Volume 6/ Issue 1 BW August 15, 2022 Issue

PROUDLY ENDORSES

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

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.

K. JONES

Founded in 2014 by DAMON

AJ WOODSON

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DAMON K. JONES

@DamonKJones

Editor-In-Chief

AJ WOODSON

@BWEditorInChief

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Brenda L. Crump

News Reporters/ Writers

AJ Woodson

Damon K. Jones

Olivia Barrios-Johnson

Dennis Richmond Jr.

Photographers

AJ Woodson

Graphic Designers

AJ Woodson

Paula S. Woodson/

PS Visually Speakin’

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Letters To The Editor

BWEditorInChief@gmail.com

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 portrayed 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

Welcome to our August 15, 2022 Issue, Our Five-Year Anniversary Issue

With the primary approaching, we proudlt announce our endorsement of Congressman Jamaal Bowman for re-election in the 16th Congressional District. August is also Black-Owned Business Month and we spotlighted two new business, Bougie Brews Coffee Shop in Yonkers and Mrz Hulk 4 Life a new Black-Owned Comic Book Store, stop by both businesses and tell them Black Westchester sent ya I want to thank all who came out to my official book launch, of my new book Black Westchester - The Origin Story & How My Faith Was Instrumental In This Great Experiment on Thursday, July 21st at the Mount Vernon Public Library as part of the R.I.S.E.U.P.’s monthly Decypher Author Series. Also if you are available join me Saturday, August 20th for my book signing at the Greenburgh Public Library. Thank you to all who purchased my book. It is available on Amazon. We are always looking for photographers, writers, editors and individuals to sell advertising and help with distribution. We are also looking for interns to help in all the aforementioned areas in addition to graphic artists and help running and maintaining the website. If you are interested please contact us at BWEditorInChief@ gmail.com

We would like to take this time to thank all the readers, listeners, supporters, sponsors, contributors, and advertisers for their support in our effort to deliver the “News With The Black Point Of View,” since 2014. Send us your feedback, let us know what you think of this issue. Let us know subjects/topics you would like to see us cover in the future and send your letters to the editor to BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com.

Peace and Blessings

AJ Woodson, Editor-In-Chief and Co-Owner

BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY CLAIMS OF ADVERTISEMENTS THAT APPEAR IN PRINT OR ANY OTHER DIGITAL OR AUDIO FORMAT. ADVERTISEMENTS DO NOT INFLUENCE EDITORIAL DECISIONS OR CONTENT, WE ARE THE FREE PRESS!

ART EXHIBITION HONORING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF THE LATE DMX COMING TO YONKERS THIS FALL!

(YONKERS, AUGUST 2022) Municipal Housing Authority of Yonkers (MHACY) and Philipse Manor Hall (PMH) have partnered with Yonkers Arts to curate an exhibition honoring the late Earl Simmons, also known as DMX this September. The exhibition’s title, “Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story” will be a part of the grand re-opening of Philipse Manor Hall and will be the first time the friends of PMH has offered a popular history topic to their audience.

“Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story” is an introspective look at the life of the artist DMX, and the man Earl Simmons. Explore his triumphs and his struggles in Yonkers, from childhood to the glory days, and the tragic end. The exhibition is a time capsule that spans multiple mediums that showcase the complexities of Earl Simmons, through the eyes of friends, family, and those who lived it with him.

The exhibition will be co-curated by Ray Wilcox of Yonkers Arts with curation and creative support from Raissa Fitzgerald and Wilson Kimball of MHACY. PMH will be the first to feature a collection of never before seen images of the Yonkers icon, the places he frequented, and the millions of people his voice touched. “Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story” is a humanistic appreciation of what Earl Simmons, aka DMX meant to the culture, to hip hop music and to the city of Yonkers.

“The exhibition is designed to create dialogue and interpersonal conversations of what Earl the Man, and DMX the artist meant to each and every one of us. Look Thru My Eyes, puts the viewer in the position to experience the moments of DMX’s life; from Yonkers all the way to Hollywood,” states Ray Wilcox. “We all experienced ‘X’s voice and impact in different ways. I’m just trying to spark conversation pieces that connect us all based on the visual references presented.”

DMX grew up in public housing in Yonkers against the backdrop of the crack and AIDS epidemics. Urban centers like Yonkers and public housing like MHACY in the 1980’s were crumbling with few opportunities for bright, young, black men. Wilson Kimball, CEO of MHACY states, “DMX rose from those ashes. Throughout his tragically short career he was a poet, a truth teller, an artist, a musician, an actor, a writer, a father, a husband, and a son.”

Witness portraits and images from some of the most prominent photographers, like Yonkers’ based ‘celebrity & lifestyle’ photographer Shareif Ziyadat, who captured many of DMX’s key moments throughout his career. Media and graphic support to be provided by Def Jam. Fashion references, advertisements, and samples provided by Timbaland. And much more. The exhibition also provides an opportunity for local artists to submit their best representations of DMX and what he meant to them. This call for art will expire Monday August 15th. Earl Simmons better known as DMX (“Dark Man X”), was a Yonkers bred rapper and actor. He was the first artist to debut an album at No. 1 five times in a row on the Billboard 200 charts.Overall, DMX sold over 74 million records worldwide.DMX died on April 9, 2021, following a drug related heart attack.

“Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story” is brought to you by the NYS Parks Department, Friends of Philipse Manor Hall, Municipal Housing Authority, & Yonkers Arts.

SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED: BIDEN SIGNS INFLATION REDUCTION BILL

The legislation, though less than Biden originally wanted, brings the largest investment to fight climate change in United States history.

President Joe Biden has signed a $740bn climate change, healthcare and tax bill into law, handing the Democratic Party a much-needed win ahead of the November midterm elections.

In a signing ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, Biden heralded the Inflation Reduction Act for its record investment towards cutting carbon emissions. The bill includes nearly $370bn meant to encourage a shift away from fossil fuels, although some allege that it does not go nearly far enough.

“The American people won and the special interests lost,” Biden said during a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday. “This bill is the biggest step forward on climate, ever.”

The estimated $740bn package is made up of $440bn in new spending and $300bn towards easing deficits.

The bill’s passage represents one of the most substantial victories for Biden’s legislative agenda to date. His Democratic Party hopes it may help convince voters that it has been able to deliver on fundamental promises, even with a thin majority in Congress that has given leverage to more conservative Democrats allied with the fossil fuel industry.

Earlier versions of Biden’s legislative agenda would have included more than $3 trillion to move away from fossil fuels, establish universal childcare, paid family and medical leave, and expand healthcare, among other provisions.

However, those ambitions were shaved down little by little in order to make the legislation more acceptable to Democrats such as Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who have received large donations from corporate interests and demanded a smaller bill with less spending.

Advocates of more robust climate action see the final result as an incomplete but mostly positive step forward.

The legislation requires the Interior Department “to offer at least 2 million acres of public lands and 60 million acres of offshore waters for oil and gas leasing each year for a decade as a prerequisite to installing any new solar or wind energy,” according to the conservation group the Center for Biological Diversity. It called those provisions “Manchin Poison Pills”.

The law also includes more than $4bn in funds to help western US states such as California and Arizona cope with record droughts that have strained water supplies and contributed to enormous wildfires.

Healthcare is another component of the bill, which includes $64bn to help people cover health insurance premiums. It also includes a $2,000 yearly cap on prescription drug costs for Americans who receive health insurance through Medicare.

The Republican Party has strongly opposed the legislation at every step, and no Republican legislator has voted for the bill in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, the two legislative houses that make up the US Congress.

The GOP has hammered Biden for inflation that has caused the cost of living to increase, and while the law is named the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), analysts doubt that it will have a strong effect on current inflation.

Republicans have focused much of their criticism on new funds for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the US federal tax collection agency

The Biden administration has countered claims from Republican lawmakers that everyday families will pay a steeper tax bill, and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has instructed the IRS to focus enforcement activities on households and companies that make upwards of $400,000 a year

A January poll by Data for Progress, a progressive polling institute, found that Americans support more rigorous enforcement of tax laws against wealthy Americans by substantial margins. Just seven percent of respondents said that the IRS should conduct fewer audits of millionaires and large corporations, and 73 percent said the agency should be conducting more.

The law is estimated to bring in $740bn in revenue over the next 10 years, from a combination of higher taxes on wealthy corporations, levies on stock buybacks, and stronger enforcement of tax laws on high-income households.

It is unclear what impact the legislation will have on voters as the US nears the November 8 midterm elections, where the party in power typically loses ground to the opposition. However, Democrats hope that a number of recent accomplishments, such as expanding veteran healthcare, investments in US tech manufacturing, and mild gun reform will help their chances.

They also hope that voters will be turned off by an increasingly extreme Republican Party, which has promoted the lie that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump through widespread voter fraud and passed strict abortion bans in numerous states.

“We’ve not wavered, we’ve not flinched and we’ve not given in,” Biden said. “Instead, we’re delivering results for the American people.”

TOWN OF GREENBURGH SELECTS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLICE CHIEF

BY AJ WOODSON

“There are so many people who played a vital role in this appointment and I wanted to go on the record of ensuring we thank them all: The Chairs of GASR Law Enforcement, Police Community Advisory Board, White Plains/ Greenburgh NAACP and the representative for the Council of Civic Associations who too unanimously voted in this appointment,” said Jackson who has placed a special emphasis on working on initiatives that center on highlighting and elevating diversity and inclusion.

Chief Powell will assume the position on August 22, 2022. There will be a formal ceremony at our September 14, 2022, Town Board meeting.

“Chief Powell’s story of “ascending through the ranks,” during his nearly 25-year tenure with the GPD, to ultimately oversee our PD, staffed by 115 sworn officers and 42 civilian members and with an annual budget of $25.5 million, reflects our new Chief’s perseverance and his dedication to Greenburgh and its residents. Chief Powell’s drive and commitment to law enforcement and personal/professional excellence has been the hallmark of his success,” Town Supervisor Paul Feiner shared with Black Westchester.

Captain Kobie Powell has been selected as Greenburgh’s 9th Chief of Police. The First African American to Hold Position. Greenburgh, New York—Friday, August 12, the Town Board will pass a resolution to appoint Captain Powell to the role of Chief of Police for the town of Greenburgh. This historic moment for our town will be held at the Greenburgh Town Hall at 4pm with a follow up pinning ceremony will take place at our next scheduled town board meeting on Wednesday, September 14th.

A 24-year veteran of the Greenburgh Police Department, Captain Powell began serving in 1998 serving progressed through every sworn rank in the department during his career. In April, Captain Kobie Powell received an historic appointment as the first African-American to serve as Greenburgh Police Captain, the second highest rank in the department

“This is truly an HISTORIC moment for the Town. I am extremely honored and exceedingly proud to play in this an important role in appointing the Town’s first African-American Chief of Police,” Town Councilwoman Gina Jackson shared with Black Westchester. “This appointment represents the home-grown talent in Greenburgh prepared to lead one of the most important and critical Town’s operation. I know he is not only capable and qualified but IS ready to protect and serve our community with integrity.”

Captain Powell’s career began as an Emergency Medical Technician and police officer, followed by years as a supervisor in both the Patrol and Detective Divisions. He served the last 5 years on the department’s command staff, reporting directly to the Chief of Police. Participated on various community committees, such as Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) and Greenburgh Against Systemic Racism Law Enforcement (GASR) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

YOUTH SHELTER PROGRAM OF WESTCHESTER TO RECEIVE $250K DONATION

been providing a home-like alternative to incarceration programming for young men between the ages of 18-24 awaiting disposition or sentenced to incarceration for various criminal charges. The Youth Shelter’s staff and leadership team are instrumental in elevating the voice of justice involved youth within our community and abroad.

Currently the Youth Shelter serves as the lead community-based provider for the City of Mount Vernon’s Emerging Adult Justice specialty court, a pilot program designed to connect certain emerging adult offenders, who may benefit in outsized ways from early intervention, with community services and the possibility for noncustodial sentences or dismissal of charges if those emerging adults successfully complete the pilot program’s requirements.

Annually through both of our programs (residential and community aftercare) the Youth Shelter serves over 150 youth with a 90% pass/ improvement rate on all our academic standardized tests to ensure all of our youth are on track to obtain their high school equivalency diploma. Over the past two years we have achieved the following outcomes with our youth: 40% complete vocational training, 28% gain unsubsidized employment and less than 10% of our youth are rearrested or reoffended which is our greatest success!

MT. VERNON, NY – As a result of an incredible partnership with the Vera Institute, the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester will be receiving a $250,000 unrestricted operating grant. Earlier this year, Vera received a general support grant from MacKenzie Scott and made a commitment to share 25% percent of this unexpected benefit in a series of unrestricted community grants.

It was only one year ago, when the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester was selected to be one of just eight sites throughout the country to participate in the Motion for Justice, Reshaping Prosecution initiative through Vera, to learn how to move from overcriminalization to thriving communities.

Vera President Nicholas R. Turner stated, “At Vera, we are committed to building not just our own power, but that of our partners and the field in which we work, and this is one tangible way in which we can do so.”

Joanne Dunn, Executive Director of the Youth Shelter said, “We are so honored to be selected for this very generous grant. It will support The Shelter with the critical funding needed to expand existing programs and serve the community in meaningful ways.”

For over 40 years, the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester, Inc. has

YSOW is one of its kind throughout NYS and serves as the ONLY alternative to incarceration programming within Westchester County, NY to serve emerging adults within the criminal justice system. We work directly with the local city and county court systems, the Westchester District Attorney’s office, Westchester County Department of Corrections, and the local police departments throughout the County (i.e., Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Yonkers) and our partners at the Vera Institute to help inform our work and reimagine justice. It is with this funding that we will be able to continue focusing on the societal well-being of our community and youth by providing age-appropriate solutions to justice.

For more information about the Youth Shelter visit www.ysow.org

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE REV. DR. DEQUINCY M. HENTZ PASTOR OF SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH IN NEW ROCHELLE

Hentz received the first Evans E. Crawford Preaching Award, which is given to the student who best displays the attributes of scholarly preaching. Upon his graduation, he was awarded the W.O. Carrington Preaching Award, which recognized him as the top preaching student of his graduating class. While pastoring at Shiloh he pursued a doctorate, and in January 2018 Pastor Hentz defended and received the Doctor of Arts in Marriage and Family Studies from Eastern University, Philadelphia, PA. This man of God clearly distinguished himself among the most gifted, yet he continued to remain humble to his calling and ministry.

His dynamic leadership and charismatic preaching voice lead to an increase in Shiloh church attendance. Ministries within the church and outreach to the community have expanded, and the church’s vision of a 40-unit Senior Housing complex has become real. The facility was completed, and residents moved in January 2013. Pastor Hentz started a church, Family of God (FOG) Church, located in Co-Op City, of the Bronx, New York City, a vision he had birthed more than ten years ago.

Shiloh Baptist Church of New Rochelle, N.Y. will be celebrating the life and legacy of their former Pastor, the Late Rev. Dr. DeQuincy M. Hentz. A graduate of Morehouse College and Howard University School of Divinity, Dr. Hentz was a social justice leader, clinician, historian, writer, and poet, who fought for the common man and woman, for children and against inequity and racism.

Dr. DeQuincy M. Hentz was the fifth Pastor in the 123-year history of Shiloh Baptist Church. He was called to the pastorate of Shiloh in July 2005 and served there until his untimely death on December 25, 2020.

The public is invited to a memorial service for Dr. Hentz on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. You are invited to share your memories and make acknowledgements between the hours of 3:00 and 4:00 pm. Immediately following the reflections at 3:00 pm, the Celebration Program will commence.

Remembering Rev. Dr. DeQuincy M. Hentz

Pastor Hentz was a native of Greenwood, South Carolina. He was born in Greenwood County. He was the son of the Reverend Furman Mitchell Miller, Jr. and Ms. Mary Alice Hentz. He graduated from Greenwood High School in May 1992.

Pastor Hentz was a 1996 Cum Laude graduate of Morehouse College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and History. In 1999, he received his Master of Divinity Degree from the Howard University School of Divinity. As a student at Howard, Pastor

Dr. Hentz was an activist and leader on both a local and national scale. He was a leader of the “Enough is Enough” Campaign for Corporate Responsibility in Entertainment, a 15-month protest in New York City and Washington, D.C. that served to expose the problem of adult-themed content being marketed to children and youth. From 2004 to 2008, he served as a Co-Convener for Progressive National Baptist Convention’s Minister’s Seminar. He also served on the Executive Boards of the Interreligious Council of New Rochelle (Executive Vice President), the Christian Action Ministry, the New Rochelle Branch of the NAACP (Housing Committee Chair), and the New Rochelle Community Action Program.

Dr. Hentz was a gifted man of God who preached, taught, wrote, rapped, and poeticized. He was frequently called upon to speak or preach to varying audiences of all ages across the nation near and far. He received numerous awards, accolades, and citations. Of special recognition, Pastor Hentz was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in 2001 and was included as a contributor to a book honoring the golden (50th) anniversary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, The Best of PNBC: The First 50 Years, Volume Three. Dr. Hentz was a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, Beta Alpha Alpha Chapter of White Plains, NY. On December 25, 2020, after a period of illness, he was called from his earthly toils to his heavenly reward.

Black Westchester offers our prayers and thoughts to Rev. Hentz’ family, friends and church members!

MY 6TH GREAT GRANDFATHER YORK WAS FREE DURING WASHINGTON’S PRESIDENCY

BY DENNIS RICHMOND JR

As a historian, you should tell the truth. We live in an era where people like to distort facts to fit their narrative. Trying to bury history is wrong and trying to change facts is corrupt. Good or bad, I always tell the stories of my ancestors. I’m excited to share the story of my Grandpa York.

America knows the story of slavery all too well. People talk about it, many historians have debated about it, and Americans never agree on its details. A lesser-known fact in American history is that of quasi-free Black Americans. Prior to the Civil War, not every Black person experienced slavery. My maternal ancestors come from a history of slavery in Berkeley County, South Carolina. My paternal ancestors, however, go back decades in this country as quasi-free Black Americans.

My great-grandmother Adele Matilda Merritt was born on Saturday, September 27th, 1913, in Greenwich, Connecticut. The President at the time of her birth was Woodrow Wilson. Adele was the daughter of John Sherman Merritt and Lelia Bell Robinson. John and Lelia were a beautiful couple. Adele’s grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Roselle Glover, born in 1871, was a poet. Adele’s great grandmother, Huldah Peck, was born on July 9th, 1833. The President at the time was Andrew Jackson.

In 1830, America had over 2 million slaves. My South Carolina ancestors were in that number. There were also over 300,000 free Black Americans. My Connecticut and New York ancestors were in that statistic. Huldah was one of the few to be born free.

My 4th great-grandmother, Huldah, grew up with privileges many Black girls never had during that time. Learning how to read and write, having a documented baptism, and living in a diverse community would have shaped her self-concept. Her maternal grandfather was named York Felmetta. York Felmetta is my 6th great-grandfather. Historian Jeffrey Bingham Mead describes the Felmetta family as, “one of the earliest black families in the Town of Greenwich.”

York is the oldest Black ancestor in my family that I have identified so far. He was born in colonial America c. 1771. Rev. Isaac Lewis, Sr., D.D., performed his baptism at Second Congregational Church in Greenwich on Saturday, November 24th, 1792. That was the same year of the second presidential election of George Washington. That

year of the second presidential election of George Washington. That was 230 years ago.

By 1801, York was married to Grandma Tamar, and the couple had a baby girl, my 5th great-grandmother Nancy. York and Tamar were Black Americans who lived free in Connecticut and New York. Though their lives were not perfect, they laid the fabric down for me to live and thrive today. The couple had two more children, and York conducted business with men across different states.

On December 8, 1803, York had a promissory note against Elnathan Husted for $132.75 in Greenwich, Connecticut. On May 29, 1805, York had another one against Caleb Russell for $90.00 in New Rochelle, New York. There was an endorsement on the promissory note on August 26th, 1808. York was a hardworking, family-oriented, Black American man.

+York Felmetta died in February of 1809 at 38 years old. He left a family, money, and a lavish estate inventory complete with a silver watch, two cows, an umbrella, and two spinning wheels. He also left something that no one could put a price on. York Felmetta left a legacy.

From left to right there’s my great grandmother, Adele Matilda Merritt, there’s her parents, John Sherman Merritt and Lelia Bell Robinson and there’s her paternal grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Roselle Glover

ASSEMBLY MEMBER NATHALIA FERNANDEZ AND THE IM PORTANCE OF REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT

BY OLIVIA BARRIOS-JOHNSON

reproductive rights, climate resilience, reducing gas emissions, increasing transportation access and improving infrastructure such as potholes. With the primaries scheduled for August 23rd, she is most excited to connect with the people of this district and to continue raising awareness of the issues they face.

“Everybody deserves to be seen and heard,” Fernandez said. “So, in me recognizing and speaking and learning from the diverse communities within my community, it only helps me to push for legislation that would not only affect the loudest constituents, but even the quietest constituents. This is me inserting myself. I’m coming to meet you where you are and to learn from you directly.”

Additionally, as a daughter of immigrant parents from Cuba and Colombia, Fernandez takes pride in where she comes from and strives for continued representation in positions of government for women of color.

“Growing up it’s always been scarce to see leaders like me, not even just the color of my skin but even the texture of my hair. Its been very rare to see leaders like me,” Fernandez said.

Also understanding this, is Emma Hernando, who self identifies as Cuban and is originally from Miami, Florida. She currently works at New Deal Strategies, a consulting firm that focuses on working on campaigns, causes, and electing “better Democrats.” As a press and digital associate, Hernando, 23, has worked closely with Fernandez on her campaign for District 34 state senate. Through this, she has learned about the “many shades of Democrat there are,” which has helped her to better understand the dynamics between this political party and its members.

In addition to that, Hernando is glad to work for a company that is woman-owned and consists of a team that is bilingual and majority women. She also takes pride in working alongside Fernandez and looks up to her as representation for women of color within government.

As a young girl she would walk around the neighborhood and supermarket with her mother introducing herself to people saying, “Hi my name’s Nati.” Today she does the same except she says, “Hi I am Nathalia Fernandez, I’m running for state senate.”

Nathalia Fernandez, a Democrat who serves as the New York State Assemblymember for the 80th Assembly District in the Bronx consisting of areas including Allerton, Pelham Gardens, Morris Park and others. While in this role, Fernandez has provided $125,000 in funding to Bronx Community College students, passed criminal justice and police reform bills, and most recently she has proposed a new bill called the 21st Century Anti-Stalking Act alongside New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D22-Brooklyn). With this bill, victims of online and digital harassment and stalking would be able to obtain a restraining order more easily.

“I have been a present, reliable, and responsive public servant. I don’t even like to say elected official, we are here to do a service and it’s important that we go to the people to hear what service is needed so we can properly deliver it.” Fernandez said.

Fernandez, 34, is also currently running for New York State Senate District 34, currently represented by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi in the upcoming primary. The Senate District covers parts of both The Bronx and Westchester County, and as reported, Biaggi has announced that she is now running for Congress in New York’s 17th congressional district.

Fernandez is excited to continue advocating for issues such as

Throughout their work together, Fernandez has provided Hernando with thoughtful conversations and mentorship regarding being a woman of color within politics and how to overcome impostor syndrome. Impostor syndrome is “also called perceived fraudulence, refers to an internal experience of self-doubt and believing you are not as competent as others perceive you to be” according to Simply Psychology.

“You never need to let yourself feel small in a room. You belong there, you deserve to be there,” Hernando said. “I feel like I’ve been treated as a professional and as someone who’s respected in my ability to get things done… It’s been really cool to be in that space where I’m seeing her (Fernandez) do these things and it’s like, anyone can do this, regardless of their background.

With the month of August just beginning and the primaries approaching, Fernandez has continued to secure endorsement from officials such as Bronx Borough President Vanessa L.Gibson, Senator Jamaal Bailey and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes who have remarked her as a “fearless voice” and “passionate fighter for criminal justice reform.” In addition, Pelham, NY Democrats, and New York State Nurses Association are among a few groups who have also endorsed her campaign.

“I really have to be thankful for the support systems out there as women, as women of color, that have come to me to give me this encouragement,” Fernandez said. “In the years that I’ve been in this world, and doing this work, it’s been so encouraging and motivating to see women before me and women behind me, just say ‘thank you because you said something…thank you for being a face for us”

Fernandez will face Christian Amato and John Perez in the August 23 Democratic Primary. Winner of the Democratic Primary will face Republican Hasmine Zerka in the November 8 General Election.

KEN JENKINS NAMED TO NATIONAL LEADERSHIP POST

The NACo Transportation Steering Committee works to shape policy on all matters pertaining to federal transportation legislation, funding and regulation and its impacts on county government, including highway and bridge development, finance and safety, public transit development and finance, transportation planning, airport development and service, passenger and freight railroads, ports and waterways, freight movement, and research and development of new modes of transportation.

“New York’s counties are on the cutting edge of multimodal transportation innovation and leadership and have a wealth of knowledge to share with other county leaders around the nation,” said Marte Sauerbrey, president of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC). “I’m proud to see members of our association taking their creative vision and passion for local government and public service to National Association of Counties (NACo).”

NACo serves nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo advocates for county priorities in federal policymaking, promotes exemplary county policies and practices, nurtures leadership skills, optimizes county and taxpayer resources and cost savings, and enriches the public’s understanding of county government.

The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), founded in 1925, is an affiliate of NACo and works closely with the organization to advance priorities of New York’s counties at the state and federal level.

At a recent Annual Conference in Adams County Colorado, the National Association of Counties (NACo) President Denise Winfrey tapped Jenkins to Chair the Transit/Rail Subcommittee of the NACo Transportation Steering Committee.

“Effective, reliable and sustainable transportation is critical to Westchester County families and I’m excited have a leadership role representing County Executive George Latimer and Westchester County advocating for smart investment in this critical infrastructure,” said Deputy County Executive Jenkins. “I’m honored to be chosen for this important leadership position with NACo.”

“As counties across New York State work to rebuild from the pandemic and respond to new and challenges and opportunities facing local government, it’s critical to have strong representation in the nation’s capital,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “Having Ken Jenkins from Westchester County, New York bring his talents and experience to the National Association of Counties (NACo) will help shape advocacy at the national level resulting in better, more resilient transportation modes in our great state and around the nation.”

Deputy Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins has been appointed to chair a national subcommittee addressing transit and rail policies facing counties across the nation.

BLACK WESTCHESTER ENDORSES JAMAAL BOWMAN IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 16

He has boldly and unapologetically spoken truth to power even when it wasn’t popular. Something that Black Westchester represents and encourages more of our people to do.

Black Westchester proudly announces today we are endorsing Congressman Jamaal Bowman for re-election in congressional district 16 in the August 28th Democratic Primary.

“We are proud to endorse Congressman Bowman as he runs for reelection. Our goal is to interview all the candidates –that want to be interviewed – in an effort to find the right ones who will fight and deliver for their communities, into office,” Black Westchester said in the statement.

“It is an absolute honor to be endorsed by Black Westchester, a local voice for communities who are often left out of dominant narratives,” Congressman Jamaal Bowman shared after getting the news of the endorsement. “Issues like racial and economic justice are at the heart of who I am–and what this publication represents. Thank you for believing in our campaign and acknowledging our work for this district.”

During the 2020 primaries, Rep. Bowman ran on the promise to deliver for NY-16’s most vulnerable communities.

“He ran on a platform that was focused on addressing racial justice, expanding affordable housing, a Green New Deal, Medicare For All, immigrant and women’s rights, restorative justice, a new deal for public education and for housing, LGBTQ rights, and fighting for environmental justice; issues that would most benefit vulnerable communities across New York. After watching him keep his promises in office, we are proud to endorse him now for re-election,” BW EditorIn-Chief AJ Woodson shared, “Congressman Bowman has stood for and with the people, not just gone with the status quo and has boldly and unapologetically spoken truth to power even when it wasn’t popular. Something that Black Westchester represents and encourages more of our people to do.”

He has stood with the Lincoln Avenue community leaders, advocates, and residents, and along with Sen. Schumer helped in securing Historic Nearly $12 Million Investment To Revitalize Downtown New Rochelle & Connect Communities. Stood with Sen Schumer to help bring $3 Mil to address Mount Vernon sewage crisis. He has stood advocates who marched down Pennsylvania Avenue advocating for political action on climate change. He has spoken up against senseless violence and police involved shootings and police violence in his district and has fought for healing and revitalizing schools in our district. He even stood with and was arrested alongside at least 20 others, including faith leaders and youth who have been hunger striking for our democracy, outside the U.S. Capitol Building just to name a few things he has done in his first term and why we feel he deserves to be re-elected.

“Congressman Bowmen has consistently shown his interest in all people of District 16. He has been the voice of the voiceless in Westchester in the congressional halls of Washington DC. We must keep a balance far from the usual political rhetoric we are used to hearing,” BW Publisher Damon K. Jones added.

Black Westchester proudly endorses Congressman Jamaal Bowman for re-election in the 16th Congressional district and encourages all our readers in his district to vote for him so he can continue fighting for us.

REMEMBERING CHARLES “HIPPO” WILLIAMS

BY AJ WOODSON

Former Mayor Ernie Davis (continued)

lot. I last saw hippo about 4 months ago and he jumped out of his truck when he saw me working in my yard... gave me a big hug and he thanked me for the opportunity to work for the city... and I promised to call him if I heard of roofing work. In this world of ordinary people.. extraordinary people iam glad for having met a young man we fondly remembered as “Hippo” ... may God bless his comings and going... may The God bless his family and friends in a special way!

The last one was from a brother names Ronald Fleming who sent his thought via email...

If you google the Williams Brothers of Mount Vernon, two names will come up NBA players Gus and Ray Williams. Everyone in the city of Mount Vernon of a certain age has a story about the brothers. But for me it was their younger brother who had a profound affect on my life. That was Charles ‘Hippo’ Williams.

When I met him he was a security guard at Mount Vernon High School. Being a rebel without a cause or a pause, I had plenty of interactions with all of the security guards. But at a time when I was trying to do everything I could to mess up my life, this brother saw something in me.

At the time I had stopped going to school, or atleast stopped going to classes. There was this one time I missed about 4 or 5 days of school all together, my parents had gotten divorced, I thought it was my fault, my grandfather Leroy James Henderson affectionately know as Fats had passed and I was on a destructive path.

So this brother we called Hippo (I don;t think I ever found out why) rode his bike to my house on Mundy Lane and rang the bell. I opened the door and ofcourse I was suprised to see Hippo at my door. He asked me to come outside and we walked down to in front of the laundramat on the corner and basically Hipp began to tell me how I was messing up

How I was better than this, how I didn’t need to be out in the streets. He told me I need to come back to school and stop cutting. All of this I had heard before and being hardheaded let go in one ear and out the other. But this was different, he looked me in my eyes and told me, he was going to treat me like a man and have this conversation with me, but I wanted to keep messing up the next conversation can involve my dad and my division principal Mr. Grimes.

I never had anyone come at me like that before and because of that conversation I was back in school the next day and that next conversation never took place. I share all of this to say the reason I am not dead or in jail like many I went to school with, was because of many people like Hippo, who for some reason saw something in me. I share this to say I hear many people talk about how the youth are out of control but it’s not them failing us, its us failing them.

I won’t pretend we were friends or I knew him and his family, but that interaction and many others are particially why I am here doing what I do today. All the accolades, awards, proclamations etc ofcourse first and foremost i give my parent credit but beyond them there was brothers like Hippo who invested in me and I will be forever thankful.

Even when I pretended like I was listening I remember most of what they told me and those words. This is my memory of Charles ‘Hippo’ Williams, his brothers may have made it to the NBA, but Hippo played an All-Star role in my life!

May he rest in peace, my condolences and prayer for hsi family, friends and all the other’s whose life he touched!!!

After posting some of this on Facebook and meeting his brother David, who introduced himself at my book launch at Mount Vernon Public Library I asked others for their memories. I got three before I had to go to print and here is what they had to say about Hippo.

The first person I heard from was Lowes Moore another brother from Mount Vernon who went to the NBA and knew the Williams brothers...

When we were young I remember Hippo being the nice person in the world. He was everybody friend. As a basketball player he was the first Dennis Rodman. Just selfless... He will truly be missed. - Lowes Moore

Former Mayor Ernie Davis, sent a text with this message...

Hippo was a unique personality... he became a known roofer and he didn’t mind letting you know it. I used his expertise for city work and had no trouble. He was fun to converse with and I learned a

The first family of basketball in my native Mount Vernon NY for a number of years was the Williams family led by the eldest brother Gus; Gus was an NBA Champion with the Seattle Supersonics.

Brother #2 the late Ray Williams was a mainstay and first round draft choice of the New York Knicks. Ending his NBA career in the hunt for an NBA championship playing for the Boston Celtics vs. the Los Angeles Lakers

Sam Williams was the third brother and a phenomenal high school scorer and good college player; finishing out his college career at the University of San Francisco.

The baby of the bunch was David “Scap” Williams who was a scary good basketball player whose game incorporated parts of his three older brothers.

But the guy who would sneak up on you with his game was the fourth brother Charles “Hippo” Williams who was a great competitor and an even better guy. I knew Hippo as a little boy, and later as a young man, with no change in his personality.

We lost Hippo the other day, as he went on to be with the Lord. I will always remember Hippo for his engaging personality making everyone around him comfortable.

#HIPPORESTINPEACE!

YOU WILL BE MISSED! #ONELOVE!

- From the desk of California City High School Boys

Basketball Coach Ronald Lee Fleming (born and raised in Mount Vernon NY), holder of five California State Records, two time Back 2 Back CIF Championship Coach, and five time author.

Black Westchester celebrates the life of Charles ‘Hippo’ Williams may he Rest In Peace!!!

BLACK-OWNED COFFEE SHOP BREWS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY & CULTURE

BY AJ WOODSON BOUGIE BREWS

A COMMUNITY- CENTRIC BLACK-OWNED COFFEE SHOP IN YONKERS

Bougie Brews (pronounced BOO-GEE Brews) is a sophisticated coffee & tea shop centrally located in the heart of Downtown Yonkers. They opened their doors on Main Street in May 2020. They endeavor to be a place for oldcomers and new comers alike to come together and build community with top quality products, great service, ultra-fast Wi Fi, in a chic, boutique-style atmosphere. Bougie Brews is committed to not only serving amazing coffee and delicious baked goods, but also providing a space for locals to gather for a causal brunch, early morning yoga class, mid-week game night, afternoon meetup, book reading and signings or spoken word event.

“When Charmaine Sanchez moved to Main Street in Yonkers from Brooklyn a little more than a year ago, the first thing she noticed was that there was no coffee shop nearby,” Lohud wrote July 6, 2020.

A self-decribed caffeine addict, she joked about it with her boyfriend Donte Charlton, a Yonkers native. His reply: “Why don’t you open one.”

Despite opening in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Sanchez’ determination no quit attitute with the support of her boyfriend resolved to make Bougie Brews communitycentric.

The word “Community” is featured prominently on a wall surrounded by photos of local Yonkers scenes (taken by Charlton) and Black icons such as Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Martin Luther King, Jr. There are also inspirational phrases scattered throughout such as “Breathe, relax, unwind” and “But first, coffee.”

“When we opened up two years ago, the pandemic had just started and it created challenges & obstacles beyond that of most first time business owners,” Charmaine Sanchez shared with Black Westchester. “Our goal then was to be a place within our community where people could connect. That

“remains our goal and we hope to continue to achieve it with every open mic, every game or movie night, and every conversation over coffee or tea.

We hope the people of Yonkers continue to embrace us as we continue grow and become a fixture in the Yonkers community.”

Their goal is two-fold: to consciously create a community-centered coffee shop that also serves a more personalized, boutique coffee experience for those new to the area looking to get their caffeine fix from a similarly bougie (or classy) establishment.

The draw is the coffee. The beans, from Brooklyn-based Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists, feature blends from Ethiopia, Argentina, and Brazil that Sanchez swears will have you

will have you wanting a second cup. In addition, you’ll find more than a dozen teas — Charlton is a big tea drinker — including pomegranate raspberry, Earl Grey blue flower, turmeric tea and ginger and lemongrass. He’s particularly proud of the Bougie Butter Chai, an iced chai latte swirled with butterscotch.

Then there is the food and the way the Black-owned coffee shop brews a sense of community and culture that makes Bougie Brews the perfect daytime, lounging coffee shop if you’re looking to settle in somewhere for a few hours to hang out with friends or throw in headphones and do some reading with a great layout so there are plenty of spots to tuck yourself away!

“I’m not a bar person so I was always interested in creating a place where you could get to know your neighbors,” said Sanchez. “At Bougie Brews, we’re really excited about people. Especially now, I think people are excited to get out, have a good cup of coffee and see other humans.”

That was her inspiration on opening this establishment that is about much more than just coffee. It’s a place for art, music and culture.

Bougie Brews is located at 52 Main Street, Yonkers. For more information visit their website www.bougiebrews.com and follow Bougie Brew on Instagram and Facebook @bougiebrewsyonkers

MRZ HULK 4 LIFE : A BLACK-OWNED COMIC BOOK STORE THAT WILL LEVEL UP YOUR FAN DOM

Mrz. Hulk 4 Life Comic & Cards is an interactive comic book store created for all ages, located in the downtown part of Money Earning Mount Vernon, NY a block before the MVPD.

Khaleelah Brown, raised in Mount Vernon, NY, used to collect comics as a child, but not knowing the value of them, they were discarded by her mom. Now as an adult with many different talents and creative businesses, she decided to get back into comics as a person very close to her convinced her to, so she did. I started selling them out of my house which became overwhelming and decided to open a comic book store.

“I began to search for a place and God blessed me with the location that I have now and it was only right to give back to the community that I was raised in,” Khaleelah shared with Black Westchester.

“I wanted the comic book store to be a place in the community that’s for the community. I wanted everyone to have a place to come to where they can relax, listen to music, be creative, read comic books and a safe place to just hang out.”

The atmosphere in the book store is just that. They have live Jazz on Thursday nights from 6pm to 8pm and will be having many other activities going on in the future.

“I have free video games and we will be hosting game tournaments real soon,” she added.

You can find all infomation posted on the website.

So why the name Mrz. Hulk 4 Life ?

“I have been fascinated by the live action series The Incredible Hulk since I was a little girl, never want to be SHE-Hulk,

always saw him as my knight in Green Armor. I loved how he always warned people by saying “you don’t want to get me angry, You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry,” I felt that way growing up and I vowed to be his wife from that moment on. So I thought naming the store Mrz. Hulk 4 Life was the best thing.”

Mrz, Hulk 4 Life has an extensive collection of comics from Archie to X-Men and everything in between. They purchase comics and all types of cards. They also offer consignment. I could go on but I promise you, this is one of those establishment you have to experience for yourself. The store is located in Downtown Stop by and tell them Black Westchester sent you. Khaleelah wants everyone to know, if anyone mentions that they saw the article they will receive 50% off their total purchase for the entire month of September 2022.

Khaleelah recieved a citation for Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, a recognition from Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and a plaque of recognition of the Mount Vernon Public Library at their annual Comic Expo held Sunday, August 7, 2022. Not bad for a Black-Owned Comic Book Store opened in July 2022

Mrz. Hulk 4 Life Comics and Cards

5 W. Prospect Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York 10550 Tel: (914) 363-9347 - Email: Mrzhulk4life@gmail.com Facebook: @MrzHulk4LifeComics - Instagram: @mrzhulk4life

RATES

Full page – $750.00 (10 1/3″ x 13 1/4″)

– inside covers (front and back) $850

– outside Back cover $950

Half page – $475.00

-horizontal 10 1/2″ x 6 1/2″

-vertical 5 1/8″ x 13 1/4″

Quarter page $350.00

-horizontal 10 1/2 x 3 1/4″

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1/8 page $275.00

-horizontal 5 1/8 x 3″

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Business Card $125 – Double Business Card Ad $175

***Multiple Month Discount*** For 3,6 and 12 months

Send PDF or JPEG of your business card to AdvertiseWithBW@gmail.com

FOUR YEARS STRONG AND COUNTING

About Black Westchester: BlackWestchester.com is a magazine (website) and print newspaper for people of color for Westchester and the Tri-State area of New York at every economic level. Black Westchester is committed to being a platform to profile life, culture, economics, politics, sports, and entertainment and those who are representing vision in these marketplaces and who can both encourage and provide role models to other men and women. Black Westchester, through its online magazine, print newspaper, weekly talk radio show, and editorial content, will be a vessel of community information throughout Westchester and the Tri-State area of New York. Our mission is to promote the concept of “community” through media.

The Black Westchester Newspaper is a monthly newspaper, 10,000 distributed monthly throughout Westchester and Surrounding Areas with a heavy concentration in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Yonkers, Elmsford, White Plains, Greenburgh, Peekskill, Tarrytown, NE Bronx, Harlem, Stamford, CT with a slightly smaller presence elsewhere in the county and surrounding areas.

Black Westchester is the best vehicle to reach communities of color throughout the county, but not limited to just communities of color, we have a large non-African-American readership as well.

Black Westchester and the People Before Politics Radio Show started in July and August of 2014 respectively and the print edition started on our threeyear anniversary in August 2017. In such a small amount of time, Black Westchester has heavily influenced the county, public policy, and the elected officials while informing the public in a way that was missing, filling a necessary void.

DEMOGRAPHICS

GENRE

Male - 42.55%

female - 57.45%

RACE/ETHNICITY/NATIONALITY

Black/ African-American- 62.24%

Hispanic or Latino - 6.12%

White - 23.47%

Asian - 2.04%

Caribbean - 10.20%

Native American - 7.14%

Other - 2.04%

AGE

17 OR YOUNGER- 5.15%

18-20 - 1.03%

21-29 - 4.12%

30-39 - 6.19%

40-49 - 31.96%

50-59 - 29.90%

60 OR OLDER - 21.65%

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Employed, Working Full-Time- 46.24%

Employed, Working Part-Time - 5.45%

Self Employed - 15.05%

Unemployed - 5.38%

Retired - 18.28%

Disabled, Unable To Work - 8.60%

RELATIONSHIP

Democrat - 50.53%

Independent - 25.26%

Something Else - 18.95%

Larger news outlets such as The Journal News (Lohud), News 12 Westchester and Fios1 News, The New York Post, ABC News, and others also follow us and have quoted us for breaking stories that they, in turn, did follow up stories on. Black Westchester is the voice of the voiceless and has covered many stories that other news outlets often overlooked and in turn followed our lead and reported later.

Black Enterprise Magazine reported, “Black buying power currently stands at over 1.1 Trillion dollars annually and is on the road to hit about $1.5 Trillion by 2021. These figures have also been documented by the Huffington Post, The Atlantic, MediaPost.com, Fortune Magazine, and many other respected media outlets. This collective buying power means that nearly 2 Trillion dollars will be flowing through Black American annually very soon, making us a centerpiece for various researchers, marketers, advertisers, and other campaigns designed to influence black spending patterns.

With that said, for businesses who do business and want to do business with communities of color in Westchester County and surrounding areas, advertising with Black Westchester, not only makes dollars but also makes perfect sense. We are the voice of the Black Community.

Sponsorship and advertising are also available in our weekly talk radio show, People Before Politics Radio, where we have been bringing you Real Talk For The Community since 2014.

IF BLACK LIVES MATTER SO SHOULD BLACK MENTAL HEALTH

BY DAMON K JONES

Within weeks we lost three promising young Black adults to suicide, Actor and producer Regina King’s son Ian Alexander Jr., Cheslie Kryst, the 2019 winner of the Miss USA pageant and a correspondent for the entertainment news program “Extra.” and an Actor from the TV show The Walking Dead, Moses J. Mosely. These unfortunate incidents remind us that there is a crisis and the need to have actual discussions about anxiety, depression, and mental health within Black culture.

Depression is becoming more prevalent in Black communities than in white ones, but significant differences exist. Black people face different social trauma that may increase their risk of depression.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death in their report from 2018.

If you are not living in a bubble, you should have noticed that suicide rates have significantly increased among Black youth

over the past 20 years. Unfortunately, our eyes remain closed to an emergence of a mental health crisis in black communities. White people often overlook and dismiss the fact that Black people may develop different symptoms of depression and are less likely to seek or remain in treatment.

Part of the problem is the unspoken racial bias in our Healthcare providers. In many cases, they fail to treat depression in Black people and sometimes fail to notice and treat depression in Black people. Some reports suggest that medical doctors are less likely to recognize or take a wide range of health symptoms seriously when it involves Black people.

Black trauma is real! We are in 2022, and we are still talking about the first Black this and the first Black that. We are still facing trauma just to be recognized as human beings and lack the treatment from the medical community to acknowledge that fact when it comes to mental health.

Managing depression should be essential in the Black community, just like any other community. Finding racially sensitive treatment may be necessary to address how Black people deal mentally with racial trauma and discrimination.

If Black lives matter, then Black mental health should matter also. As a law enforcement professional of over 30 years, I fully support the efforts of police reform. When we march and rally for Black Lives taken by a system and fail to put the same zeal and passion for addressing mental health and wellness in Black communities that kill more Black people than police is hypocritical. The fact of the matter is:

In 2014, 2,421 African Americans died by suicide in the US. Of these, 1,946 were male (80.38%). The overall suicide rate per 100,000 was 5.46. In 2014, there were 475 African American female suicides in the US. The suicide rate of African American females was the lowest among men and women of all ethnicities.

In 2015, researchers released data showing more suicides among African American children ages 5 to 11 than Caucasian children. This was the first national study to show higher suicide rates for African Americans than for Caucasians in any age group.

While most studies show that African American men are more likely to die by suicide while African American women are more likely to attempt suicide, recent research has observed that Caribbean black men in the US have the highest attempt rate in the African American community.

The suicide rate for African Americans ages 10-19 was 3.11 per 100,000. For African American youth (ages 10-19), the rate of male suicides (4.60 per (100,000) was 2.9 times higher than that of females (1.57 per 100,000). Males accounted for 81.5% of suicides completed by elderly African Americans (ages 65+). This percentage is mirrored by the suicides completed by elderly Caucasian men.

Firearms were the predominant method of suicide among African Americans regardless of sex or age, accounting for 47.42% of all suicides. Suffocation was the second most prevalent method (29.9%). You’ll hear various answers if you ask a group of people who’ve suffered from clinical depression to define the illness. Depression is a very personal experience that millions of people worldwide experience.

Different people manifest different symptoms, but one thing is sure: depression is a complex illness that can destroy your life if left unresolved.

Many people with depression describe it as a sense of despair that engulfs everything they do and feel.

If you think being depressed is akin to feeling sad because your favorite team just lost the championship game, you have no idea what suffering from a true depression is like. Depression is much deeper and more invasive than sadness or frustration.

Depression takes everything away from you; it saps your energy, focus, concentration, and joy. You don’t care about anything; nothing matters and even the people you love become unimportant. If you’re depressed for an extended period, you become accustomed to the feeling, and any other emotion becomes unfamiliar and even frightening.

Physical Concerns of Depression

Depression doesn’t only take its toll on your emotions and mental state; it can also cause serious physical problems. It also zaps your energy and motivation. Depression may cause you to either lose your appetite or eat incessantly.

When you’re depressed, you tend to become inactive. This alone can cause several problems, but when added to some of the other physical side effects of depression, it’s easy to see why depression is such a severe illness.

If you’ve ever mourned a profound loss or suffered from depression, you understand how overwhelming it can be. People of all ages, even children, can be depressed. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome your condition!

Here are the top five strategies to overcome your depression and regain your life:

Talk about it. If you are unable to concentrate on anything, have lost your appetite, or are over-eating, try talking to a family member or trusted friend.

• Because you’re depressed, you may not be able to get the help you need alone, so enlisting someone you trust is essential.

• Don’t feel embarrassed to talk about it. Chances are, the people you confide in will know more about depression than you think.

Seek professional help. Many people avoid this for what they feel are good reasons: “My insurance won’t cover it,” or “I can’t afford it.” In today’s society, this is simply untrue.

• Many insurance companies offer compensation for depression treatment because it’s widely known as a severe medical condition. Plus, they aren’t allowed to release treatment information to your employer.

• Even if you don’t have medical insurance, many mental health centers or hospitals offer treatment free or on a sliding scale based on your income to be affordable. Seek help for your depression – it’s the best thing you can do!

Become involved. Some people who suffer from depression find that the more they help others, the more they help themselves.

• For instance, a woman who was consumed with depression went to school and became a licensed therapist. She used her own depression experience to heal others through her sessions with people.

• Volunteer at a local center for seniors or abused families. Many people in these centers tend to be depressed, and working with them can give you insight into making yourself feel better.

Exercise. Surprisingly, exercise can help you feel better. Your body’s energy from yoga, walking, jogging, swimming, and fitness center exercise will help you immensely.

• The endorphins released during exercise can bring relief from your depression and give you the motivation to fight it.

• Enlist a friend if you don’t want to exercise alone.

Get a pet. Animals of all sorts have been shown to help people with depression. Caring for a pet strengthens your ability to take on responsibilities. Plus, pets are joyful and can put a smile on your face!

• Even if you have allergies, many breeds of cats and dogs don’t produce allergens.

These tips can help you fight your depression, but the most important is seeking professional help. A good therapist can suggest more techniques to help overcome your depression. Take these suggestions and add your creative spin to best suit your needs.

No advice can replace a complete examination by your doctor. Depression comes in many forms, and determining a treatment plan for your individual needs is required.

If you’re concerned about medication and side effects, many homeopathic remedies are available today that you can discuss with your health professional. Please make a list of your concerns and share them during the exam. This way, you’ll be actively involved in choosing a treatment plan. With a suitable treatment plan overseen by your doctor, some support to bolster your spirits, and true determination, you can overcome your depression!

Remember, racial stereotypes exist in our healthcare system, so Black people who wish to seek help for depression should see treatment from culturally competent clinicians.

THE FIRST BOOK FROM BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE

BLACK WESTCHESTER THE ORIGIN STORY

BY AJ WOODSON

This is the origin story of Black Westchester Magazine and how AJ’s faith was instrumental in this great experiment. The full and unadulterated story that many have never heard, with some of AJ’S prior experiences mixed in because they prepared him to do what it is BW does now. How two friends in Westchester County created an online African-American News Magazine that would go on to be the voice or the voiceless through advocacy and activism, giving you the News With The Black Point of View since 2014 for persons of color in Westchester County and it surrounding areas. This is the origin story of Black Westchester told though the voice of its Co-Owner and Editor-In-Chief AJ Woodson in memoir form.

IRONWORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES

ELECTRICIANS RECRUIT APPRENTICES

The Joint Apprenticeship Committee for Ironworkers, Local Union #417, will conduct a recruitment from September 12, 2022, through September 11, 2023, for ten Ironworker (Outside) apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced Friday, August 12th.

Applications must be completed, in person only, at Local Union #417, 583 Route 32, Wallkill, NY 12589, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. All applications must be received no later than May 31, 2023.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old. Proof will be required after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.

• Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Proof will be required.

• Must take a math test and be able to calculate some basic applications. Must receive a passing grade of 70.

• Must be physically able to perform the work of an Ironworker as determined by a physical agility test conducted by Local Union #417, which includes:

Climbing a ladder and a column.

Walking on a beam.

Pulling a 40-pound bucket.

Carrying and moving reinforcing rods from one location to another.

Demonstrating any applicable trade-related skills, such as welding, burning, and tying of reinforcing bars.

• Must pass a drug screening at an approved facility, at union’s expense, if required, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.

• Must have reliable means of transportation to and from various job sites and required classes at the approved school within the jurisdiction of Local Union #417. This includes the following counties: Dutchess, Orange, Putman, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster.

• Must reside within the jurisdiction (as mentioned above) of Local Union #417.

• Must have a valid driver’s license. Apprentices may be required to operate company vehicles.

• Must have ability to purchase tools as needed. Tools will cost approximately $500.

• Must be able to read a ruler.

• Must have hand-eye coordination.

• Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 80 pounds.

• Must be able to climb ladders up to 40 feet and not be afraid of heights.

For further information, applicants should contact Ironworkers Local Union #417 at (845) 566-8417. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: https://dol.ny.gov/career-centers).

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

The Westchester-Fairfield Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Committee (WFJEATC), Local Union #3 IBEW, will conduct a recruitment from September 15, 2022 through September 14, 2023 for 15 Electrician apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced Monday, August 15th.

To request an application, email WFJEATC@JIBEI.COM from September 15, 2022 through September 14, 2023.

Completed applications must be mailed to WFJEATC, 200 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, NY 10605 and postmarked no l ater than September 14, 2023. There is a non-refundable application fee of $25.Please note, you may request that this fee be waived. Fee waivers will be approved upon showing verifiable proof of financial need.

The WFJEATC requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old.

• Must be a high school graduate or have a high school equivalency diploma such as a GED or TASC (issued by an appropriate State education authority). The diploma issued to the high school graduate must be from an accredited public or private school recognized by the New York State Education Department. Diplomas issued through a home study course and not by an appropriate educational authority are not acceptable. Must have successfully completed one year of algebra or one year of high school Regents Math. Proof of education and official transcript will be required.

• Must pass a medical examination, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.

• Must be a resident, for the past two years, within a 60-mile radius of White Plains, NY.

• Must have reliable means of transportation to and from various job sites and required classes at the approved school.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license in order to operate company vehicles.

• Must take and pass the Electrical Trades Aptitude Test.

• For further information, applicants should contact WFJEATC, Local Union #3 IBEW at (914) 946-0472. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: dol.ny.gov/career-centers).

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

DID CANDIDATE VADAT GASHI RESORT TO RACIAL TACTICS

BY DARKEN SKIN

BY AJ WOODSON

OF REP. JAMAAL BOWMAN IN LATEST MAIL ER?

Racial messages—both implicit, through coded terms and imagery, and explicit—are all too common in our political discourse and particularly in our political campaigns.

– Campaign Legal Center (CLC)

Black Westchester received several calls from voters of color in the 16th Congressional District questioning the motive of Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi’s distribution of campaign material that features a photo of Congressman Jamaal Bowman with what appears to be a noticeably darker skin tone. Rep Bomwan, who is Black, Progressive and the first African-American to be elected to serve as Congressman in CD-16, unseated Rep. Eliot Engel – who served as the district’s congressman for 31 years – in the 2020 Democratic primary.

The mailer in question was also the source of a City & State Magazine August 8 article written by Sahalie Donaldson; The Gashi campaign’s mailer, which was sent out to households in the northern Bronx and southern Westchester County district late last week, included a set of bullet points decrying Bowman’s congressional record and a photo that appears darker than its original version. The picture is poorly lit – so much so Bowman’s features are almost imperceptible. Contrasted against the representative’s own mailer – a well-lit photo of Bowman smiling and looking off into the distance set under the words “peace and love,” the presentation is particularly stark. The other side of Gashi’s mailer features a bright and colorful portrait of the Westchester County legislator’s family.

“To be Black in America is to deal with multiple forms of racism on a consistent basis. This is one of them,” Bowman shared with Black Westchester. “There is an ugly history behind facial distortion to spread hate and disdain for political purposes. This is why voters were angered. This is also why we introduced the African American History Act and the resolution to fight hate and antisemitism. The -isms and -phobias in America are killing us and stopping us from reaching our potential as a country. We need to be better educated to stop the hate that’s eating our country and democracy alive.”

I received the mailer in the mail Monday afternoon as well. As someone who lays out the newspaper every month, I could not help but to question the notable difference in graphics on the front and back of Gashi’s mailer. The front bright, vivid, vibrant and vivacious portrait of Gashi and his family while the b-side of the mailer was a darkened, dispirited and disheartened display of Congressman Bowman over a brown background that contrast with the colorful background of Gashi on the front.

I delayed my response, wanted to wrap my head around it to make sure I wasn’t making too much of the very visible contrast in the two sides of the mailer. Then I read Rafeal Shimunov’s tweet, questioning the motive of the mailer. Shimunov is the guest host of the radio show What’s Going On on WBAI 99.5FM that airs Wednesday mornings. Shimunov is on the Executive Board + Jews of Color caucus member @JFREJNYC (Jews For Racial Economic Justice) and co-founder of The Jewish Vote.

He tweeted: Hey Twitter, did Congressional candidate @LegislatorGashi darken the skin or progressive Congressman @JamaalBowmanNY or nah? #NY16

After reading Rafeal Shimunov’s tweet and the City & State Magazine article, it became abundantly clear that wasn’t just the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester just making everything about race as our critics sometimes accuse us of when they don’t like what we write. But after seeing others question the motive of Gashi’s mailer, I was even more empowered and felt a responsibility to write this editorial and shine a spotlight on these actions.

Shimunov wasn’t the only tweet that’s questioned the mailer. Other tweets included Jorge L. Vasquez, Jr., @JorgeVasquezNYC, a civil rights attorney and advocate from Manhattan’s Lower East Side, who tweeted: I saw a mailer from @LegislatorGashi & I hope his team didn’t purposely darken a picture of @JamaalBowmanNY & coincidentally write the congressman’s name in Black bold letters above white letters that read “The Wrong Priorities.”

Kamran Saliani @KamranSaliani, an IRV-District 31 Leader tweeted; As a Democratic District Leader in Westchester, I am appalled and disgusted at the racist tactics by @LegislatorGashi against @JamaalBowmanNY. It’s disgusting to see anyone, especially a fellow Democrat, stoop to such low levels. Disgusting.

What alarmed me the most after reading the mailer was with the current polarized political climate we are in where the GOP is using racial fear mongering nationwide and doing everything to strip us of our rights and destroy democracy, to have a Democrat use the same tactics with the political discourse in campaigns against another Democrat, or within the societal and cultural climate created by such practice is appalling to say the least. But we should not be surprised because this is not new in this country, so why wouldn’t it spill out

in this county. The phenomenon involving the activity of political actors exploiting the issue of race to forward an agenda. Not to prove to voters you are the best candidate but to discredit or disparage candidates of color to win an election. Sahalie Donaldson also spoke to this in her City & State Magazine article. Research indicates that when voters are learning about a non-white candidates’ personal background, subtle changes in their skin complexion can have an effect on how they perceive that candidate. And racial messages –whether they be implicit or explicit – have long been present in political campaigns.

In 2020, Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham came under fire for sharing a digitally altered image of his opponent Jamie Harrison in a campaign ad. Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler ran a Facebook ad in 2021 that visibly darkened the skin of her challenger Rev. Raphael Warnock. And a study published in 2015 found that darkened images of former President Barack Obama were often tied to negative ads run by then-Republican nominee John McCain’s campaign during the 2008 presidential election. In New York, Rep. Yvette Clarke’s reelection campaign sparked backlash after her progressive challenger Adem Bunkeddaeko accused her of sending out mail that also darkened his skin in 2020. Clarke, who is also Black, denied the charge.

Gashi, who came to the U.S. as a refugee when his parents fled Kosovo, has positioned himself as a moderate alternative to Bowman and touted what he describes as his ability to bridge differences within the Democratic Party, denies the accusations.

“This is just another example of how the incumbent refuses to be held accountable for his failed record and prefers to spread lies instead,” Gashi’s campaign manager Daniel Johnson said in a statement to City & State. “Rather than playing petty and performative politics, Vedat is focused on doing everything he can to help the families of the Bronx and Westchester.”

This comes after the recent redistricting that included Special Master Jonathan Cervas carving up NY Congressional and State Senate seats, which could possibly weaken both the Black Vote and Black Representation in Congress, in a time where the Democrats are hanging on to a slim majority heading into the midterm elections.

Donaldson points out in her City & State article, according to data from the Center for Urban Research at the CUNY Graduate Center, the new district is 20.5% Black – a 9 percentage point decrease from the previous district. White residents make up 40% of the new district, up from 33%, and Hispanics make up 29% and Asians 7%.

Basil Smikle, a Black political strategist and former executive director of the state Democratic Party, told City & State that candidates have used skin tones in ads to scare white voters for years in hopes of mobilizing them against Black candidates. On the flip side, magazines and media entities have also long been guilty of lightening Black skin tones.

“Both of those extremes – the darkening and the lightening – are meant to feed into stereotypes and caricatures of Black people,” he said.

While the Gashi campaign mailer might not rise to the level of some of the more egregious examples, his campaign declined to comment on why that particular image was the one they selected even if it wasn’t digitally altered like they say.

“Any candidate and consultant should be mindful of the racial history and sensitivity to skin tones and the stereotypes behind that,” Smikle said. “There’s no place for this in our political dialogue. I don’t care whether you’re Democrat or Republican – any consultant or candidate should do better at understanding the racial political sensitives to skin tone.”

This comes after Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano – who has publicly endorsed Gashi – commented that Congressman Jamaal Bowman should be arrested for voting No on Infrastructure Bill on the “Reisman-Richter Report” talk radio show on WVOX in February. The comment angered many community leaders and Mayor Spano refused to meet with the Yonkers Branch of the NAACP when the chapter’s president Rev. Frank Coleman expressed his disappointment in the mayor’s statement and requested a meeting to discuss it and demanded an apology. Black leaders expressed their outrage and pointed that this is part of a much-needed larger conversation about race in politics.

In a speech in Montgomery, Alabama in 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed a simple question: “How long will prejudice blind the vision of men?” (continues on next page)

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS OF COLOR - FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2022

Racial Tactics of Gashi’s Mailer... continued

from page 24

He answered the question by saying, “How long, not long” and told the gathered marchers that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” King also said in his Letter From A Birmingham Jail; “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Now more than fifty years later, as we assess the impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we have indeed seen change. However, for all the improvements that have been made, this is no time to declare victory. There is so much more that needs to be improved upon and accomplished. For those who continue to face discrimination based on the color of their skin, their gender, disability, or sexual orientation, the answer “not long” is outdated and regressive. Perhaps we should be asking ourselves another question: “What can we contribute to society to bridge the gap of social injustices?”

In the current political climate, we have seen ads that explicitly call on white supremacy or racial stereotypes to ads that employ more subtle “dog whistles.” Whether implicit or explicit on the part of Gashi and his campaign as Smikle said, there’s no place for this in our political dialog. The racial gaslighting is disgusting. It is even more egregious when it comes from a fellow Democrats who is vying to represent a district that is majority minority.

We have invited Vadat Gashi to appear on our radio show People Before Politics Radio to discuss the matter, he has agreed to an interview Tuesday, May 16th at 6PM. Then on Monday at 4:24PM a little more than 24 hours before the interview the Gashi’s communication consultant Yuridia Peña emailed us and wrote, “Unfortunately, Vedat is unable to do the interview this week.” No reason why, no request to reschedule, just he is unable to do the interview that they asked for, agreed to and scheduled.

Whether any or all of this was done intentional by the candidate or the communications consultant, it is an insult to Black Westchester and our audience that counts on us to inform them on the candidates, and we thought the voters of the 16th congressional district needed to know when they go out to cast their vote. If he doesn’t see the need to address this issue, how can we trust he will address any of the big issues that are important to us, if we send him to Washington DC to represent us? These are the questions that need to be asked before you cast your ballot in this very important primary.

County Legislators Gashi and Catherine Parker are challenging Congressman Bowman in the August 23 Democratic Primary. Mark Jaffe has officially dropped out the race. Early voting started Saturday, August 13th. With so much on the line and our very democracy at risk, Black Westchester encourages all to vote responsibly and make informed decisions at the ballot box.

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” - Alice Walker

COMPLIMENTARY

AUGUST 15, 2022

Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas