Vol 3/ Issue 6 - Black Westchester Jan 15, 2020

VOLUME 3 / ISSUE 6

COMPLIMENTARY

JANUARY 15, 2020

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

BLACK WESTCHESTER

FEATURES

KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN HEADED TO OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL PAGE 6

CAN WE CELEBRATE THE REAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR?

BY AJ WOODSON

BY DAMON K. JONES - PAGE 22

THIS MONTH IN BLACK HISTORY THE LOX DROP DEBUT ALBUM PAGE 23

PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS RADIO SHOW - EPISODE 248 - SUNDAY, JAN 26TH

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

YONKERS MAYOR MIKE SPANO

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH YONKERS MAYOR 6 PM

MIMI ROCAH

CANDIDATE FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

7 PM

WITH YA HOSTS AJ WOODSON & DAMON K. JONES AND CO-HOSTS DR. BOB BASKERVILLE & LORRAINE LOPEZ FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @PBPRADIO

CAN MOUNT VERNON HOSPITAL BE SAVED OR HAS THE HOSPITAL BECOME THE NEW MEMORIAL FIELD? - PAGE 9

WESTCHESTER COUNTY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW: THE LOX DROP I N A U G U R A T I O N S THE WORLD IS ON FIRE DEBUT ALBUM AND SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES

BY CHARLES STERN

BEHIND THE LENS THIS MONTH IS BLACK HISTORY 2019 A YEAR IN REVIEW IN PICTURES PAGES 12-13

PAGE 23

PAGES 16-17

PAGE 20

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JANUARY 15, 2020

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CHARTER SCHOOL OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE A FREE REGIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Visit our website at www.charterschoolofeducationalexcellence.org to download the application Kindergarten to 9th Grade

We welcome English Language Learners and Special Education Students

260 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10701 914-476-5070 Designated as a REWARD SCHOOL FOR 2014-2018 by the New York State Department of Education

We are accepting new student applications for Grades K-9

Estamos aceptando solicitudes para los grados K-9

INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS: November 19, 2019 9:00am December 12, 2019 2:00pm January 8, 2020 9:00am January 23, 2020 4:30pm February 13, 2020 4:30pm March 4, 2020 9:00am March 19, 2020 5:00pm

SESIONES INFORMATIVAS: noviembre 19, 2019 a las 9:00 am diciembre 12, 2019 a las 2:00 pm enero 8, 2020 a las 9:00 am enero 23, 2020 a las 4:30 pm febrero 13, 2020 a las 4:30 pm marzo 4 a las 9:00 am marzo 19, 2020 a las 5:00 pm

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2020 4:00pm LOTTERY DATE: April 14, 2020 9:00am

Fecha límite para entregar las solicitudes es abril 1, 2020 a las 4:00 pm El sorteo de lotería se llevará a cabo en abril 14, 2020 a las 9:00 am

For an application or more information please call 914-476-5070 Ext. 4

Para obtener informacion llame al 914-476-5070 Ext. 4

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JANUARY 15, 2020

COMMUNITY PICKET CALL TO ACTION

NYSNA RNs at Mt Vernon Hospital have joined with 1199 and the Mt Vernon community to Save & Transform Mt Vernon Hospital. We will be holding a community informational picket to oppose the unhealthy corporate attempt to close our Mt Vernon Hospital, while also advocating for a strong contract that invests in MVH patients and RNs.

JOIN US FOR THE COMMUNITY INFORMATIONAL PICKETING:

DATE:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16TH

TIMES: 6:30-8:30am 12:00-1:30pm 6:00-8:30pm - CANDLELIGHT

VIGIL

PLACE: Outside Mt Vernon Hospital, 12 N 7th Ave For more information, please email SAVEMVH@gmail.com or call (914) 266-0476

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JANUARY 15, 2020

NEWS WITH THE BLACK POINT OF VIEW

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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 and @PBPRadio Instagram: @BlackWestchester Facebook: /BlackWestchesterMagazine

Publisher DAMON K. JONES @DamonKJones

Editor-In-Chief AJ WOODSON

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 our January 15, 2020 issue, the first issue of the year, Happy New Year one and all. Check out our 2019 Year In Review.

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

@BWEditorInChief

Mistress Of Information Brenda L. Crump News Reporters/ Writers AJ Woodson Damon K. Jones Charles Stern (RedBlueTalk)

Photographers AJ Woodson Damon K. Jones Graphic Designers AJ Woodson Paula S. Woodson/ PS Visually Speakin’ For Advertising Rates AdvertiseWithBW@gmail.com Letters To The Editor BWEditorInChief@gmail.com

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6 BLACK WESTCHESTER WC DEPT OF CORRECTIONS PARTNERS WITH LEGAL AID SOCIETY ON FIRST OF ITS KIND LEGAL SERVICES SUPPORT PROGRAM

JANUARY 15, 2020

BLACK WESTCHESTER NEWS

THE KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN THE MOVIE SELECTED TO BE SCREENED AT THEBY 2020 OXFORD FI L M FESTI V AL AJ WOODSON

914 EDUCATION YONKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADUATION RATES UP AGAIN! 88% OF CLASS OF 2019 GRADUATED ON TIME

BY AJ WOODSON

(Valhalla, NY) – The Westchester County Department of Corrections (WCDOC) has partnered with the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County on an innovative program that will work collaboratively with detainees and sentenced persons on discharge planning for successful reentry.Alumni Association (2012-2016). He also served as the HUAA vice president of membership (2010-2012), overseeing a 29 percent increase in membership, and as the Region I chair (Northeast United States, Africa and Europe) (2008-2010), where he won the 2010 HUAA award for Region of The Year.

The relationship between WCDOC and the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County was fostered by the work of the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on Incarceration Release Planning and Programs. WCDOC and the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County began working on the newly established Legal Aid office in January of 2019. This satellite office will provide legal services and assist in the discharge planning of incarcerated clients, represented by the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County.

WCDOC developed a scheduling process for custodial clients to request a meeting with Legal Aid. WCDOC, with the assistance from the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, translated Legal Aid request forms to multiple languages for non-English readers.

With the support of these other County Departments, WCDOC was able to leverage multiple County resources to allow for the logistics of this program to work – keeping costs minimal. Follow the principle of the Latimer Administration of utilization of shared services – either intra or inter-governmental.

First Deputy Commissioner Louis A. Molina said: “Having Legal Aid Attorneys and Social Workers embedded in the jail to provide services to our shared clients is a pivotal moment and embodies how we are operationalizing criminal justice reform strategies in Westchester County. Meaningful access to legal representation is a vital element to creating a dignity-based criminal justice system that promotes justice and hope for redemption.”

Oxford, Ms. — The 2020 Oxford Film Festival (March 18-22) has annoUnced an event filled edition of the acclaimed regional film festival. The Killing Of Kenneth Chamberlain has been selected to be screened during the festival’s Narrative Features Juried Competition.

“We’re excited to be heading to Oxford, MS for the Oxford Film Festival this March!,” Kenneth Chamberlain Jr told Black Westchester after receiving the news.”

This will be the second film festival for the film. The Killing Of Kenneth Chamberlain was previously selected to premiere at the Austin Film Festival, in Autin Texas, and won both the Jury Award and Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.

The film stars Frankie Faison stars as Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Faison is known for powerful performances in The Silence Of The Lambs, The Wire, and Marvel’s Luke Cage. He portrays Kenneth Chamberlain, a veteran with bipolar disorder who fatally shot on November 19, 2011 by members of the White Plains Police Department who were sent to his home on a wellness check.

The Oxford Film Festival was founded in 2003 to bring exciting, new, and unusual films (and the people who create them) to North Mississippi. The annual five-day festival screens short and feature-length films in both showcase and competition settings.

The Oxford Film Festival celebrates the art of independent cinema. Through year-round programming, the festival works to encourage filmmaking in Oxford and North Mississippi while growing understanding of cinema through screenings, workshops, and educational programs, culminating in the annual five-day festival. The festival exhibits over 200 quality films from across the globe.

NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER REMOVED OVER RACIAL REMARKS

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle High School Latin Teacher Dr. Naomi Finkelstein was “reassigned” by Superintendent Dr. Laura Feijóo after Finkelstein allegedly told a black student he looked like a “terrorist” because he had his hoodie pulled over his head, according to sources familiar with the matter, Talk Of The Sound reported.

On January 6, 2020, Dr. Feijóo sent a letter to home for Finkelstein’s students stating “Dr. Finkelstein…will be reassigned from the classroom for the foreseeable future.”

Finkelstein is assigned to New Rochelle High School but also teachers at Isaac E. Young Middle School and Albert Leonard Middle School.

Finkelstein is the fourth District employee reassigned by Feijóo since she started on November 1, 2019.

Finkelstein was suspended earlier this year for unspecified reasons, according to the same sources.

Finkelstein came under fire in 2018 for remarks on her personal Facebook page where she referred to her job as “Latin babysitter at New Rochelle High School” and likened her job to “herding cows”. She was subsequently appointed to the New Rochelle Board of Education’s Task Force on Reducing Violence in the Lives of Children and Youth.

According to See Through New York, Finkelstein has worked for the District since December 1999. Her 2019 salary was $140,410.

• • •

Only Large City District to Graduate Over 80%, Graduation rate surpasses NYS and Big 5 averages, Dropout rate lower than NYS and Big 5 averages

(YONKERS, NY) On January 16, 2020, the New York State Education Department released the 2019 graduation data. “Once again, it is my pleasure to report that Yonkers Public Schools’ graduation rate is up over last year reaching 88% of our seniors graduating on time,” announced Yonkers Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez. “Over the past five years, our graduates have increased by 10% percentage point, this is outstanding. The Trustees commend the work of our Superintendent Dr. Quezada, his instructional team, school administrators, teachers and, most importantly, the diligent effort of our students and the encouragement and commitment of their families.”

“Our high school principals, assistant principals, school counselors, teachers and pupil support staff are doing a phenomenal job relentlessly moving our students to on time graduation. Yonkers outperforms urban school districts across the state. Our students’ on time graduation rate is 4.6 percentage points higher than the statewide average. Every subgroup’s graduation rate increased and outperformed the State and Big 5 city schools,” stated Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of Schools. “Beginning in the ninth grade our schools focus their work to ensure that all students progress toward graduation and parents/guardians are kept informed of their child’s progress. By providing access to an array of academic and social-emotional opportunities, we are closing the achievement gap for all of our students. This includes the additional time for August on time graduation, which truly reveals our students capacity to achieve graduation as well as college and career readiness.

“Despite the chronic underfunding to Yonkers Schools by New York State, our students continue to amaze us – increasing their graduation rate by an incredible 16% in just eight years,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “I can only imagine what our students could accomplish if our District was provided the funding they so desperately need and deserve.

Congratulations to the dedicated Yonkers Board of Trustees, our talented Superintendent and the wonderful administration staff and teachers who commit themselves each day to the successes of our schools and who work tirelessly to ensure our students reach their fullest potential.”

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MT VERNON & WHITE PLAINS AMONG 10 CITIES AWARDED GRANTS TO DEVELOP NEW STRATEGIC HOUSING PROGRAMS

BY AJ WOODSON

CITIES FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT AND STRATEGIC ENFORCEMENT (“CITIES RISE”) ADVANCE NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION AND HELP CITIES ADDRESS HOUSING CHALLENGES

NEW YORK – Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday, over $8 million in grant awards as part of the Cities for Responsible Investment and Strategic Enforcement (“Cities RISE”). Cities will use these grants to launch innovative programs related to housing and strategic code enforcement. The program aims to innovatively address and transform blighted, vacant, or poorly maintained problem properties through the use of housing and community data from various state agencies.

Launched in April 2017, Cities RISE advances the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s comprehensive strategy for helping New York families and communities rebuild from the housing crisis. In the first phase of the program, 16 municipalities received a two-year subscription to a data platform designed to integrate and analyze data such as code enforcement records, tax liens, and fire and police data to innovatively address and transform blighted, vacant, or poorly maintained problem properties.

“In the aftermath of the foreclosure crisis, New Yorkers are continuing to struggle to find and maintain quality affordable housing options,” said Attorney General James. “Cities RISE provides a thoughtful approach to how municipalities revitalize its communities, and ensures that housing issues are addressed. My office will continue to proudly use the funds secured from settlements with banks to combat New York’s housing crisis.”

Phase two of the program started in November 2018. Ten of the original 16 grantees were selected for phase two. Over the last year, these Cities have worked with Cities RISE program partners to improve their code enforcement strategies and develop new strategic programs. The cities received expert support from Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and Tolemi, a social enterprise that created the BuildingBlocks platform used by all Cities RISE, participants. Harvard and Tolemi helped cities leverage data and evidence in operational work and policy-making. Additionally, last May, the Mayors of the cities attended an Executive Education Program at Harvard. Additionally, cities worked with Hester Street, an urban planning, design, and development nonprofit to develop and launch a comprehensive community engagement process.

As part of Phase two, cities were invited to apply for a grant of up to $1 million to develop new strategic housing or code enforcement programs developed during phase two utilizing their improved data analysis capabilities as well as input their community engagement. All 10 cities will receive between $546,000-$1,000,000 to implement strategic code enforcement programs with an emphasis on making code enforcement more effective, efficient, and equitable.

Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) a national community development intermediary that specializes in affordable housing, is overseeing the initiative.

Cities RISE Grantees: City of Albany City of Binghamton City of Buffalo City of White Plains City of Elmira City of Mount Vernon City of Newburgh City of Niagara Falls City of Rochester City of Syracuse Enterprise is excited to support this final step in Cities RISE, the culmination of several years of hard work by the government and community leaders of participating municipalities to develop equitable, strategic code enforcement initiatives,” said Judi Kende, vice president and market leader, Enterprise Community Partners. “Enterprise is proud to partner with Attorney General James to give communities across the state the unique opportunity to improve the lives of local residents.”

“We are excited to see these ten grantees leverage data through the BuildingBlocks platform to improve housing code compliance, facilitate cross-agency collaboration, and launch innovative neighborhood revitalization strategies,” said Andrew Kieve, CEO and Co-Founder of Tolemi.

“Cities RISE demonstrates the power and potential of community-led problem solving,” said Nisha Baliga, Co-Executive Director of Hester Street. “Hester Street

was thrilled to support all ten municipalities in engaging residents, neighborhood leaders and CBOs most impacted by code enforcement actions in the process of co-creating proactive and equitable code enforcement solutions. We’re excited about what this kind of participatory policymaking can mean for the future of equitable code enforcement everywhere and commend the Attorney General’s office for supporting this community-driven process.”

“It has been a great honor for us to support mayors and their teams in making their governments more effective, efficient and equitable through innovation,” said Professor Jorrit de Jong, faculty director of the Ash Center’s Government Innovations Program. “The Cities RISE program has been a superb platform to help cities build the capabilities to tackle challenges around vacant, abandoned and distressed properties. We are grateful to NY Attorney General James for the opportunity to work with ten cities on making positive change in their communities.”

The city of Mount Vernon will receive $618,000 Grant Award from Attorney General James To Develop Strategic Housing Programs Grant money will be used to fund code enforcement officers and housing programs to address blighted areas and revitalize neighborhoods afflicted by zombie homes, Mayor Shawyn PattersonHoward announced on her Facebook page, Thursday morning.

“I just want to thank NYS Attorney General Letitia James for her continued support in the fight against urban blight,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “Mount Vernon, like many cities around the country, was devastated by the foreclosure crisis, and incentives such as these will start the process of revitalizing in those areas most in need of attention.

These funds will also help hire new code enforcement officers that play a massive role in improving the quality of life in our great City. I look forward to working closely with NYS Attorney General Letitia James, and Cities RISE as we move Mount Vernon towards a brighter future.”

The other Westchester municipality to receive the grant award was the City of White Plains.

“I would like to thank the Attorney General and her staff for the time and effort they have put into working with us and the other cities participating in the Cities Rise program,” said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach.“Through this program, White Plains has had an opportunity to closely examine the issues of overcrowding and illegal housing in our community. We have looked at the causes and impacts from a code enforcement perspective, as well as from the neighborhood/community and tenant perspectives. As a result of the Cities Rise process, White Plains applied for an Innovation Grant that will allow us to create an Emergency Rental Housing Repair and Tenant Displacement Support Fund, pilot a new position of Neighborhood Conditions Coordinator/Community Liaison within the Building Department, and increase our overall level of outreach and community engagement. We are deeply appreciative of the professional and funding resources the AG’s office has provided through this grant program and look forward to implementing our Innovation Grant.”

“This revitalization initiative goes hand and hand with one of the primary goals of my administration, creating a city where every neighborhood works, “ said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “We are eager to put the analysis, technical support, and training received during the first two phases of Cities RISE to work in transforming Albany neighborhoods. The programs that will be implemented as a result of Cities RISE will provide resources and education to improve landlord/tenant relationships, assist elderly homeowners with estate planning in an effort to reduce the amount of vacant properties in the future, proactively remove blighted and unsafe properties, and create an opportunity for residents to become homeowners if they are willing to maintain vacant properties. I

want to thank Attorney General James for spearheading this initiative that aims to not only make code enforcement more effective and efficient, but more equitable.”

“I join other New York mayors in thanking Attorney General James for supporting efforts to combat blighted and vacant properties and bringing us together on this innovative program,” said Binghamton Mayor Richard C. David. “Binghamton is using data and cutting edge strategies to transform eyesores into opportunities for new housing and community development. Our partnership with the Office of Attorney General and Harvard University Ash Center has improved outcomes in Binghamton and has set a new standard for civic innovation in our region.”

“The City of Buffalo is proud of our partnership with the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Enterprise and other stakeholders who helped us secure almost $1 million in funding that will provide the resources necessary to transform our code enforcement efforts into a proactive system that improves the quality of housing and neighborhoods for low-income residents across the City,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.“The commitment of NYS Attorney General James in utilizing settlement funding to address our most important housing needs, will provide vital resources to ensure that all of our residents have access to safe and healthy homes.”

““The selection of the City of Elmira as one of the Cites RISE grant recipients is excellent news for both the City of Elmira and the residents of the City of Elmira,” said Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell.“This grant will help Elmira vastly improve our neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all of our residents. Many thanks go out to the Attorney General’s Office and Attorney General Letitia James for investing in our neighborhoods.”

“The City of Niagara Falls is proud to be selected for phase two of the NYS Attorney General’s office Cities RISE program,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Robert M. Restaino. “The funding provided will greatly assist our city in accomplishing the goals of the Attorney General for cities across New York State. On behalf of the City of Niagara Falls, I would like to thank NYS Attorney General Letitia James for her commitment to assisting improvement of communities across the State.”

“Thanks to Attorney General James and the Cities RISE program, Rochester will remain a leader in ensuring quality, affordable housing for our residents,” said Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren. “These vital dollars will help prevent evictions, provide for emergency repairs and help create a property manager licensing program. Under the leadership of Tish James, the state Attorney General’s office has become a trusted partner of, and proven advocate for, all those working to ensure that housing is fundamental human right.”

“Our neighborhoods in Syracuse have benefited greatly from Cities RISE funding,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “The continued support from Attorney General James’ office will create even more opportunities for us to invest in quality housing options for residents, clean up blighted areas, and energize our resurgent neighborhoods block by block.”

Over the last five years, the Attorney General’s Office has: Allocated more than $50 million toward land banks— local, nonprofit entities that purchase and rehabilitate abandoned properties. To date, these land banks have reclaimed nearly 2,000 properties from abandonment and renatured over 700 properties to productive use.

Launched Neighbors for Neighborhoods, a $4 million pilot program that enables land banks to provide subsidies for local community members to take over individual, abandoned properties and convert them into long-term affordable rental units.

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JANUARY 15, 2020

NADINE HUNT-ROBINSON MAKES HISTORY AGAIN, BECOMES FIRST FEMALE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WHITE PLAINS COUNCIL PRESIDENT

BY AJ WOODSON

Nadine Hunt-Robinson first made history in November 2014 by becoming the first African-American woman elected to serve as White Plains Common Council. In her sweeping victory, she earned White Plains voters’ endorsement to fill the unexpired year remaining on former Councilman Benjamin Boykin’s council term beginning in January 2015.

Now she kicks off the new decade, Monday, January 6, 2020, by making history again as she becomes the first African-American woman to serve as White Plains Common Council President.

“Almost six years ago, I became the first African-American to sit on the White Plains Common Council,” the Councilwoman shares on Facebook. “Last year, I was part of a historic all-woman slate with Victoria Free Presser and Jenn Puja. Tonight, by the unanimous vote of my colleagues on the council, I became the first AfricanAmerican woman to serve as Council President. Thank you to everyone who came out tonight to show support! It continues to be an honor and privilege to serve in office, and I will do as much as I can to help as many as I can, for as long as I can!”

The White Plains Common Council voted unanimously to appoint Nadine Hunt-Robinson as its president for the next two years. She took her oath of office, sworn into office as a councilwoman by Mayor Tom Roach, accompanied by her husband, the Rev. Dr. Tyrone Robinson - Pastor of First Community Baptist Church and their son, Mali.

Last year, in a historic turn, she ran for re-election on the same slate with two other women - Jennifer Puja and Victoria Presser as a Democratic slate in November 2019 - making them the only all-female ticket in the city’s history.

They all won their races and wasted no time selecting Robinson to lead the Common Council in a no-nonsense fashion.

“It takes a village and I look and I see my village and see how I got here today,” Hunt-Robinson said following her appointment. She thanked her family and friends for their help in “making me the first African-American woman to sit on the Common Council for the City of White Plains.”

Hunt-Robinson said she was part of “the first all women-slate” to be elected to the city’s Common Council.

“I am humbled in the faith that my colleagues have put in me and the citizens of White Plains have put in me to continue to serve the people and to be the council president,” Hunt-Robinson said.

Nadine Hunt-Robinson is not new to politics, nor is it the only hat she wears.

“I’m an attorney, a mom and a wife,” she says.

Hunt-Robinson was first appointed to the Common Council as a surprise selection by the City Democratic Committee when appointed in February 2014 by Mayor Thomas Roach and the Common Council. Ms. Hunt-Robinson told White Plains CitizenNet Reporter she was approached by the White Plains Ministerial Fellowship and asked to agree to accept the seat because if she did not, the White Plains black community would not have a seat on the Common Council with the departure of Mr. Boykin, who was elected to serve as County Legislator.

She was challenged in a City Committee nomination election and won by a narrow margin (one vote WPCNR reported) and subsequently was appointed to the Council by Mayor Roach and the Common Council in a unanimous vote. She was endorsed by the White Plains Examiner, and apparently in her forum appearances impressed many. On the FASNY issue particularly in recent hearings she carefully noted she was concerned about the health and safety of White Plains High School students and would be considering those issues carefully in any decision vote on the FASNY site plan.

White Plains Council President Nadine Hunt-Robinson [Photos by Robin L. Ham]

After being sworn-in, Jan 6th, Hunt-Robinson says her top priorities will be growing the tax base, keeping the city’s neighborhoods intact and protecting affordable housing.

When she’s done all that, she hints there might just be other political offices in sight.

“I hope to continue,” she says. “The key is to be productive. If I accomplish as much I can, I hope to be able to help more people.”

“A wise person knows that there’s something to be learned from everyone,” first-term Councilwoman Jennifer Puja said following her oath of office ceremony. “I can honestly say that the people sitting in this room and standing are people I’ve learned a great deal from. I’ve learned that, most of all, it takes a village. In our case it takes a city. It takes a city to make change. It takes a city to make a difference. It takes a city to energize and to mobilize and to brainstorm. It takes a city to educate, to empower and to embrace one another and it takes a city to lead.”

“I’m so excited at the opportunity to serve all of White Plains,” Puja said. She said she has been told that she is one of the youngest women to be elected to the Common Council and she wants to inspire girls and women to run for political office.

“It is a great honor to be called upon to serve in government,” first-term Councilwoman Victoria Presser said following her oath of office. “I am grateful to the citizens of White Plains for giving me this opportunity.”

Presser said she was dedicating her service in memory of Pauline Oliver, the last Battle Hill resident to serve on the Common Council and her immigrant grandparents and for city residents. “I pledge to give this work everything I’ve got,” she said. “I love White Plains.”

“There’s a lot of work to do,” Presser said. “And if there is one thing we know, it’s that complex challenges rarely have easy answers. But we will see the way through.”

Black Westchester congratulates Councilwoman Nadine Hunt-Robinson for making history again as the first female White Plains Common Council President.

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JANUARY 15, 2020

MOUNT VERNON HOSPITAL

BLACK WESTCHESTER 9

MT VERNON HOSPITAL – CAN IT BE SAVED OR IS IT A DONE DEAL, LIKE THEY ARE TELLING US? WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON?

BY AJ WOODSON

Montefiore Health Systems has announced its decision to permanently closed Mount Vernon Hospital, the only hospital in a city of over 70,000, the second sickest city in the state of New York. The conversation that followed has been full of a plethora of assumptions, misinformation, and political propaganda, to the point most people do not know what or who to believe. Others have no idea just what the heck is going on, others have just given up, accepted the news as a foregone conclusion. Has Mount Vernon Hospital become the new Memorial Field?

You remember Memorial Field and the decades of decay,debates, political promises, misinformation and elected officials argueing and fingerpointing. The stadium that had been closed for about several years at this point, became such a focal point in every election and a main talking point for every elected official and the residents of Mount Vernon. Its renovation became a campaign promise.

Former Mayor Clinton Young practically campaigned on its renovation, even going as far as to announce his candidacy from inside of the once great field in the summer of 2015. The legendary stadium received so much press, almost taking on a life of its own and overshadowing all but a few of the candidates in the headlines.

If Memorial Field was a patient in the hospital, it was on life support when Ernie Davis took office in 1995, died on Clinton Young’s watch and Richard Thomas failed in his attempts to revive the patient. Andre Wallace managed to revive the patient in his short few months fulfilling the remainder or Richard Thomas term and now the County, the specialists came onboard to operate on the patient and see it to full recovery.

The Memorial Field experience overshadowed everything else including Montefiore’s very effective plan of devaluing the hospital, removing necessary services, steering traffic to other neighboring hospitals it runs like the Bronx and New Rochelle to create the data to show NY State, Mount Vernon Hospital in a losing proposition to show cause to decommission the hospital once and for all.

With the stadium that was once a field of dreams becoming a nightmare, corruption in City Hall, senseless gun violence in the streets in more in heavy rotation in the headlines of every local news media outlet and radio station, it was relatively easy to pull this off. The one thing they were counting on is the community would not noticed and would not do anything but complain when we found out. When the community did find out a campaign of misinformation ensued to make sure the residents that might have it in their mind to fight back, eventually gave up hope and accepted it as an inevitable result.

But the one thing they do not want you to know is the FIGHT IS NOT OVER!

What they didn’t know is the city that has been plagued with division would come together and FIGHT!!! They were so busy working on pulling one over on you they did not realized the residents of Mount Vernon comes together and fights back.

Montifiore is about to find out what the Westchester Library Systems found out when they tried to take the Central Library Status from the Mount Vernon Public Library. They did not expect the New York State Nurses Association and 1199 to use their bargaining power to pressure them to keep the hospital open during their contract negotiation.

They werent counting on the Save & Transform Mount Vernon Hospital Coalition Steering Committee to be formed to educate the residents to their rights and ignite them to fight.

But the growing coalition is pushing back to prevent Montefiore’s plans to close the hospital and educating the residents on just how the proposed closing will impact the City of Mount Vernon and surrounding communities.To inform the community that they can still intervene in the process that is not completed yet. To let them know despite what they have been hearing from a campaign of misinformation from Montefiore, The Fight Is Not Over!

Protesters at press conferences, information rallies and town hall meetings consisting of clergy, community leaders, elected officials and residents have launched a massive community-driven, grassroots campaign to save Mount Vernon Hospital.They started a petition that they plan to bring to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Plans also include carpooling up to 400 plus residents to Albany to let their voices be heard at a hearing where Montifiore hopes to get the states necesary approval to open their proposed new emergency care facility on Sandford Blvd.

The coalition is seeking the intervention from the Governor, to save this hospital which is critical to the health and safety of the Mount Vernon community. Mount Vernon is a city of approximately 70,000 residents residing within 4.2 square miles.

It is the 8th largest city and the 2nd most densely populated city in New York State.

Mount Vernon is ethnically diverse with 77% of its population being people of color including 65% African-Americans and 12% Hispanic. The city has the highest poverty rate in Westchester County at 17.1% compared to 9.7% countywide. In addition, 7.4% of Mount Vernon households are on public assistance. This is more than twice the percentage of Westchester County and New York State. The number of Mount Vernon students who are eligible for reduced or free lunch is astronomical at 70.8% and the unemployment rate is the highest in Westchester County at 11.7%.

This is the type of information Montifiore doesn’t want you to know. As a matter of fact they are counting on the fact that even if it gets out you will not fight back in any way that can prevent them from carrying out their plans. They are telling you out right its about Profits Over Patients and counting on the fact you wont fight back, you can not do anything from stopping them. They want you to think its a wrap, they want you to give up. Seeing them actively working on the Sandford Blvd facilty is just another method to make residents think its all by done. But the fact is, it’s not over.

“The regulatory process to close the hospital and build this new replacement facility is not complete,” New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) Director of Strategic Research Edward Yoo informs the 100 plus residents who gathered, Monday , January 6th at the town hall meeting at Graham Elementary School. “There are ways we can still engage with DOH (the Department of Health), with elected officials and the state government in order to keep the hospital open.”

You can view video on Edward Yoo’s full presentation on BlackWestchester. com. You may be hearing this information for the first time, Monti is counting on despite the efforts of the coalition you will not show up on the town halls, rallies and protests.

But you have to prove them wrong. You have to stand and fight. If keeping a Central Library Status for the MVPL was important enough to come out for, how much more important should it be to come out to be engaged, to let your voices be heard to save the only hospital in the City of Mount Vernon. Did you know if the hospital is allowed to closed the city of Mount Vernon may never, ever, never-ever recieve another hospital?

Did you know that?

Saving the hospital from closing is just the first step. There needs to be a demand to transform the facilty to a state of the art medical center that can provide the necessary services needed. Transform the hospital with a maturity ward, cardiac care unit, a tramua unit, and much more. The services needed in a city with the most heart

illness.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer for all Americans, and stroke is also a leading cause of death. As frightening as those statistics are the risks of getting those diseases are even higher for African-Americans. High blood pressure, obesity and diabetes are the most common conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Mount Vernon needs a hospital that can treat what affect African-Americans, closing the hospital greatly increases your risk.

On their website, Montefire states; All patients who come to the Sandford Boulevard Emergency Department will be assessed, treated and stabilized, just as they would be in any hospital Emergency Department. People who require inpatient care will be seamlessly transferred by ambulance to the most appropriate hospital for their condition.

An ambulance will be at the site 24/7. Patients admitted to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital will be transferred directly from the Sandford Boulevard Emergency Department to a hospital inpatient room. In non-emergency situations, patients can choose any one of the excellent nearby hospitals. In fact, there are four hospitals within four miles of Mount Vernon.

But when you are having a stroke, you have a serious gunshot wound, etc. In times like this, when minutes counts, you want the fastest treatment possible. The best way to help the community was to provide the best care close to home, not be transported to area hospitals outside of the city you live in. The quicker a stroke patient is treated by medical staff, the better the chances of a full recovery. Same is true with many other serious conditions several residents of Mount Vernon deal live with.

Residents of Mount Vernon need to get engages, stay informed and most importantly stand up for the healthcare needs you want in your community. Closing the hospital in Mount Vernon will put an incredible strain on all neighboring hospitals. The moral of the story is there is still time and you do processthe power to fight to keep this hospital open.

I can promise you this, without the pushback from a large portions of the community this will be a done deal.

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BLACK WESTCHESTER IN PICTURES

JANUARY 15, 2020

BEHIND THE LENS

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MOMENTS TO REMEMBER

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2019 A YEAR IN PICTURES

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Engel_BlackWest_Dec.qxp_Layout 1 12/10/19 9:34 AM Page 1

Eliot Engel. n Equal Pay for Equal Work for Women legislation.

Rated as one n “A” rating from the NAACP. of the 10 Most n Hate Crime legislation to ban gun sales to anyone convicted of a hate crime.

Effective n Believes “Health Care is Human Right,” a leader in passing Democratic Obamacare and is an original co-sponsor of Medicare for All. Congress n Author of 3% Minimum Annual Social Members. Security Increase legislation.

Congressman Eliot Engel His record for us in Congress includes:

*

engelforcongress.com engelforcongress

@teamengel

*Rating from the Center for Effective Lawmaking

Paid for by Engel for Congress

On our side, working for us. Vote for Engel. Democratic Primary, June 23.

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914 POLITICS

WESTCHESTER INAUGURATIONS

BY AJ WOODSON

SHAWYN PATTERSON-HOWARD MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST FEMALE ELECTED MAYOR OF MOUNT VERNON BRAIN G. JOHNSON

MOUNT VERNON CORPORATION COUNSEL

GLENN SCOTT

MVPD COMMISSIONER

DEBORAH NORMAN

FDMV CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

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AND SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES

NADINE HUNT-ROBINSON MAKES HISTORY AGAIN C O N G R A T U L A T I O N BECOMES FIRST FEMALE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WHITE PLAINS COUNCIL PRESIDENT PHOTO CREDIT: ROBIN L. HAM

NEWLY APPOINTED NEW ROCHELLE CITY COURT JUDGE

JARED

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RICE

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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 three year 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.

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 STATUS Married- 33.68% Widowed - 3.16% Divorce - 14.74% Separated - 1.05% Domestic Partner or Civil Union - 2.11% Single but Cohabiting - 8.42% Single, Never Married - 36.84% HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION Graduated from High School- 9.72% GED - 2.78% Some College - 23.61% Graduated College - 37.50% Some Graduate School - 8.33% Completed Graduate School - 18.06% POLITICAL AFFILIATION Republican- 5.26% Democrat - 50.53% Independent - 25.26% Something Else - 18.95%

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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.

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RED BLUE TALK

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW: THE WORLD IS ON FIRE.

BY CHARLES STERN

Here’s a brief summary of the of some of what went down in 2019.

AMERICA’S NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CRISIS

2019, I hope, was the nadir in our current leadership crisis. On April 18, 2019 Special Counsel Robert Mueller released the long awaited Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election. Volume II stated the investigation “does not conclude that the President committed a crime”; however, “it also does not exonerate him” The Mueller Report spelled out 10 instances where Trump could have obstructed justice while President.

However, the Mueller Report was too complicated to explain in 280 characters or less. It was left to Congress to decide whether Trump had obstructed justice. There, in Congress, it sat. Democrats bickered over whether to impeach.

Republicans, clinging to the boss, fearful for their own individual political futures, insisted there was nothing to discuss.

On August 12, 2019 an anonymous whistleblower complained in writing to the chairmen of the House and Senate intelligence committees, “...I have received information from multiple U.S. Government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election.”

Wednesday, November 20, Gordon Sondland, the US Ambassador to the European Union testified in Congress, stating, “Everyone was in the loop.”

On Wednesday, December 18 the political solution for Presidential corruption was exercised under a strictly partisan vote. Thursday’s headline: TRUMP IMPEACHED.

Post-impeachment, we are left with a national crisis that may not be fixable, even with a single sweeping election victory in 2020. Republicans and Democrats need to stop all the righteous speeches and just admit that all Presidents do some bad stuff. If the smell level rises too high and the Constitution is compromised in an obvious way, then impeachment will happen. The problem with this Trump episode is that partisanship has now become like a giant life sucking parasite adhered to the democracy, and the bug grows bigger with every campaign check.

NEW ROCHELLE’S CULTURAL CIVIL WAR

MOUNT VERNON CITY HALL: LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE There is probably a low level of corruption in every municipality in New York State.

Mount Vernon tested the limits 2019, but for me the story wasn’t simply the Mayor’s trial and eventual removal for mishandling of campaign and inaugural funds.

It wasn’t the Water Department scandal, or the police pension padding story that made my jaw drop.

It was the community engagement on social media which was an absolute phenomenon. I’ve been tracking events in Mount Vernon for almost 20 years, and I cannot recall anything that consumed more energy from ordinary citizens than the unravelling of the Thomas administration and the concomitant problems. People in Mount Vernon were engaged in a deep public debate about the administration of the City’s affairs, down to the minutiae. The community itself was the star of the show.

The intense focus, the public bloviation, the anonymous posts, the endless angry group chats on Facebook and elsewhere, the raucous packed city council meetings - all of it - was actually healthy and cathartic, and it will lead to a stronger city in 2020. For all of the things that are wrong with social media, and that’s a lot, in 2019 in Mount Vernon, New York, it was democratizing and Facebook helped people become a part of the process.

Private citizen journalist Brenda Crump had been giving play-by-play comments on the activities of the Mount Vernon City Council on one summer day on Facebook Live. At a critical moment the council went into chambers, and restricted the meeting to media members only. Crump quickly handed her livestream-activated phone to Jon Bandler, a writer for The Journal News, and We The People were able to see and hear everything, live, behind close doors. It was Mount Vernon gold.

GLOBAL BIG PROBLEMS IN 2019

China has rounded up Muslims in internment camps. New York Times opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof explains that over a million Muslims are being detained by the Chinese government. He writes, “(this) appears to be the largest such internment of people on the basis of religion since the collection of Jews for the Holocaust.”

In Brazil, intentionally set fires raged across the Amazon rainforest. A lot of it resulted from clearing forests, to make room for cattle ranchers. There’s no government regulation to pump the brakes, so it’s now a worldwide crisis that is accelerating global warming.

Great Britain’s plan to leave the European Union, Brexit, made progress.

The new Brexit day, when England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will break off from the EU, is January 31, 2020. If you’re not following this, the turmoil has racial undertones. It’s a bit like, “Make England Great Again”, unfortunately.

AULD LANG SYNE

According to a November 5, 2019 report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, heavy rains impacted 547,000 people in Somalia, including 370,000 who were displaced from homes. According to Save the Children, about half the population doesn’t have enough food because they can’t grow crops. According to Forbes, jihadist fundamentalists distribute food and money to gain new young recruits, filling the gaps left by too little aid.

The fires rage on.

Dr. Laura Feijoo

Coach Lou DiRienzo

Supporters of the Coach

At the beginning of July 2019 I heard that New Rochelle had hired a new schools superintendent, Dr. Laura Feijoo. It was an unremarkable announcement until the story unfolded to reveal that Feijoo is one of several plaintiffs in a reverse discrimination lawsuit against New York City’s Department of Education, her former employer of 30 years. Parents say they weren’t consulted on the hire, the local NAACP objected and a small mob of angry residents has bombarded every school board meeting since the summer.

After about a week on the job, in November, high school football Coach Lou DiRienzo was suspended under the cloud of a pending investigation. Sports families, young people, district employees current and former, of every race and ethnic background, came together with pre-existing opponents of Dr. Feijoo and delivered a consistent message to the New Rochelle Board of Ed, that Feijoo has to go. Road signs declaring “No Feijoo” have popped up on lawns and at public events.

The New Rochelle school board’s political center of gravity is its north end, steered to an extent by a wealthy and upper middle class Jewish population that has an abiding commitment to public education. Meanwhile, tensions linger from the 2018 murder of Valerie Schwab, a white teenager at the hands of another New Rochelle High School student, Z’inah Brown, who happens to be Black. The city’s one high school is 70% non-white, 25% Black, 45% Latino. Non-white teachers are scarce.

Fueled by roaring prosperity, the 2017 Tax Cuts, and a developer-friendly Mayor, New Rochelle is experiencing a construction boom of luxury apartments.

Cranes are erecting new buildings that will eventually have 5,500 new residential units and 1,200 hotel rooms downtown. The people that live there now will need to find someplace else to go.

In July, then City Council Member Elect Yadira Herbert-Ramos was quoted in Lohud saying, “How can someone claiming reverse discrimination head a diverse community?” The school board’s President Amy Moselhi, and its Vice President, Paul Warhit, were both openly supported by Mayor Bramson when they ran for election.

The answer to Ms. Herbert-Ramos’ rhetorical question may be that the school board hired Feijoo not in spite of her reverse discrimination lawsuit, but because of it, tacitly.

Charles Stern is the Executive Producer of RedBlueTalk, weekly video content that discusses how politics and government impact everyday life. www.redbluetalk.com

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21

MOUNT VERNON NEW YORK DEDICATED TO DENZEL WASHINGTON WHO GREW UP IN THE BOYS CLUB OF MOUNT VERNON

BY JAMES A. JOHNSON

When the subject is high school basketball in New York insiders will direct you to “The City Game.” Historically, Brooklyn will be mentioned first and then the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan with schools such as Boys, Thomas Jefferson, Wingate, Erasmus Hall, Canarsie, Bishop Ford, Lincoln, Eastern District, Taft, DeWitt Clinton, Commerce, Benjamin Franklin, Rice, Power Memorial, LaSalle, and many others. Who can forget such illustrious names as Sihugo Green, Vinnie Cohen, Cal Ramsey, Tom Stith, Tony Jackson, Doug Moe, Eddie Simmons, Connie Hawkins, Roger Brown (Ind. Pacers), Billy Cunningham, Lew Alcindor ( Kareem Abdul Jabbar), Jim McMillian (Columbia U. & NBA Lakers), Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Phil Sellers, Chris Mullen, Pearl Washington (Syracuse), Tony “Red” Bruin, Mark Jackson (St. Johns & Ind. Pacers), Bernard King (Fort Hamilton, Univ. TN & NY Knicks), Ernie Grunfeld (Forest Hills, Univ TN & Milw Bucks), Kevin Joyce (Archbishop Molloy & Univ S. Carolina), Kenny Anderson (Archbishop Molloy, GA. Tech & New Jersey Nets), Eric Marbury (Lincoln), Stephon Marbury (Lincoln & NY Knicks), Lamar Odom (Christ The King & LA Lakers), Lance Stephenson (Lincoln), Kemba Walker (Rice) and others too numerous to mention.

Peers lionized them.

For the hip-hop generation readers who are not familiar with some of the above names, you should look them up online. You will learn that outstanding basketball players did not begin with Michael Jordan. His Airness is unquestionably a great player but many were flying with tremendous hops long before Michael and wearing Converse “Chuck Taylor” All-Star basketball shoes – the canvas variety.

The next group of players are playground legends whose contemporaries would whisper “if he had only………….” every time his name comes up: Earl “The Goat” Manigault, Herman “Helicopter” Knowings, Joe “The Destroyer” Hammond and Pee Wee Kirkland. Keep in mind these are only a few names that I remember because there are many more. However, with all due respect to New York City this story is about a place approximately 22 miles to the north, the city of Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon is a suburb of about 67,000 people located north of the Bronx in Westchester County, New York. It has two major sections, the south-side is urban and the north-side is residential. Mount Vernon takes its name from George Washington’s Mount Vernon in the state of Virginia.

In the late 1960s into the 1970s, Mount Vernon became a divided city by the New Haven Line railroad tracks. The population south of the tracks became predominately Black and the north side of the tracks became largely White. Today the racial makeup is about 64% Black, 16% White, 15% Hispanic and 5% other.

This story is about basketball and some of the notable people who grew up or have a strong connection to Mount Vernon. A few are nationally known like Sean “Puffy” Combs, Art Carney (Jackie Gleason Show), Dick Clark (American Bandstand) Ralph Branca (MLB Pitcher-Dodgers) and Denzel Washington (Film Star), Tami Roman (TV Personality-Basketball Wives, Model & Actress) and Roy Smith (MLB Pitcher-Clev. Inds & Minn Twins), Heavy D & the Boyz (Recording Artist), Al B. Sure (Recording Artist-Producer), Robin Givens (Mt. Vernon & New Rochelle-Actress) and Stephanie Mills (Recording Artist owned a Spanish-style house in Mt. Vernon).

The following is a shortlist of notable basketball Mount Vernon “Knights.”

Space constraints preclude many others who deserve to be mentioned.

The first great player to come from this hoop hotbed of Mount Vernon, (University of Southern California and NBA Supersonics) is Gus Williams, aka The Wizard. Gus is not in the Hall of Fame. This is a miscarriage of justice. There is no question that he absolutely deserves this honor. I refuse to publish his points per game, assists, and steals because they are all superlative and the reader can look it up and determine the accuracy of my statement. When Gus was playing ball at Mount Vernon high school in 1971 he was only 5’11” not reaching his full height of 6’ 2” until his college years. He was a lightning-quick guard averaging 24 points per game and the leader of a super quintet. This team was coached by Vince Olson and lost only one game in the postseason.

Coach Olson’s next superstar in 1972 is 6’ 4” Earl Tatum who averaged almost a triple-double at his guard position with 24 ppg., 9 rebounds, and 12 steals.

Earl and Gus were both selected High School All-American. Earl took his game to Marquette University under the tutelage of Hall of Fame Coach Al McGuire. The next stop for Earl was with the NBA L. A. Lakers, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons.

Rudy Hackett, 6’ 9” 1971 alum played his college ball at Syracuse Univ. under Coach Jim Boeheim. His NBA experience is with the NY Nets and Indiana Pacers.

Mike Young, 6’ 7” 1971.

Ivo Holland, 6’ 3’’ 1971, played college ball at Boston College 1973.

Ray Williams, 6’ 3” is the younger brother of Gus Williams who in 1973 was an outstanding player at Mt. Vernon high school. Ray piloted Mt. Vernon to 2 New York State Championships and received a scholarship to the Univ. of Minnesota. Ray played with the NBA New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, and Kansas City Kings.

Ray is now in basketball heaven.

Sam Williams, 1974 is the brother of Gus & Ray Williams. He played basketball at the Univ. of San Francisco.

Lowes Moore, 6’ 1’’ in 1976 was a bonafide High School All American at his guard position averaging 22 points per game. Lowes was so good at basketball under coach Rick Shore that he was awarded a scholarship to West Virginia University.

He played in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets, San Diego Clippers and Albany Patrons of the Continental Basketball Association. With the Albany Patrons he won 2 CBA Championships under coaches Phil Jackson and George Karl. Today Lowes Moore is the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club in Mount Vernon, New York. He is a wonderful leader in assisting girls and boys in life skills and in many other ways.

Ken Singleton, 1964, Major League Baseball with the NY Mets, Montreal Expos & Baltimore Orioles. Ken is currently a sportscaster.

Richie Garner, 6’ 0”, Basketball 1969, Manhattan College Hall of Fame.

Isaiah Cousins, 6’ 4’’ 2012, U of Oklahoma, now on Jerusalem of the Israel Premier League.

What is it about Mount Vernon, a relatively small town that produces outstanding basketball players? It is not the water they are drinking. One reason is the 4th Street Park with 2 full-size outdoor basketball courts with lights provided by the Mount Vernon Recreation Department. Darren Morton, Ed D is the Recreation Commissioner and Sylvia Gadson is the Deputy Commissioner. This is where players honed their basketball skills. Another big reason has to be the Boys and Girls Club with Melvin Campos, Chief Professional Officer, Halima Penny, Director of Outcome Management, Lowes Moore, Executive Director for Development, Sharon Young, Director of Education, Harold Smith, Unit Director, Joseph Johnson, Gym Coordinator, and many others, all working in combination to produce productive citizens. They have 3 simple goals (1) Academic Success, (2) Healthy Lifestyles and (3) Civic Responsibility. Visit the website www.bgcmvny.org and see for yourself and possibly donate.

At the very top of the educational system is Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton and Dr. Jeff Gorman, Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of Schools respectively. They set the tone and tenor of the district together with a transparent, engaged and accessible administration. The current principal at Mount Vernon H. S. on 100 California Rd is Ronald Gonzalez who is ably assisted by a concerned faculty and his secretary Sherry Watson.

The head boys’ basketball Coach is Bob Cimmino who has produced a bevy of great players and championships. Coach Cimmino reached 500 career wins in 2018. All tolled Mt. Vernon has produced 16 State Championships-PHSAA, 21 league championships, 2 undefeated seasons, 2 nationally-ranked teams and many other accomplishments.

At this point, the reader is probably asking how this writer can provide such definitive information about a city he did not live in. Part of the answer is that I am a basketball cognoscente, a former skilled basketball player, spent time in New Rochelle, New York and grew up in a neighboring state.

Carlton “Scooter” McCray, 6’ 9” and Rodney McCray, 6’ 7” are brothers and in 1978 & 1979 set neighboring high schools on fire when they came to play Mount Vernon High School. Scooter was selected as player of the Year in 1978 by the New York State Sportswriters Association. After playing for the Univ. of Louisville with Rodney, Scooter entered the NBA with the Seattle SuperSonics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Scooter and Rodney together at Univ of Louisville in 1980 won the NCAA Division I Championship. Rodney played in NBA with the Houston Rockets, Sacramental Kings and Dallas Mavericks.

Ben Gordon, 6’3” graduated in 2000 from Mt. Vernon H. S. and played college ball at UConn. His NBA experience is with the Chicago Bulls & Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Golden State Warriors.

Chris Lowe, 6’ 0”, 2005 alum, Univ. of Massachusetts graduate in 2009. Chris left U. of Massachusetts as the all-time assist leader (678). Played professionally in the NBA Development League and overseas.

Jonathan Mitchell, 6’7” 2006 alum, New York State Gatorade Player of the Year, averaged 20 points per game & led Mount Vernon to the Class AA State Title. Played college ball at Florida and Rutgers Univ. Today he is an Assistant Coach at Stetson Univ. under Coach Donnie Jones.

Kevin Jones, 6’ 8” a Parade H. S. All-American averaged 23 ppg and 14 rebounds for Mount Vernon in 2008 and won 2 Championships in the Public High School Athletic Association. Kevin played college ball at the Univ. of West Virginia. He was undrafted by the NBA but was later picked up by the Cleveland Cavaliers & Indiana Pacers Summer League. Although he has played in the NBA... (continues on page 23)

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22 BLACK WESTCHESTER

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JANUARY 15, 2020

CAN WE CELEBRATE THE REAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR?

BY DAMON K. JONES

MLK, THE BLACK POWER ICON, A LION IN THE MIST OF CUBS

As a young black man, I was always taught that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was a goalong-to-get-along leader. As I became a man, I have learned that what the media and many black leaders were teaching us about Dr. King was entirely wrong! Dr. King was much more than the “I have a Dream” speech.

Dr. King wanted America to be held accountable to its “Promise.” The creed “all men are created equal” means that people keep certain inalienable rights that are innate in all human beings, according to the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

This stems from the idea of natural rights, meaning people are naturally free to make their choices and prosper.

STANDING ON ACCOUNTABILITY – “We know through painful ON POLICE BRUTALITY – We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. MLK 1963 must be demanded by the oppressed.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1963

Dr. King also admonished Black Pastors for being silent on the issue of Dr. King was a revolutionary. He went to Washington not to just sit at the Police Brutality. counter with White People, MLK demanded America to make good on its promise. He required a CHECK! Not for himself, not for his organization but the poorest people of BLACK PASTORS BEING PASSIVE ON POLICE BRUTALITY – “You warmly the nation. commended the Birmingham police force for keeping “order” and “preventing violence.” I doubt that you would have so warmly commended ON REVOLUTION – “For years I labored with the idea of reforming the the police force if you had seen its dogs sinking their teeth into unarmed, existing institutions of the South, a little change here, a little change nonviolent Negroes. I doubt that you would so quickly commend the there. Now I feel quite differently. I think you’ve got to have a radical policemen if you were to observe their ugly and inhumane treatment of reconstruction of the entire society, a revolution of values.” MLK 1967 Negroes here in the city jail; if you were to watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls; if you were to see them slap and

He also recognized the unjustified to many black people and the kick old Negro men and young boys; if you were to observe them, as they unwillingness of the US government to solve the problem. He demanded black did on two occasions, refuse to give us food because we wanted to sing people to “redistribute the pain” by economic boycotts. our grace together. I cannot join you in your praise of the Birmingham

Dr. King recognized our financial strength by promoting cooperative police department.” MLK 1963 economics. Something for the most part Black Leadership has failed to improve as a whole.

Here we are decades after the life and death of Martin Luther King Jr.

Many Black Preachers have refused to come from behind the pulpit or still marching, singing and fighting for jobs, justice and to be recognized as huthe walls of their cities and challenge injustice and speak truth to power like man beings in the eyes of White people.

Dr. King, but love to claim him every holiday and Black History Month.

Whatever prejudice affects the Black man in Mt. Vernon, affects the Black Maybe if we told the true story of Dr. King, the real issues he fought for and Man in White Plains, and whatever affects the Black Man in White Plains, has stood up against and emulate not just his word but his actions; we can finally an impact on the Black Man in Yonkers. Dr. King saw no boundaries in fighting say one day “Free at Last.” for injustice.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. KING SPEAKING OUT ON INJUSTICE – “But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. Editor’s Note: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday was finally approved as a left their villages and carried their “thus saith the Lord” far beyond the federal holiday in 1983, and all 50 states made it a state government holiday boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his by 2000. Officially, King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta. But the King village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far holiday is marked every year on the third Monday in January. He would have corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the been 91-year-old this year. gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.

Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. 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. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” MLK 1963

Dr. King also knew that the fight against injustice must be brought out in the open for the world to see.

ON COMING FROM BEHIND THE PULPIT – “We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured.”

This is one of the reasons the young don’t have faith in our leadership because they don’t see our leadership openly addressing the injustice that our youth see every day.

Would Dr. King have publicly supported Democratic candidates that were responsible for Mass Incarnation of Black People, inadequate legislation and the poor economic development of many Black cities run by Black Democrats?

ON BLACK POLITICIANS – “The majority of [Black] political leaders do not ascend to prominence on the shoulders of mass support…most are still selected by white leadership, elevated to position, supplied with resources and inevitably subjected to white control. The mass of [Blacks] nurtures a healthy suspicion towards this manufactured leader.” 1967

Dr. King believed in our unity as black people to gain power politically and economically not from dealing from a position of political, economic weakness that we do today.

TRUMP AND HIS CO-CONSPIRITORS DISHONORS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR’S MEMORY

BY AJ WOODSON

Previous presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama made it a tradition to participate in service and volunteer events on MLK Day. Obama and his family would do activities such as working in a soup kitchen or painting a mural at a family shelter. Bush attended church, cultural services honoring King, or joined service events. Clinton signed legislation to designate the holiday as a national day of service.

Things are much different with the current occupier of the White House.

In 2018, Trump spent the federal holiday at his Florida golf club. Last year, he also made an unannounced visit to the National Mall memorial, where he laid a wreath to honor King. In 2020, Trump makes what amounts to a drive-by insincere, unscheduled, unannounced trip to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall before departing for Davos, Switzerland, while his Senior Counselor Kellyanne Conway had the unmitigated gall to get on the television a with a straight face insinuate that MLK Jr. had a different hope for Americans than what is happening to Trump via the impeachment.

“I don’t think it was within Dr. King’s vision to have Americans dragged through a process where the president is not going to be removed from office, is not being charged with bribery, extortion, high crimes or misdemeanors,” she said. “And I think that anybody who cares about ‘and justice for all’ on today or any day of the year will appreciate the fact that the president now will have a full-throttle defense on the facts, and everybody should have that.”

While honestly I cannot pretend I am surprise about anything the third United States President to be impeached says or does, I will not remain quiet while he and his co-conspirators dishonor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Throughout his life, Dr. King warned us to refrain from keeping silent or to sit on the sidelines of life and watch injustice; rather we need to speak out and consciously push back against it.; “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

I will continue to speak up and ‘consciouly push back against injustice, systematic racism and even dishonor of Dr. King by Trump and his crew.

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914 MUSIC

BLACK WESTCHESTER 23

THIS MONTH IN BLACK HISTORY THE LOX DROP DEBUT ALBUM

BY AJ WOODSON

This month in Black History, three legendary wordsmiths from Yonkers – Jason “Jadakiss” Phillips, David “Styles P” Styles, and Sean “Sheek Louch” Jacobs – released the classic Hip-Hop album, “Money, Power, Respect.” After signing with Bad Boy, working with Puff Daddy was a smart move on their behalf. Despite the fact they wanted a more street sound and affiliation, this was a great debut album,

MOUNT VERNON NEW YORK

that includes the classic single and their title track featuring the Queen B herself, Lil Kim.

Let me set the tone… Biggie died in March 1997. His posthumous album “Life After Death” was quickly followed by Puff Daddy & The Family’s “No Way Out,” and Mase’s “Harlem World,” and then on January 13, 1998, the Lox dropped their debut disc, “Money, Power & Respect,” featured production from The Hitmen, Dame Grease and Swizz Beatz.

By the time of their debut, The LOX were already a household name in Hip-Hop, having appeared on the aforementioned albums (most notably in Big’s “Last Days” and Puff’s “It’s All About the Benjamins”), one of the hottest Hip-Hop joints coming out of the 914.

The album found huge success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned two charting singles, “Money, Power & Respect” and “If You Think I’m Jiggy”. In 2008, the title track was ranked number 53 on Vh1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

The LOX entered their mainstream career well prepared, garnering a gold album and a gold single within months (the album went platinum in ’99). Combs was instrumental in that success, from considering the endorsement by fellow Yonkers artist Mary J. Blige, to shortening the somewhat nerdy name The Warlocks to The LOX (which came to stand for Living Off Xperience), to providing the label’s production expertise. As Mase and Puff himself covered Bad Boy’s pop-rap which was in heavy rotation, The LOX, continued the gritty street rap New York was known for and like The Notorious BIG, they could combine commercial, madd microphone skills and that underground street flava.

After commercial success with Bad Boy, The LOX decided it was time for a change.

In the summer of 1999, the trio found themselves disappointed with the direction of Bad Boy, and the trio wanted to be released from their contract in order to join Ruff Ryders. The Ruff Ryders had always served as The Lox’s managers and the group felt like the new label could better represent the hard-core sensibilities which they expressed in their rhymes. Bad Boy was known for its radio-friendly dance hits and high priced videos, while the Lox were quickly establishing themselves as hardcore rap artists. The identities clashed — “We just needed to be with a rougher label,” said Sheek Louch. “A harder label that fits our image.”

The Lox tried all of the legal maneuvering available to be released from their contract with Bad Boy. However, the lawyers and conference calls did not work. At a New York rap concert, the trio sported “Let The LOX Go” T-shirts and sparked a grassroots movement to “Free The Lox.” Pressure resultant from the campaign ultimately caused Bad Boy and Puff Daddy to release the trio from their contract and they went on to record the sophomore album, “We Are The Streets,” containing the anthem, “Wild Out”, and several collabos with their Double-R Brethren.

“We really changed the game by doing that,” says Styles concerning the contractual drama. “It might take years from now, but other people are gonna do it. We made it so they don’t have to be scared to speak up.”

What followed was a series of solo albums, an extensive list of collaborations (individually and collectively), the opening and operating of a few juices bars, their own label D-Blok in partnership with Roc Nation, releasing their long-awaited junior effort, “Filthy America…It’s Beautiful,” in 2016 and a 4-track EP titled “4 No Reason” in 2017.

Black Westchester salutes the legendary Lox who have carve their place in HipHop and represented Y-O to the fullest

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21)

Kevin is best known for his play with the current team Alvark Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan.

Michael Coburn, 6’0” 2007 alum, averaged 22 ppg, for State Championship team. He played at Rutgers Univ.

Jabarie Hinds, 5’11” Guard, New York Player of the Year, 18 ppg & 4 assist ppg. Univ of West Virginia transferred to Univ. of Mass. Led Mount Vernon to the NY Class AA State Championship in 2011. Currently playing overseas with MZT Skopie Aerodrome in Skopie, North Macedonia.

Andre Drummond, 6’11” at 280 pounds played one year of college ball at UConn. He is currently an All-Star with the NBA Detroit Pistons since 2012.

Andre was born and lived in Mount Vernon until age seven and moved to Middletown, CT. Al Skinner, 6’ 3” was born in Mount Vernon, NY, Malverne H. S. alum, Univ.

MA 1973, ABA New York Nets reunited with Julius Irving and Coached at Univ. of Rhode Island, Boston College, and Kennesaw State.

Denzel Washington, 6’ 1” is an actor, director, and producer. He has received three Golden Globe Awards and a bevy of other honors. However, what the public does not know is that Denzel was a basketball guard at Fordham Univ. under Coach P. J. Carlesimo. I believe Denzel credits his success and acquired values, in large part, from participation in the Boys & Girls Club in Mount Vernon, New York.

I will not say goodbye but see you later because I have more good stories to tell.

About the Author: James A. Johnson is a basketball cognoscente, historian, and an accomplished attorney. He is an active member of the Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas and Federal Court Bars. Jim concentrates on sports & entertainment law, serious personal injury, insurance coverage under the commercial general liability policy and federal criminal defense. He can be reached at www.JamesAJohnsonEsq.com

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A’YANNA ARMSTRONG’S BOOK SIGNING AT MACEDONIA BAPTIST SUNDAY, JAN 19TH

Mt. Vernon native A’yanna Armstrong, author of the new book, “A Hope For Justice,” has book signing at Macedonia Baptist Church (141 South 9th Ave, Mt Vernon), Sunday, January 19th and then stopped by the People Before Politics Radio Show, later that evening to chop it up on her new book, getting out of her initial publishing deal, choosing the selfpublishing route and much more.

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SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER SINCE 2014

You have to understand - I come from a neighborhood where ‘The Wire’ was filmed. - Elijah Cummings COMPLIMENTARY

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

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