officer,” Gross told reporters after the Democratic Mayor announced his promotion. While Boston hasn’t seen the violent clashes between police and residents sparked in other cities by the shootings of black men, activists have long complained the city’s police force is too white. The department faced heavy criticism earlier this year when it posted a Black History Month tweet celebrating the late, former Boston Celtics coach Arnold “Red” Auerbach, who’s white. Evans later apologized, calling the tweet “insensitive.” The department also came under fire that same month after a widely shared video showed a white officer stopping and questioning a black man who was on his way to a barbershop. Civil rights activists said the confrontation was indicative of the way law enforcement routinely view black men with suspicion. Tanisha Sullivan, president of the Boston branch of the NAACP, said anytime a person of color ascends to a leadership position is a reason for hope. But she said it will only matter if Gross is given a voice at the table with city leaders and is empowered to lead the department forward. “It’s really not a win unless and until we are able to see evidence to suggest that Chief Gross — now Commissioner Gross — has been able to activate the power of his diversity and we’ll know that by the direction the department goes in.” Gross was honored in June by being awarded with the 2018 Robert F. Kennedy Embracing the Legacy Award. And the department released a statement saying, “The award is given to those who work tirelessly to carry on the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy by raising awareness and fighting against societal injustice and inequity that affect children and families. From all of us here at the BPD we say congratulations Chief!” Walsh was not the only person who felt strongly that Gross was the best appointment for the position. Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley also said, “Having worked with Willie for many years, I know he brings the highest traditions of law enforcement to the job along with a modern view of policing and community engagement. He will be an outstanding leader in his own right and has my full support moving forward.”
KIDS ALLOWED PRESCHOOL 600 N. BROADWAY YONKERS, NY 10701 (914) 349-9200 M-F 7AM-7PM
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AUGUST 2018
REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
BLACK WESTCHESTER 23
FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK
MLK’S DREAM WAS ABOUT JOBS & JUSTICE
BY DAMON K. JONES
The historic March in Washington on August 28, 1963, was about more than a dream. “The Great March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, as ‘right-to-work.’ It provides no ‘rights’ and no ‘works.’ Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining… We demand this fraud be stopped.” The need for jobs and shared economic prosperity remains as urgent and compelling today as it was 49 years ago. To show how profound MLK’s vision was, in 2018, the right to work rhetoric is high on the agenda of Republicans and President #45. MLK’s prophetic words about ‘Right-to-Work false slogans have come true in present-day politics. This false slogan is currently used by Republicans to confuse their constituents that these laws have something to do with the giving workers the right to work. As the Republican-controlled Congress with Republican President #45, it is no secret that big business bankrolls electoral campaigns. The Right-to-Work legislation is clear proof of false rhetoric that will further obliterate good wages throughout the nation. The Economic Policy Institute reported, wages are 3.1 percent lower in Right-to-Work states for both union and non-union workers, even after calculating differences in cost of living, demographics and the local labor market. Under President #45 and Republican Control Congress this would be a reality nationwide as workers would now have less bargaining power. MLK was right, we didn’t listen, and now we are in a fight harder than when he spoke these truths. The false Right-toWork slogan does nothing to create jobs, grow the middle class, improve the lives of workers and destroys all unionize labor. I have watched how the media, through past articles and illustrations, have slowly painted a grim picture to the hard-working taxpayers that are dedicated, hardworking civil service workers and unions are to blame for high tax rates and governments economic downfall. This rhetoric s to spoil the reader’s mind and gather the support to reverse any and all legislation that protects workers’ rights and benefits. We have the greatest workers in the world because of labor rights, but now the rights and economic strength of America’s middle class is at risk now than ever before. This is a systematic assault through legislation by politicians that campaigns are usually supported by big businesses and the wealthy. Legislation to change funding for Education, Incarceration, Healthcare and Social Services are now fair game. The poor and middle class cannot donate big money to politicians, therefore, they have become no better than ‘hit men’ for legislation assassination and the collateral damage are the many poor and middle-class families in America. There’s a reason we have collective bargaining in this country because we know that workers have a right— should have a right— to bond together to improve the workplace, to improve the working conditions, and when they do, those rights flow to the rest of middle class working families in this country. To attack labor and labor rights is to attack every person’s civil rights ultimately. Unfortunately, the silence of Union leaders collectively has been a sad disappointment to those union members who without question pay union dues for representation. Unions standing up and speaking truth to power in the past have accomplished victories for every worker. That’s why you have an eight-hour day. That’s why you have vacation time. That’s why you have health care. That’s how you achieved overtime whether in the union or not. Now they want to take away the rights of unions to organize in the workplace and the rights of workers to organize. While the people fail to realize when they take these rights away from organized labor they ultimately will take the rights away from the private sector employee. These days union leaders give politicians their money and not openly hold them accountable for their failure in protecting the rights and benefits of America’s middle class. Labor unions will not be able to go to their membership and say let’s vote for this one or that one again. The membership will respond; what have they done for us? And union leaders will look blank faced. Many clergy leaders are facing the same dilemma as union leaders— especially black clergy. How will their congregation follow their lead to support a candidate that only visits the church around election time when family members are out of work, poorly educated, homeless and incarcerated? When voters are deceived about the actual policies a candidate plans to enact; democracy is undermined just as inevitably as if they are physically prevented from casting their ballot. Is it time for a new type of political party? If the Democrats do not want or cannot vigorously stand up for the rights and benefits, preserve legislation of the poor and middle class, then it’s time for the unions, middle class and community leaders to pull their money from the Democratic Party. It’s time to stop raising money for them and organize to find our candidate to run for open political positions. If done correctly, it will force the Democratic Party to act on our issues like the Far Right has forced the Republicans to address their concerns and their agenda. This is what Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor Peoples campaign was all about. The Poor People’s Campaign was to address issues of economic justice and housing for the poor in the United States, aiming itself at rebuilding America’s cities. Martin Luther King Jr. labeled the Poor People’s Campaign the “second phase,” of the civil rights struggle— setting goals such as gathering activists to lobby Congress for an “Economic Bill of Rights.” Dr. King also saw a crying need to confront a Congress that had demonstrated its “hostility to the poor “, appropriating “military funds with alacrity and generosity,” but providing “poverty funds with miserliness.” Unfortunately, since 1963, there hasn’t been any relevant change in the situation of the poor in Westchester as well as the rest of the United States. ` As usual, what hurts White Middle-Class Workers decimates Black MiddleClass Workers. The rate for black Americans has never been less than 66 percent higher than that for whites — and since January 1974, it has been at least twice the rate for Whites 80 percent of the time.
Government jobs, long considered the most secure form of employment in America, a safety net for Black America, these jobs have rapidly disappeared since December 2007. The tax rhetoric is no different that the Right-to-Work is nothing but a cover to attack the everyday worker, union member and middle class If the middle class can truly come together collectively, we can end the assumptions of the media and out of touch financial specialists’ that it is labors fault for the financial condition of the county and state. Then and only then the middle class can say: Do not expect to remain in office or be elected if you do not truly embrace accountability and balance at all levels. It’s time for the middle class to demand this fraud be stopped. Martin’s dream must continue, but we can’t be cowards in speaking “Truth to Power.
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24BLACK WESTCHESTER
AUGUST 2018
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
SINGLE MOM CHRONICLES
MONEY MATTERS: 4 WAYS TO RAISE A FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CHILD BY YASMIN HURSTON
As a parent you play a large role in helping to form your child’s money habits. If you want your child to grow up with healthy money habits, start as early as possible. The following are four tips that will help you raise money responsible children.
1. GIVE YOUR CHILD AN ALLOWANCE
Receiving an allowance is your child’s first experience with having money of their own. Learning how to deal with money from a young age is crucial to financial success in the future. They will learn that when they spend money they will need to begin saving again for the next thing they want. Children as young as five years old should begin receiving an allowance and start learning how money works. Dealing with an allowance is also a good way for your child to practice his math.
2. PROMOTE SAVING MONEY FROM THE START
As soon as your child begins receiving an allowance they should learn the importance of long-term saving. If your child receives a five dollar allowance, don’t give them a five dollar bill. Instead give them small denominations that make it easier to divide the money between savings, charity, and pocket-money. Discuss with your child the reasons why saving money is important. They might not understand at such a young age, but as they get older and see their savings continue to grow they will be impressed with how much they’ve managed to save. Teach your child the difference between long-term savings and short-term savings. If your child wants a toy that cost $50, they need to save from their pocket money instead of withdrawing from their long-term savings.
3. ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO EARN EXTRA MONEY
A child shouldn’t be paid for doing things such as helping with dinner, setting the
table, and cleaning their room, but if they want to earn extra money by doing bigger chores such as washing windows or vacuuming one floor of the house, or washing the car, they can do those types of chores. This is better than just simply handing them more money when they ask for it. They will learn that to get the extra money they want or need, they have to work for it. This will help to instill a good work ethic and respect for money in your child.
4. BE A GOOD EXAMPLE
Telling your child about money and how to manage it is one thing, but seeing you taking your own advice is equally important. Take your child to the bank with you and let them see you pay bills and add to your own savings account. The best role model for your child is to not keeping all money discussions private. Let your child hear you discuss needing to save money for the new car your family wants and how you can save money on the week’s groceries. When you shop, compare prices with your child and teach them how to find the best value. Teaching your child about money from an early age will set them up for financial responsibility for their entire life. Yasmin ‘Yas’ Hurston is the Executive Producer of OnPoint! Experience radio show and President of SAY YAS Productions. In addition, she is a football mom! Check out Yas Hurston’s blog Single Mom Chronicle at http://onpointradioshow. com/blog/
ALRIGHT SO BOOM: BACK TO SCHOOL ADVICE
BY DENNIS RICHMOND JR.
My name is Dennis Richmond, Jr. and I am second year graduate school student at Sarah Lawrence College. I am the Founder and Director of The New York-New Jersey Historically Black College and University Initiative (The NYNJ HBCU Initiative). For years, I have beaten the drum for HBCUs across the country. I have gained the support of people from many ages and from many backgrounds. Some of The NYNJ HBCU Initiative’s sponsors include the Executive Director of the Nepperhan Community Center in Yonkers, Dr. Jim Bostic, Th.D., New York State Senators Shelley Mayer and Andrea Stewart-Cousins, New York State Assembly members J. Gary Pretlow and N. Nick Perry, and rapper, songwriter, and business owner Jadakiss. I have also gained the support of rapper and former Love & Hip Hop: New York cast member Cardi B. With the Back to School season approaching rapidly for students across the country, it is imperative that students have an idea about what they need to do. I would like to offer some advice to high school students and college students. First off, for all the high school students in New York, please be sure to study diligently for your Regents Exams. I understand that these exams may be trying, but they are possible to pass. Trust me. I failed the Earth Science regents two or three times before I finally passed. Don’t give up. For all the college students headed back to school, be sure to begin studying early for exams like the Praxis and the GRE. Different graduate schools look at these scores differently, but it is important to try your best. For all the high school seniors, and as I refer to them, my “little sisters� and my “little bruvas�, make sure that you choose at least six colleges that you wish attend. No matter what your background is, for every predominately white institution or state school that you choose, be sure to choose an HBCU. If you choose three schools in New York, be sure to include three HBCUs. College students, it is never too late to apply for scholarships. Make an account on UNCF’s website and be sure to update your profile weekly. My last piece of advice is something that I cannot stress enough, and this is for all students. Please make sure to keep a professional presence on social media. You never know who is looking at what you post, and you do not want to take any chances of potential employers or people in positions of power getting the wrong impression. Feel free to reach out to me on social media @NewYorkStakz or give me a call at 914.374.9897.
‘Â?‡ “—‡Â?…Š ›‘—” –Š‹”•– ™‹–Š •‘Â?‰• ‘ˆ ™‘”•Š‹’ ƒ– –Š‡ ƒ–—”†ƒ› – —‰—•– ͳͳǥ ʹͲͳͺ ‹Â?‡ǣ ʹǣͲͲ’Â? – ͜ǣͲͲ’Â? Š‡Ž† ƒ– –Š‡ ‘Â?Â?‡”• —„Ž‹… ‹„”ƒ”› Íł ƒ”Â?‹Â? ‡Â?–‡”ǥ ‘Â?Â?‡”•ǥ ͳͲ͚Ͳͳ
featuring the:
SolidRock Christian Center Along with other Musical Artist Sponsored by : Pastors William & Tamara Norman Co sponsored by: Council woman Shanae V. Williams
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www.Shanesfocus.com s.focus14@gmail.com
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26 BLACK WESTCHESTER
AUGUST 2018
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
BLACK WESTCHESTER - THE LAST WORD BLACK WESTCHESTER
WITH AJ WOODSON
Let’s see, there is so much going on locally and nationally, but before I get started allow me to again thank everyone who made this one year anniversary issue possible. Ok let’s get to it. The Appellate Division refused to vacate the TRO preventing Mount Vernon Mayor, Richard Thomas from doing any further work in Memorial Field. That didn’t stop him from flying out to California to chill with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to enlist his support in the Memorial Field renovation. Thomas continues to go against the City Council, the County and the Courts. Continuing to promote his personal propaganda, the way the Trump Administration is trying to change the narrative of claims of collusion with confusion. The comparisons between Trump and Thomas are unbelievable. The trial of former Trump Campaign Manager Paul Manafort gets underway, while the president is off giving speeches on border security, immigration and voter id, “If you go out to buy groceries, you need id, you need a picture on a card.” Beside being so provably false, it obviously Trump hasn’t been grocery shopping in awhile and probably cannot tell you the price of a gallon of milk. One thing he did not talk about in his lengthy speach that included, talking about the phrase Merry Christmas in the middle of the summer, was the 600 plus children detained by his draconian policy and who still have not been reunited with their families despite a court order. Thomas isn’t the only one needing a temporary restraining order against him to prevent him from doing more harm, the NYS Attorney General’s office just secured a TRO to block the Trump Administration from allowing the distribution of 3-D printer gun files, ok enough of Thomas and Trump or we will be here all day discussing their disregard and disrespect for the other branches of government and the people they were elected to represent. Talking about questionable elections, Facebook announced it took down 32 pages and accounts because of “coordinated inauthentic behavior,” that they say are consistant with Internet Research Agency (IRA), the Kremlin-backed organization of Russian operatives that flooded Facebook with disinformation around the 2016 election, Facebook said. More political interference is feared as we are less than 100 days away from the 2018 midterm elections, that has the ability to be a power shift in congress.
Senator Bernie Sanders introduces the No Money Bail Act in the senate, stating the United States of America has criminalized poverty in a broken criminal justice system. Calling attention to sixty-five percent, over 400,000 people who have not been convicted of a crime, that are sitting in jail awaiting trial, simply because they cannot afford bail. Spending weeks or more in jail, many lose their jobs and have trouble finding new work after they are released. They are disproportionately African-American, Latino and Native American. “We have over 2 million people in jail, more than any other nation on earth, and they are disproportionately African-American, Latino, and Native American. We spend $80 billion a year keeping people behind bars, money which could be used for education, job creation and affordable housing,” Sanders stated. “The decision to put someone behind bars should never be decided based on how much money a person has, or what kind of mood the judge is in on a given day, or even what judge the case happens to come before. In a country where we pride ourselves on the principle “innocent until proven guilty,” we should not be keeping hundreds of thousands of people locked up before they have actually been convicted of a crime simply because they can’t afford bail.” Let’s see whatelse is in the news, oh yeah, Tuesday, July 31st marked 53 years Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law and became a lifeline for more than 55 million Americans... Gotta give props to Lebron James for opening a school
for at-risk youth in his hometown of Akron, Ohio (see page 9)... Ofo, a bike sharing app, said on July 23 it was closing up shop and will no longer move forward in Westchester. So it is donating 100 bikes to the Town of Greenburgh.Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said he made it his mission to find homes that need the bikes most. Feiner is asking anyone interested to contact him via email at pfeiner@greenburghny.com... Immigration activists rallied Monday, July 30th in White Plains in support of a recently deported father of three. The protest took place in front of the Westchester County building. Cristobal Paute illegally emigrated to the U.S. with his parents 18 years ago. Paute is an immigrant from Ecuador who entered the country illegally. Immigration advocates are questioning Paute’s deportation, saying his case was still pending with the Immigration Board of Appeals... Commuters, expect lane closures on the Saw Mill River Parkway. Staring Monday, July 30th, state officials say there will be weekday single- and double-lane closures.The closures will be between the New York City line and Exit 4. They are expected on the northbound side of the parkway from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on the southbound side from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The construction is expected to run until Friday, Aug. 10... Health officials in Westchester County say mosquitoes in the area have tested positive for West Nile virus.The Journal News reports the Westchester County Health Department confirmed two batches of mosquitoes collected in Yonkers tested positive for the virus. There were 134 batches tested in the county. Once again we like to thank everyone for all your support as we celebrate the one year anniversary of the newspaper, until next month, peace!!!
TRANSFORMING
CREATING JOBS The Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (YIDA), a public benefit corporation, provides business development incentives to enhance economic development and job growth in the City of Yonkers.
• Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides paid apprenticeships in a variety of union building trades for residents 18–24 who are unemployed or underemployed.
Together with Mayor Mike Spano and the Yonkers Economic Development Corporation, the YIDA has supported real estate development and business growth that is transforming the city and creating jobs.
• More than $2.5 billion in private investment in economic development over past six years.
We’re building Yonkers, and creating jobs!
YONKERSIDA.COM
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The Yonkers Firefighters of IAFF Local 628 are proud to support BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE and we congratulate you on your
One Year Anniversary
Barry B. McGoey, President George Rocha, Vice President
Dominick Fornabaio, Tresurer Gregory de Sousa, Recording Secretary Louis Vellucci & Keith Piersall, Trustees
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ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
COMPLIMENTARY
Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas
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