Volume 6/ Issue 12 BW July 15, 2023

Founded in 2014 by DAMON K. JONES

AJ WOODSON

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BLACK STUDENTS TO SUFFER MOST FROM SCOTUS STUDENT DEBT RULING

FPWA CEO Jennifer Jones

Austin issued the following statement today in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn President Biden’s student debt relief program. FPWA’s latest analysis demonstrates the lack of civil rights progress since the 1963 March on Washington, which includes an increased racial gap in difficulty paying off student debt.

“As an organization dedicated to fighting poverty and supporting individuals with low incomes, FPWA condemns the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down student debt relief for millions of Americans.

The overturn of President Biden’s student loan debt forgiveness program will not be felt equally because the burden of student loan debt is not shouldered equally. Our latest analysis shows that Black college graduates owe an average $25,000 more in debt because even with identical degrees, they make far less per year than their white peers. Lower earning power contributes to longer times to pay off student debt, and delayed purchasing power for known generational wealth-building mechanisms like homeownership.

FPWA remains committed to shedding the light on the racial and economic inequity embedded in this issue and pushing forward policy solutions that uplift Americans struggling with financial security.”

“This morning, the Supreme Court demolished the possibility of financial freedom for 43 million Americans. Republicans have consistently tried to block student loan relief from their constituents while they sit back and have their business loans forgiven. Millions of Americans deserve and would benefit from student debt relief. Black and brown Americans who have experienced the consequences of the racial wealth gap deserve relief. Young people who grew up hearing that education is the key to success and were victimized by predatory loan policies deserve relief. Working Americans who didn’t get the opportunity to finish their degree and don’t benefit from generational wealth deserve relief. Student debt relief is a racial and economic justice issue. The burden that student debt places on families is immense and unforgiving. I will always continue fighting for hard working people who are drowning in debt and to make sure that every person, no matter their background, has access to an affordable, high quality education.”

RUFF RYDERS TO THE RESCUE TEAMS UP WITH AT&T TO LAUNCH THE REGION’S ONLY FREE DIGITAL LITER ACY

Ruff Ryders to the Rescue is teaming up with AT&T to launch a free digital literacy and technology summer program designed to address equality issues in tech education, and help students impacted by the digital divide in Yonkers and the Bronx. The press conference will be located at 30 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701 on June 28, 2023 at 1:00 pm.

During Ruff Ryders to the Rescue’s AT&T Digital Experience, over 60 underrepresented middle and high school students across Yonkers and the Bronx will gain important skills in digital literacy and readiness. To close the pervasive diversity gap in the tech industry, participants are also encouraged to explore tech careers and education options. Through a $50,000 contribution from AT&T, the program is free and eliminates economic barriers. Parents interested in enrolling their child can register at Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club on University Ave.

Details on the Ruff Ryders to the Rescue’s AT&T Digital Experience program were announced on June 28th by leadership of the Ruff Ryders to the Rescue Foundation, executives from AT&T and local elected officials and community stakeholders.

“We are pleased to announce our upcoming collaboration with AT&T to bring a technology program to our rescue Yonkers location and the Bronx’s Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club location. We at Ruff Ryders to the Rescue want to help close the gap between the government, the community, the youth, and the Educators. The two summer programs will begin July 5, 2023, and end August 16, 2023. To sign up, go to www.ruffryders2therescue.org, and administrators will follow up regarding your application. Admission is on a first come, first serve basis”, said Executive Director, Sandra Adams.

NY WORKING FAMILIES PARTY CELEBRATES KEY VICTORIES ACROSS NEW YORK STATE

In response to the Democratic primary election results, Jasmine Gripper and Theo Oshiro, State Officers for the New York Working Families Party, have issued the following statement on behalf of the party:

“We’re thrilled to celebrate a number of exciting victories last night. Yadira RamosHerbert and Celeste Friend have the opportunity to be the first women elected mayors in New Rochelle and Utica, respectively. We also protected key WFP leaders across the state in a year where conservative Democrats sought to make gains.

“In a low turnout year, it takes a tremendous amount of work to elevate first-time candidates. We were incredibly proud to propel brand new WFP candidates to victory in Syracuse, Ithaca, Newburgh, Rochester, and more. Our party played a critical role in helping progressive candidates build the infrastructure and assemble the resources they needed to win. We look forward to working alongside these new leaders to provide real solutions to the state’s housing and affordability crises.

“When people have something to vote for, they show up to the polls. This November, the WFP will continue to do just that.”

The NYWFP also celebrated the historic victory of Yadira Ramos Herbert in her bid to becoime New Rochelle’s first female mayor.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate Yadira Ramos Herbert’s historic victory tonight. Yadira is the right person to lead New Rochelle into the future, and we look forward to working with her to make housing more affordable, strengthen our public schools and libraries, and expand opportunities for our young people.”

GREENBURGH FARMERS MARKET GRAND OPENIN G

The Greenburgh Town Board unanimously approved the new Greenburgh/Fairview Farmers Market on Manhattan Ave at a special meeting on June 30th. Opening day is Saturday July 1 from 9 AM to 2 PM. If you qualify for food stamps please sign up for this great deal: CAS shares. The Market is going to be held every Saturday until the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The location: MANHATTAN AVE/ELM STREET. (near the apartment buildings). If you don’t qualify for the CSA benefits - stop by at the market. Enjoy the fruits, vegetables,

BY PRISCILLA ECHI

Westchester County is bubbling over with musical gems. This two-time Grammy Award nominee, was discovered by Hip-Hop Mogul Russell Simmons who found him worthy of taking a risk, subsequently signing him to Def Jam Records.

Prior to getting signed Case co-wrote and sang background for artists like Al B Sure, Usher, and Christopher Williams.

In 1996, when the Industry was ripe with new sounds and experimentation, singer, songwriter, and producer Case Woodard rolled out the smash hit, “Touch me, Tease me” ft Mary J Blige and Foxy Brown premiering on “The Nutty Professor” soundtrack. The Gold single sent shivers throughout the music world hitting #4 on R&B Songs and #14 on Billboard top 100. It also crossed international cultural barriers climbing charts in the UK.

The debut album self titled “Case” has heavy-hitter production from Prince Charles Alexander Joseph “Jo-Jo” Brim Terence Dudley Christopher “Roc Head” Kellam Kenny “K-Smoove” Kornegay (exec.) James “Jimmy” Maynes Kevin “Big Kev” McDaniel and Darryl “88” Young.

A few years later Case followed up with the 1999 release of “Personal Conversations”. The album went Gold, featuring songs that took artistic liberty and freedom thematically speak on subjects like marriage. “Happily Ever After” the video— featured Beyoncé as Case’s love interest at a time where some would arguably say she’d just began budding with promise.

Def Jam, wanting to expand, had its heart set on the R&B market. In order to corner it they opened Def Soul in 2001— releasing Case as it’s first influencer. His third album “Open Letter” quickly saturated the market with the number #1 hit single “Missing You”. Simultaneously, he had another smash hit on Ja-Rule’s album titled “Living It Up” which was released as a single from the album “Pain Is Love”.

Open Letter went on to earn Case his first Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (“Missing You”) he also received another nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (“Livin’ It Up”).

Case has received incredible success with his soundtrack singles. Some of the most popular titles are “Touch Me Tease Me” (Nutty Professor), “Faded Pictures” (Rush Hour), “Best Man I Can Be” (The Best Man),”Missing You” (Nutty Professor II), “Shoulda Known Betta” featuring Ghostface (Johnson Family Vacation)

After all the accoutrements life offered Case he took some time underground and didn’t resurface until 2008— on yet another soundtrack for Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns.

During the years of 2009 to 2018 Case went on to release 4 additional studio albums:

The Rose Experience (2009)

Here, My Love (2010)

Heaven’s Door (2015)

Therapy (2018)

It must be both liberating and gratifying to know that the very songs that catapulted your career can still move a crowd right next to your new material. “Happily Ever After” has remained one of the quintessential wedding songs for two decades. Case help restructure a sound that was coming out of that era melodically. It helped him to dance on uncharted territory and showcase all of his incredible talents. In between music Case has since gotten married to the mother of his third child. He has been living in Atlanta, relocating from New York to be near his other two children.

Although he has moved, his legacy remains intact as one of the most celebrated incredibly talented artist to do it from Money Earnin Mount Vernon, NY!

Follow everything Case on social media: Instagram : @iam_case Twitter : @Case_Music

WESTCHESTER MUSIC LEGENDS

STEPHANIE MILLS

BY AJ WOODSON

VANESSA WILLIAMS

BY AJ WOODSON

If you make a list of singers and entertainers that have embodied a wealth of accomplishments for half of a century that are still producing timeless works and garnering achievements, you will have an exclusive group of individuals that have made indelible marks throughout their career. One it would be a short list and two, longtime Mount Vernon resident Stephanie Mills would be on that list.

From her start at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre at the early age of 9-years-old, opening for acts including, The Isley Brothers and James Brown, through her 1975 debut as Dorothy in the Broadway musical hit, “The Wiz”, to her 1980 Grammywinning R&B smash, “Never Knew Love Like This Before,” to being featured on Dreamin with

Fat Joe & Remy Ma, in 2017, Ms. Mills has proven she has that staying power. Stephanie Dorthea Mills has been a consummate performer her entire career.

“Fat Joe’s wife and I have the same hairdresser, so she came to do my hair and said ‘Fat Joe loves you, and he has this song he wants you to do,’ and I was like, ‘Ok,’” The First Lady of R&B said in a 2017 Singersroom.com interview. “I called him up and went to the studio and did the hook for it and that’s how that came about. I love Fat Joe, and I love Remy Ma.”

There’s no place like being “home” on a stage for actress Stephanie Mills, who became a household name more than 40 years ago by playing Dorothy in the original Broadway production of “The Wiz,” in which she sang the anthem, “Home.” In 2015, Mills was cast as Aunt Em in the NBC live musical production of The Wiz, forty years after her initial Broadway run in the show.

The song “Home” from the show later became a Number 1 U.S. R&B hit for Mills and her signature song. During the 1980s, Mills scored five Number 1 R&B hits, including “Home”, “I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love”, “I Feel Good All Over”, “(You’re Puttin’) A Rush on Me” and “Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)”. Mills won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her song “Never Knew Love Like This Before” in 1981.

Stephanie has recently been outspoken about her frustration with police brutality, and encouraging love and mutual respect in the black community with her non-profit organization, “Love Your Worth.” She has been blacklisted for her outspokenness regarding injustice but remains unafraid to organize against injustice.

“Its awful, our beautiful Black Men just being shot down...” she said on Circle of Sisters TV.

Stephanie Mills has one of the most powerful voices in soul music history now she uses it to speak up and encouraging others to speak up against injustice.

Singer, actress, and fashion designer, Vanessa Williams gained recognition when she made history as the first African-American to receive the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984 in 1983. However, a scandal arose the following year when, a few weeks prior to the end of her reign, Williams learned that Penthouse would be publishing unauthorized nude photographs of her in an upcoming issue. Amid growing media controversy and scrutiny, Williams resigned as Miss America in July 1984 (under pressure from the Miss America Organization), and was replaced by first runner-up Miss New Jersey Suzette Charles. Thirty-two years later, Miss America CEO Sam Haskell offered her a public apology (during the Miss America 2016 pageant) for the events of 1984. But Vanessa Lynn Williams who grew up in Elmsford and now resides in Chappaqua would not let the scandal

hold her back and she persevered to become a successful singer and actress.

In 1988, she released her debut studio album The Right Stuff whose title single saw moderate success before “Dreamin’” peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States in 1989.

With her second and third studio albums, The Comfort Zone (1991) and The Sweetest Days (1994), she saw continued commercial success and received multiple Grammy Award nominations - this included her number-one hit (in early 1992) and signature song, “Save the Best for Last”, which she performed live at the 1993 Grammy Awards ceremonies. Her recent studio albums include Everlasting Love (2005) and The Real Thing (2009).

As an actress, Williams enjoyed success on both stage and screen, receiving an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her portrayal of Teri Joseph in the film Soul Food (1997). Her best-known television roles are that of Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty (2006–10), for which she was nominated three times for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and Renee Perry on Desperate Housewives (2010–12).

Vanessa Williams, 56, truly does it all! Since winning the Miss America title in 1983, she has taken on acting roles, a singing career, multiple philanthropic ventures, and even clothing design. Not to mention, she’s also a mother of four!

“I’ve had that career, where every time I’ve had an accomplishment, people would say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know she could do that.’” She added in an August 2019 Hollywoodlife.com interview, that starring in Kiss Of The Spider Woman on Broadway in 1994 was another highlight, especially because “people that only knew me as a recording artist and a pop star did not know my theater background.”

Vanessa Williams has been in the entertainment industry since 1983 and continues to land major roles!

This Westchester living legend is the epitome of perseverance and can teach a lesson or two on longevity.

LOUIS FARRAKHAN - THE CHARMER FRANK SCHIFFMAN - THE APOLLO

BY DAMON K JONES

It was lower Roxbury, Boston, the mid1950s. Belafonte’s Caribbean sound was breaking big-time, but in the neighborhood - remembers Daisy Voigt, who in those days wrote a teen column under the name Dizzy Dame Daisy - The Charmer held sway.

Everybody also knew him as Gene Walcott, the musical pride of the West Indian immigrant community served by the Boston Graphic weekly newspaper. In coming years, he would become more imfamously known The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

years help to illuminate his personality. Minister Farrakhan (born Louis Eugene Walcott) always wanted to be a musician. The man has been drawing -- and pleasing -- crowds since the age of 16, as both a calypso singer and a classical violinist. He even released a lively recording in the ‘80s that represented a reaffirmation of his calypso roots

One of the most facinating things we learned while putting this issue together was The World Famous Apollo Theater was founded by a white jewish man from Mount Vernon.

Harlem’s Apollo Theater was once a whitesonly burlesque house, until the city shut down the circuit in 1934. That’s when Mount Vernon’s Frank Schiffman, a promoter specializing in what was then called “race music,” brought the place.

The calypso period isn’t a a much publicized part of the Honorable Minister’s resume but those early years. He recruited young talents like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, James Brown, and Billie Holiday—many of whom got their start at the Apollo’s famous “Amateur Night,” at which only those who received the audience’s approval were invited back to perform.

Minister Farrakhan has been in the spotlight since being a teenager when he plaid on “Ted Mack Amateur Hour” in 1949. His calypso styles song “A White Man’s Heaven Is a Black Man’s Hell,” released in the late 1950s, was known throughout the black power movement.

In 1965, after Minister Farrakhan was promoted to the National Representative of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad he relocated to Mosque No. 7 in Harlem, and resided in New Rochelle. He made history in 1995 with one of the most successful Marches on the Washington Mall; the Million Man March. Minister Farrakhan was inspired to call the March out of his concern over the negative image of Black men perpetuated by the media and movie industries, which focused on drugs and gang violence. The Million Man March established October 16 as a Holy Day of Atonement, Reconciliation, and Responsibility.

In April 2012, he played to a packed audience at the Multipurpose Centre auditorium, according to the Antigua Observer. A culmination of a Caribbean tour by the Nation of Islam (NOI) leader, including visits to Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. The tour by Farrakhan had as its theme the “Power of Caribbean Unity and Black Economics.”

In those days, 125th Street for all its theatrical glamour was hospitable to blacks as performers but not welcoming to African-American as members of the audience. But Mr. Schiffman believed it would be wise — and also good business — to welcome anyone who cared to buy a ticket. The formula worked, and worked well.

The Apollo is also where the Civil Rights movement dawned and flourished. The Apollo and activism go hand-in-hand. For artists like Nina Simone and Sam Cooke, the theater became a safe haven where they could express themselves.

Several years after it opened, the Apollo held a benefit for the Scottsboro Boys — nine African-Americans jailed for allegedly raping two white women on a train in Alabama in 1931. The benefit raised money for teens’ legal defense.

The Apollo also served as a sanctuary for artists of the Harlem renaissance that gave rise to a sense of black nationalism, which became the cornerstone of the Civil Rights movement.

In addition to The Apollo being the place ‘Where Stars are Born and Legends are Made’ also played host to one of the biggest freedom fighters of our lifetime, South African president Nelson Mandela. Two decades later, the theater welcomed America’s first black president, Barack Obama.

FRIENDS & FAMILY MARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR JARRELL GARRIS WHO WAS FATALLY SHOT BY NRPD DETECTIVE STEPHEN CONN

BY AJ WOODSON

Friends and family of Jarrell Garris marched from Starbucks in Wykagyl on North Avenue to the New Rochelle Police Department on Friday, July 21st to honor his life. The 37-year-old unarmed Black man was shot and killed by New Rochelle Detective Stephan Conn.

Bodycam footage released by the NRPD shows officers and a detective confronting Garris on Lincoln Avenue and asking about stolen food on July 3. Police say Garris reached at one of the officer’s guns, which is when Garris was shot, but all three body cam videos shut off before the fatal shot and controdict the department’s statement.

Family members told Black Westchester, Garris suffered from mental illness, and that police in the area knew of him. They are demanding Det. Conn be fired.

“Tonight, I’m really praying for unity and that people that see this march understand that this could be your son, this can be your dad, this can be your sister, this can be your brother,” said Reverend Jamel Hollis. “It’s going to be important everybody get involved.”

All three of the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.

“I promise you on everything I love, I ain’t goin nowhere, I’m gonna stand on thesse right here (pointing to his feet), I standing ten toes down, I ain’t going nowhere until we get justice for my son,” Raymond Fowler, father of Jarrel (pictured above) said on the steps on the New Rochelle Police Department located at 475 North Avenue, after the march. “Yall gotta be mindful, there think we’re gonna tear up shit, we gonna beat em with this (he says pointing to his brain), and their own law. Cause they know they violated my son’s human rights, they killed him like an animal. [Detective] Stephen Conn is a coward. Anytime you hear the code word gun, that means shoot, that’s what that is, thats the code word for shoot. You got a taser, you got pepperspray and you wanted to shoot him, why? Shoot him and paralyze him instantly. Monday I meet with the AG, but it don’t even matter cause at the end of the day I know who the best of planners is, it ain’t mankind, Allah is the best planner, God is the best planner and that’s who I put my faith and my trust in. they tried to smear my son talking about his charges, what about Steve Conn’s charges? How th ehell he end up being a police officer? Huh? You got an assualt charge, you shooting up dogs and you still become an officer? How do you serve and protect, how is that possible? If anybody need a psych evalution, its Steve Conn. On June 9th they promoted him to Dectective. So as a dectective you are supposed to de-esculate the situation, not esculate it and thats what he did. Show all the video, show all the body cam, dont edit that shit out, let’s see all of it, show all of it. they claimed my son reached for a gun, show when yall are beating my son before you shot him. They’r enot going to do that. They are trying to paint this false narrative. Thats why I made it my business to be here today and thats why I made it business to be there when it first happened, And I aint going nowhere, as long as I have breath in my body, regardless of what the decision is, I know the law and I’m gonna do what I gotta do.” (“And we gonan be here with you,” shouted out the crowd)

“As a community, we can’t accept it,” said New Rochelle NAACP Acting President Aisha Cook at the start of the march. “We need to be out here, we need to be in force and we need to make sure that everybody knows that we do not stand for it, it’s not ok.

Distressing bodycam video captured the moment police in Westchester County fatally shot a man accused of stealing fruit – which his father described as a “modern-day lynching.”

Three New Rochelle cops — identified as Kari Bird, Gabrielle Chavarry and Detective Steven Conn — confronted Jarrell Garris, 37, at a grocery store on July 3. Detective Conn fired one round, which hit Garris in the neck and impacted his cervical spine and spinal cord, the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office said July 12.

Garris remained in a coma and was taken off life support on July 10. His death was ruled a homicide and is being investigated by the state Attorney General’s Office.

The AG’s Office of Special Investigation takes over when a police officer may have caused a person’s death, according to state law. Stay tuned to Black Westchester for updates on this case!

BY PRISCILLA ECHI

“Oh Ella...” the name even rolls of the tongue eloquently. What the First Lady of Song did for music in the early 20’s has allowed us to still bow at the mere mention of her name 100 years later.

How did she end up on School St. you ask?? Well, after her father William and Mother Temperance (Tempie) went their separate ways Ella and her mother migrated to Yonkers to a mostly mixed neighborhood. She made friends easily because she was very personable and kind but it’s wasn’t to be taken taken for weakness. Ella moonlighted as a runner for local gamblers, socially conscious yet unruly enough to pick up bets and drop off the cash without fear.

This fed her tomboy-ish demeanor. It’s also gave her the hutzpah needed to navigate the predominantly testosterone fueled industry.

Jazz and Blues was so much more than performances at smoke filled speakeasies with corset drawn foxes strutting on stages.

It was a sophisticated harmonic sound that became immortal and defined an entire era called “The Jazz Age”. New York, became the quintessential melting pot for budding Jazz stars.

What better place than Yonkers NY.

BY AJ WOODSON

Mount Vernon’s Nina Simone, who would’ve celebrated her 86th birthday this year, was known for using her musical platform to speak out. “I think women play a major part in opening the doors for better understanding around the world,” the “Strange Fruit” songstress once said. Though she chose to keep her personal life shrouded in secrecy, these facts grant VIP access into a life well-lived and the music that still lives on.

At the age of 12, Simone refused to play at a church revival because her parents had to sit at the back of the hall. From then on, Simone used her art to take a stand. Many of her songs in the ‘60s, including “Mississippi Goddamn,” “Why (The King of Love Is Dead),” and “Young, Gifted and Black,” addressed the rampant racial injustices of that era.

As one can imagine, her activism wasn’t always welcome. Her popularity diminished; venues didn’t invite her to perform, and radio stations didn’t play her songs. But she pressed on—even after the Civil Rights Movement. In 1997, Simone told Interview Magazine that she addressed her songs to the third world. In her own words: “I’m a real rebel with a cause.”

“Mississippi Goddam,” her 1964 anthem, only took her 20 minutes to an hour to write, according to legend—but it made an impact that still stands the test of time. When she wrote it, Simone had been fed up with the country’s racial unrest. Medger Evers, a Mississippi-born civil rights activist, was assassinated in his home state in 1963. That same year, the Ku Klux Klan bombed a Birmingham Baptist church and as a result, four young black girls were killed. Simone took to her notebook and piano to express her sentiments.

It molded her whisper to scat vocals that ranged in songs of heartache, preserverance, and romance and captivated the entire globe.

In the 20’s... to have won 13 Grammy awards, and sold over 40 million albums was unheard of. Especially for an African American— and, a woman at that! With a face that held the image of a saint and voice that could imitate the instrument in a 12 peice orchestra,

It’s no surprise all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie had the honor of working with her. She packed venues worldwide to the boarders with a sultry voice that drew you close as a baby suckling from its mother.

“Oh no... They can’t take that away from me” fittingly describes her unmatched legacy. The equivalency present day would by far surpass all of the modern day greats combined. There is no one that could even come close.

Oh Ella...

*Do yourself a favor and got to YouTube and search “Non Stop Ella 2.5 hrs Ella Fitzgerald and just get in the car and drive* .... thank me later

ELLA FITZGERALD - SCHOOL STREET BLUES NINA SIMONE

“Alabama’s gotten me so upset/Tennessee made me lose my rest/And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam,” she sang.

Some say that the song was banned in Southern radio stations because “goddam” was in the title. But others argue that the subject matter is what caused the stations to return the records cracked in half.

Despite the fact Nina released over 40 albums during her decades-spanning career including studio albums, live versions, and compilations, and scored 15 Grammy nominations, she never had a number one hit.

She used her style to make a statement - Head wraps, bold jewelry, and floor-skimming sheaths were all part of Simone’s stylish rotation.

You’ve probably heard her music in recent hits. Rihanna sang a few verses of Simone’s “Do What You Gotta Do” on Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo. He’s clearly a superfan: “Blood on the Leaves” and his duet with Jay Z, “New Day,” feature Simone samples as well, along with Lil’ Wayne’s “Dontgetit,” Common’s “Misunderstood” and a host of other tracks. Nina Simone was sampled in 285 songs, there have been 249 covers and 19 remixes. Below is a brief list of some of the artists who sampled Nina.

FOUR WOMEN (1966) - Was sampled in 8 songs

The Story of O.J. by Jay-Z (2017) - Multiple Elements

For Women by Reflection Eternal (2000) - Vocals / Lyrics

Stronger by Prodigy (2011) - Multiple Elements

STRANGE FRUIT (1965) - Was sampled in 8 songs

Blood on the Leaves by Kanye West (2013) - Multiple Elements

Celebrate by Cassidy feat. John Legend (2007) - Vocals / Lyrics

DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO (1968) - Was sampled in 4 songs

Famous by Kanye West feat. Rihanna and Swizz Beatz (2016) - Vocals / Lyrics

Wanksta by 50 Cent (2002) - Vocals / Lyrics

Do by Keith Murray (2007) - Multiple Elements

FEELING GOOD (1965) - Was sampled in 65 songs

New Day by Jay-Z and Kanye West (2011) - Vocals / Lyrics

Bad News by 50 Cent feat. G-Unit (2002) - Multiple Elements

Birds Flying High by Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana (2007) - Vocals / Lyrics

About You by Mary J. Blige feat. will.i.am (2005) - Multiple Elements

New Life (Intro) by AZ (1998) - Vocals / Lyrics

New Life by Ice-T (2006) - Vocals / Lyrics

BALTIMORE (1978) - Was sampled in 9 songs

Caught Their Eyes by Jay-Z feat. Frank Ocean (2017) - Multiple Elements

The Ocean by The Game ft. Dr. Dre and Busta Rhymes (2011) - Multiple Elements

L.I.F.E.by Lone Catalysts (2006) - Hook / Riff

DON’T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD (1964) - Was sampled in 35 songs

DontGetIt by Lil Wayne (2008) - Multiple Elements

Black Zombie by Nas (2002) - Multiple Elements

DON’T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD LIVE (1967) - Was sampled in 2 songs

Misunderstood by Common feat. Bilal (2007) - Vocals / Lyrics

Nina Revisited… A Tribute to Nina Simone was released along with the Netflix documentary in 2015. On the album, Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Usher, Alice Smith, and more paid tribute to the legend by performing covers of 16 of her most famous tracks.

REMEMBERING HEAVY D

BY AJ WOODSON

You cannot have a discussion about music from the 914 without including the Overweight Lover, Hip-Hop legend Heavy D. During the course of his 25-plus year career, the larger than life entertainer was a superstar in every sense of the word.

As the first group on Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records, Hev helped kick off a new brand of Hip-Hop Soul that would become known as New Jack Swing.

Before the success of acts like Guy, Mary J. Blige and Jodeci, it was Heavy D that was the cornerstone of Uptown Records. In fact rapper turned Record Executive Andre Harrell departed from Def Jam and launched Uptown largely off the potential of Heavy D.Hev was instrumental in the structure of the Uptown roster including getting Al B Sure a deal and getting Andre Harrel to hire Diddy as a intern

He is the only rapper to have worked with both Michael Jackson - The King of Pop (Jam) and his sister Janet - Ms. Jackson is ya nasty (Alright) - two of the most influential entertainers of the modern era.

He traded verses with both Biggie and Tupac over a bubbly sample of Barry White’s ‘You’re The One I Need,’ on Grand Puba’s “Let’s Get It On,” and went on to performing the the theme song for In Living Color.

In the mid 90’s he became the President of Uptown Records. Then he caught the acting bug and went to collect countess credits for his contributions in both television and film.

Get up, party people, listen to this rap

‘Cause I’m about to go down and put my town on the map

MC Heavy D, delighted you’ll be learnin

About the place where I rest, Moneyearnin’ Mount Vernon

The year was 1985 when Heavy D walked into Rush Management without an appointment in hopes of walking out with a record deal. Russell Simmon wasn’t interested but he caught the attention of Andre Harrell. Shortly after Harrell left Def Jams, launched his own label and his first order of business was to sign Heavy D. He put both Mount Vernon and Uptown Records on the map.

Heavy D & the Boyz were the first group signed to Uptown Records, with Heavy D as the frontman and only rapper. Eddie F was his business partner in the group, DJ, and one of the producers. The other two members, T-Roy and G-Wiz were the dancers. Their debut, Living Large, was released in 1987. The album was a commercial success; his sophomore endeavor, Big Tyme was a breakthrough that included four hits. “Trouble T. Roy” died at age 22 in a fall on July 15, 1990, in Indianapolis. Dixon’s death led to a tribute on the follow-up platinum album, Peaceful Journey. Pete Rock & CL Smooth created a tribute to Trouble T. Roy called “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” which is regarded as a hip-hop classic by everyone’s standards.

Hev’s discography consist of five group albums; Living Large (1987), Big Tyme (1989), Peaceful Journey (1991), Blue Funk (1992) and Nuttin’ But Love (1994), followed by four solo albums; Waterbed Hev (1997), Heavy (1999), Vibes (2008) and Love Opus (2011).

As an actor, Heavy D is perhaps best known for his role in the 1999 drama film The Cider House Rules, where he plays a migrant worker. Along with his castmates, he received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for best cast in a motion picture. Filmography includes appearences in Who’s the Man? (1993), New Jersey Drive (1995),B*A*P*S (1997), The Deli (1997), The Cider House Rules (1999), Life (1999), Big Trouble (2002), Larceny (2004), Step Up (2006) and Tower Heist (2011)

As well as television appearences in A Different World, Tales from the Crypt, Boston Public (2001), The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990), Bones Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Law & Order: Special Victims Yes, Dear, Are We There Yet? (2011), In Living Color, Booker (1990) and recurring roles in Roc and Living Single.

Hundreds gathered at Heavy D & The Boys Park (formerly known as Lorraine Park) to celebrate the life and legacy of Mount Vernon’s favorite son Dwight “Heavy D” Myers, Saturday, May 21, 2016.

Andre Trenier, an emerging artist from the Bronx graced the walls with a mural in honor of local legend Heavy D and the Boyz. The mural was constructed in effort to remove graffiti and replace it with art to keep the community happy and beautified.

The park is located at Lorraine Avenue and Willard Avenue in Mount Vernon and at a event coordinated by The Myers Foundation, which was founded by Heavy D’s mother, the mural was the center of attention.

A few months later the Mount Vernon Public Library hosted a very special reception in honor of the Dwight Arrington Myers Hip-Hop Collection housed at the Mount Vernon Public Library on Thursday, June 30, 2016.

In honor of the hip-hop legend, the Mount Vernon Public Library has acquired a collection of books, music CD’s, DVD’s and multimedia materials that share the history of hip-hop and its global influence.

“Hip Hop has transformed itself from its beginnings in the South Bronx to a cultural phenomenon.’ says, then Library Director Carolyn Karowski told Black Westchester. “We are honored to celebrate and remember the accomplishments of Heavy D, an awarded artist, and actor who called Mount Vernon his home.”

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Heavy D, died in Los Angeles, November 8, 2011 at the young age of 44. I can still remember getting to call from Shawn Montgomery, I was living in Atlanta at time, it was almost surreal. Although I had been affected but other Hip-Hop deaths like Biggie and Tupac, this was a cat I went to high school with who was where I was from. Although I knew his brother Floyd better in high school, we had a few classes together, I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had just saw him on like a month earlier on the BET Awards and he looked good. After getting off the phone I turned on the TV and first saw the report of his death on TMZ and then everywhere else on the television of radio. Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills police told the Associated Press that Heavy D died in a Los Angeles hospital, after collapsing at his condominium building. Rosen said Beverly Hills police officers were dispatched to Heavy D’s condominium building Tuesday morning after receiving a report of an unconscious person laying on the walkway of a building. They found Heavy D was conscious and communicative but had difficulty breathing and was transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where he later died.

I leave you with Hev’s word from one of his last interviews he did before he passed in Complex Magazine in November 2011; “When you create history you don’t know you’re doing it. I don’t care if somebody says, ‘We’re gonna make history.’ Bullshit. You don’t know you’re doing it. You don’t know that till later on. Ask anybody—the most important people that you admire, the books you read—they didn’t know. They were just going on passion and what they want to do, and following that thing. Everyone here is here for a reason. If you’re good at what you do, or great at what you do, it’s cause you’re passionate. Not because you wanna be the President of the United States or of the company. If that is your goal it probably won’t happen. But if you have passion, it’s gonna lead you right where you need to be. Just follow that little voice and those goosebumps and everything that happens along with it. Just follow it. Cause that is where your destiny lies. That is where the truth is. All I’m trying to do is follow my truth.”

WILL GEORGE LATIMER ATTEMPT TO UNSEAT JAMAAL BOWMAN? WHO WILL BE THE LAST MAN STANDING?

In this corner...

Democrats were attempting of gerrymandering which led to newly drawn lines by a special master and the turnover of several Democratic which eventually led to the Dems losing the house. in 2024, local NY Dems will not only attempt to flip those seats but one other Dem may have a formable foe.

News 12’s Tara Rosenblum has learned and reported that Westchester County Executive George Latimer has reportedly been approached by Democratoc doners, Police Unions and Jewish Groups about primarying Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the 16th Congressional District, that spans part of the northern Bronx and half of Westchester County. The move to unseat the popular incumbent in the safely blue district raised immediate eyebrows among political observers. But if he chose to run, Latimer could give Bowman a serious challenge – especially as Bowman faces headwinds on the issue of Israel.

CE Latimer told News12 that he is “thinking about the advice I have been given and will have more to come.” He didn’t immediately respond to when Black Westchester asked him if he is in fact running or now, so the prospect of whether he would actually run remains murky. Latimer just won reelection to his second term as Westchester County executive in 2021, but will be term-limited out of office in 2025.

Latimer’s 2021 victory to serve a second term as County Executive was his 20th consecutive political win, which Black Westchester understand is a history-making moment in New York. He faced off against Republican Christine Sculti and took just under 60% of the vote.

Latimer previously served as a member of the New York State Senate for the 37th District from 2013 to 2017, served on the Rye city council, in the Westchester County legislature, and in the New York State Assembly. Latimer was elected as the Westchester County Executive in November 2017, defeating Incumbent Republican Rob Astorino. As of 2021, Latimer has never lost an election in three decades in public office.

Latimer first ran for public office in 1987; he won a seat on the Rye City Council, finishing first in a field of 6 major party candidates. Latimer was elevated in 1991 to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the first-ever Democrat to win the 7th District seat representing the City of Rye, Village of Larchmont, and Mamaroneck Town and Village. Latimer was re-elected in 1993, 1995, and 1997; in January 1998, Democrats won a majority of seats in the County Board for the first time in 90 years. Latimer was elected to chair the board, and was the first Democrat ever to do so. He was re-elected to his legislative seat in 1999, and served a second term as chairman from 2000 to 2001.

Latimer did not seek a third term as chair in 2002, having been re-elected to a sixth term in the Westchester County Legislature. Westchester County Democrats elected him County Democratic Party Chairman in September 2002, where he served one two-year term. After re-election to the County Legislature in 2003, Latimer sought and won a seat in the New York State Assembly in 2004. In the Assembly, Latimer represented the 91st District, which included the Sound Shore communities of New Rochelle, Rye Brook, and Port Chester alongside the communities of his County Legislative District. He defeated his Republican opponent Vincent Malfetano with over 68% of the vote, carrying each of the district’s seven cities, towns and villages. Latimer was re-elected to the Assembly seat without opposition in 2006, and scored 71% of the vote in his 2008 victory over Republican Rob Biagi. Latimer won a fourth Assembly term in 2010, defeating Conservative Republican Bill Reed with 67% of the vote.

Latimer who was born in Mount Vernon and enjoys the cities support could also put a dent in Bowman large democratic block on Mount Vernon. And Yonkers as well since Mayor Mike Spano is not a fan of Bowman. There has also been rumors, Latimer has his eye on the Governor seat, the only thing we know for sure is this is his last term as County Executive.

In early July Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s comments about the Police Shooting in New Rochelle of Jarrell Garris, calling the shooting “police brutality,” sparking outrage among Police organizations.

Rep. Bowman also recently announced that he would not be attending the address of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Congress. In a statement, Bowman writes, “My decision to not attend in no way stems from a lack of support for the existence of the State of Israel. On the contrary, it is out of concern that there is no sense of urgency about ensuring the safety and security of all Israelis and Palestinians in the region and finally achieving a two-state solution. This is also an informed decision out of engagement and deep listening to President Herzog, members of parliament, Israeli and Palestinian scholars, and community members in the region who experienced settler violence and dispossession. While President Herzog has stated settlements should be frozen and claims to opposes settler violence, he has remained silent as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has expanded settlements that are illegal under international law and has appointed Ministers that seek the anti-democratic annexation of the West Bank and the demise of any two state solution with the Palestinians.”

“While I appreciate and understand that the invitation to Herzog to speak to Congress over Netanyahu is a strong statement against Netanyahu’s extremist actions, Herzog on his own must answer key questions on how we will arrive to a two state solution, ending annexation, child detention, home demolition, settler violence and the killing of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. At this time, although Herzog is viewed as a centrist statesman, he has not yet shown the actions of pro-democracy and a pro-peace agenda. I strongly support a democratic Israel and a Palestinian state that are able to thrive with peace and security.”

Bowman’s comments drew some rebukes from many members of the Jewish community in Westchester, and combined with his comments against the Police, a number of wealthy donors, members of police organizations and Jewish groups, have begun to look for a candidate who might challenge Bowman in a democratic primary next year.

Despite Latimer’s strong undefeated record, it wouldn’t be wise to count Bowman who enjoys the support from several grassroot organizations in the county including the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC). Bowman has the support of many activists and advocated and has a strong ground game. He did unseat longtime Congressman Eliot Engel in 2020 to become the first African American to represent the district in the House of Representatives and managed to survive a heated race for re-election in 2022, fending off two Westchester County legislators - Vedat Gashi and Catherine Parker in the primary and Republican Dr. Miriam Flisserin the November General Election. In fact Black Westchester were among the endorsements Bowman recieved in his beid for re-election. BW has been told a letter writing campaign from Westchester progressive is in the works to urge Latimer not to challenge Bowman.

As far as the rebuke from the Jewish community, Bowman has never really enjoyed their support on his two victories. in 2022, two former members of Congress known for their support for Israel are backing a challenger to Jamaal Bowman. Both former Rep. Eliot Engel, who was ousted by Bowman in 2020 after 32 years in Congress and former Rep. Nita Lowey, the retired Jewish lawmaker who represented the northern suburbs and parts of Queens and the Bronx for 32 years, both endorsed Gashi, to no avail. Bowman did enjoy the endorsements of J Street’s PAC and the progressive Jewish group The Jewish Vote.

I wouldn’t be so quick to count out the bold and unapologetic congressman because he has proved he has staying power. Bowman beat Gashi by nearly 30 points.

Anyway you slice it, this will be a heavily watched election, both candidates are known to take a punch and a dominant counter puncher. As of right now this is all speculation since Latimer hasnt officially announced but it would be a great fight. In the potential match up, who will be the last man standing?

THE JOURNEY OF A GENIUS… DMX

BY PRISCILLA ECHI

The definition of a genius is a person who displays exceptional ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of new advances in a domain of knowledge. He is a scholar in many or a single subject and may be referred to as ahead of his time which leads to why they are often misunderstood. This.. is absolutely the definition of this particular individual who is clearly on the precipice of yet another exciting new chapter.

A genius to me is one who can walk through that hellfire mostly unscathed and come out without the smell of smoke. I come from this masterminds stomping grounds and fully understand the cloud that sits over the impoverished areas. I also am aware of the systematic poverty that fuels the inability to make it out. Liquor stores and caustic language greet you every couple of blocks. Making it home from jail was celebrated more than college homecomings.

When you can take the vicissitudes of that environment; the nothingness and create something, you are a genius. This particular artist… Colossal History-making Genius!!

An entire movement was created around him. He has created the Jerabaum of hood anthems that have gone down in hip hop history as the song that caused a paradigm shift in rap music.

He has proved to the masses, again and again, your circumstances can not define you. In fact, it should empower you. The only way it can impede upon your gifts is if YOU allow it to.

Even if your name stands for Dark Man. The name is a euphemism for what his talent has actually been able to achieve. His soul is in his artistry and the people.

In 1989, I was 14.. engulfed in everything HipHop I had met this artist through my Brother Cloud, him, my best friend and I immediately clicked and hung out a few times. He had a show coming up at school 12 in Yonkers and invited us to check it out. It was crowded, we made our way through the Carhartt, Timb, and Fila outfitted folk stopped close to the platform which he stood on. As soon as he grabbed the mic the crowd control was laser. He demolished it. Earl Simmons performed with a level of urgency and dynamism that I’d never had the honor of witnessing before.

At that moment I knew.. this guy is a genius and one day the entire world will know his name.

If you are a lover of Hip Hop you’ve belted his verses at ignorant levels while imitating his voice even if your mom was in the room! #DontLie

You saw that first music video in the legendary tunnel nightclub and said: “What in the Eukanuba and pit lover is this this…..!!!!!!!!” You wanted to leap clear out your chair through the screen and lose it with the crowd! #ThatIsHipHop #WhosWithMe

A fresh surge of excitement for HipHop. New York had given birth to yet another golden child.

Quiet sometime would pass before the world would indeed know his name. A few years before signing with the Ruff Ryders label, he was signed to Columbia/Ruffhouse in 1992. After releasing a single, “Born Loser” he was released from the contract and moved on. Still pressing forward, DMX made an appearance in ’95 on a hit single with Mic Geronimo, JayZ, and Ja-Rule called “Time to build”.

In ’97 alongside one of Hip Hops Legends LL Cool J also accompanied by Hip-hop greats Redman & Method Man and…. the controversial Canibus. DMX laId a killer verse dead smack in the middle of a legendary brewing battle. The hip-hop moment when LL swung the Excalibur letting Canibus and whoever else know don’t even come for him even if you’re sent!!

The universe was working its magic, DMX was being pushed into his purpose. As the stars aligned they added lighter fuel to that flame The LOX (Jada Kiss, Styles P, Sheik Louch) released a scorching hit “Money, Power, Respect.” Ft DMX and the incredible Queen B Lil Kim that catapulted up the charts and shook the entire Hip-Hop industry.

Who was this…?? The voice, the raw unfiltered lyrics, the flow, the authenticity, the image and the team that surrounded him… it was unprecedented.

1998 was an incredible year for not just DMX Def Jam who he had then signed to, but Hip Hop as a whole. In February Earl released his first single, “Get At Me Dog”. It exploded. Certified GOLD!

The world was now ready to digest the entirety of The Dark Man and this new wave. His first major-label album “It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot” released in May 1998 debuted at number 1 on the Billboard charts selling over 5 million copies worldwide! December 1998 DMX kept the fire burning with his second album “Flesh Of My Flesh Blood Of My Blood” also debuted and staying at number one for the first 3 weeks on the Billboard 200!

This genius made history becoming the first Hip Hop artist to release 2 number one album in the same year!

The industry was changing allowing artists to merge into acting. Earl just so happened to be a natural landing a role alongside Nas and T-Boz from TLC in this iconic hood classic “Belly”. His depiction of the character Tommy Bunz was executed flawlessly. Just like that, Earl Simmons had now become an international superstar.

In 1999, he raised the bar even higher. His third best selling masterpiece “…And Then There Was X” skyrocketing up the charts becoming his third album to debut at number one on Billboard 200 ultimately selling over 6 million albums! The song “What These B*tches Want” ft Cisco also signed to Def Jam was the silent assassin single that buzzed in every car that passed. Shortly after countless movie roles poured in. In 2000, DMX stared alongside Asian star Jet Li in what became breakout role in the American Film Industry in “Romeo Must Die”.

The roles got even bigger in 2001. He stared beside international superstar Steven Segal in “Exit Wounds” Permanently validating Earl as a Hollywood actor.

Of course, all this success did not come without the typical celebrity woes. You can’t have light without heat. Challenges he faced in his personal life did its best to propel the multi-platinum superstar off course. Instead, he focused his energy on the music and release of his 4th studio album in 2001 titled “The Great Depression”. It became his 4th studio album to debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200 with magnetic singles like “Who We Be” and “We Right Here”. Although certified triple platinum it wasn’t the sales the Hip Hop genius was used to.

DMX released a fifth studio album in 2003 titled “Grand Champ” . The God he’s often heard preaching about was definitely on his side. Once again his album debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200! Disputed the challenges he faced Earl become the first artist in history to release 5 consecutive studio albums to debut at number 1! Spiritually the number 5 stands for “Grace”. The grace that covers during weakness, trials, and tribulations. “Where The Hood At” was an ultrasonic clarion call of support for anyone who’s ever rocked with him as an artist. Especially after he then announced that this was the final masterpiece from the genius and he’d soon retire from Hip Hop.

In 2006, DMX signed with Columbia Records releasing album number 6 “Year Of The Dog… Again” debuted at number 2 only a couple hundred copies shy of hitting number one on Billboard 200. In 2008 Def Jam released 2 compilation albums, Greatest Hits “The Definition Of X” and ” The Best Of DMX”.

During this time Earl was searching for guidance and leaning strongly on his faith. In 2009 he decided he would pursue preaching spending most of his time studying scripture and following God call on his life. Still having a love for music, Earl vowed production was still on the table.

In 2011 DMX reemerged performing at the BET HipHop awards bearing good news for his diehard fans. Yet again he was working diligently on his 7th studio album titled “The Weight In” which became an EP he digitally released in May of 2012.

Later that year September 2012 Undisputed was released after signing an album deal with Seven Arts Ent. After Seven Arts illegally released Earls 8th studio album in 2015 called “Redemption Of The Beast” without contract or permission. Earl Simmons ended his deal with Seven Arts took legal action against the company.

In June of 2016 producer to the stars, Divine Bars produced the single “Blood Red” to rave reviews.

DMX has also stepped back into the lab with prodigious producer Swizz Beatz who I’ve been to the studio with DMX and heard what was nothing short of incredible. They released a song called “Bain is Back”. Swizz states Dr. Dre, as well as Kanye West, would both have their hands in the pot as collaborators on this next project.

Now, in 2019 while working on his 8th studio album you can believe it is nothing less than extraordinary.

Earl has managed to outlast any struggle he’s faced. I always remind him how proud I am of his contributions to this thing we love called Music. The quick whittled sapient punchlines and unmatched showmanship keeps his calendar full to this day with nonstop bookings. The genius from around the way who made something out of nothing, pure grit, fortitude, and endurance as his lyrics state isn’t going anywhere. The thing about geniuses you never know what they’ll come up with next and you can never EVER count them out!

Priscilla Echi has worked in the High End Costumer Service Management and Non Profit arena for over 15 years. She has also been around music & fashion for over 20 years. This experience has given her distinctive vision and deep appreciation for how communication through media and non-profit work when managed well, can improve the quality of life in our region, one program at a time.

WBWPC MT. VERNON CHAPTER CHAMPAGNE & FISH FRY

SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2023

TUCKAHOE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

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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%

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40-49 - 31.96%

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Employed, Working Full-Time- 46.24%

Employed, Working Part-Time - 5.45%

Self Employed - 15.05%

Unemployed

School - 8.33%

Completed Graduate School - 18.06%

POLITICAL AFFILIATION

Republican- 5.26%

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.

MALCOLM’S WORDS 59 YEARS AGO STILL RING TRUE TODAY

BY AJ WOODSON

…all of these inhuman atrocities have been inflicted upon us by the American governmental authorities, the police themselves, for no reason other than that we seek the recognition and respect granted other human beings in America. The American Government is either unable or unwilling to protect the lives and property of your 22 million African-American brothers and sisters. We stand defenseless, at the mercy of American racists who murder us at will for no reason other than we are black and of African descent… We have lived for over three hundred years in that American den of racist wolves in constant fear of losing life and limb. Recently, three students from Kenya were mistaken for American Negroes and were brutally beaten by the New York police. Shortly after that two diplomats from Uganda were also beaten by the New York City police, who mistook them for American Negroes.

If Africans are brutally beaten while only visiting in America, imagine the physical and psychological suffering received by your brothers and sisters who have lived there for over three hundred years. – Malcolm X speaking at Organization of African Unity meeting in Cairo, Egypt July 17, 1964

I remember reading an article in The Amsterdam News, I believe in the beginning of August 2014 about the 50th anniversary of a speech Malcolm X delivered in July 1964 and could not help but to think just how much his words still ring true today, with all the recent acts of police criminality and Public Executions. The killing of Black People at the hands of law enforcement is still as American as Apple Pie. I sat for a minute and jotted the following words;

Some of you may be reading this may be saying to yourself, we have come a long way baby, my president is black. Ok so we are not marching for the right to vote or to sit where we want on a public bus, but two months ago Mount Vernon residents, clergy and civil leaders marched for the city to maintain and restore a public park.

The police are not blasting us with water hoses and releasing their dogs to tear us apart with their teeth anymore. That’s been replaced with death by the chokehold (Eric Garner), and illegal killing of blacks in their homes by the police (Kenneth Chamberlain and Ramarley Graham). The shooting of unarmed black males like Mike Brown in Ferguson and Travon Martin, to name just a few. These are just some of the recent crimes our people have suffered at the hands of the police. Jim Crow has been replaced with the ‘broken windows policy’ and the notorious and unconstitutional stop and frisk campaign. The commonality in the two troubled times in the urban, low income communities are the blatant acts of police criminality committed upon us by the very police officers hired to protect and serve us. You ever find yourself wondering, who will protect us from police.

The very words spoken by our slain leader, Malcolm X; “We stand defenseless, at the mercy of American racists who murder us at will for no reason other than we are black and of African descent…” could not be more appropriate for ‘we the people who are darker than blue’ as brother Curtis Mayfield put it.

While I too wanted to write and celebrate the 50th anniversary of brother Malcolm’s speech, but I’m was left with the daunting task and talking about how we are still defenseless against those in blue who terrorize our community with no malice or fear of being punished, even when caught in video tape.

Back in the Rodney King incident, 20-plus-years-ago, those officers didn’t know their crimes were being caught on tape. In the Eric Garner incident, knowingly being recorded wasn’t enough to prevent the NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo from choking the life out of and killing another brother. So, tell me just how much has really changed since Malcolm uttered those words 59 years ago?

On July 17, 1964 Malcolm X, acting in his capacity as “observer”, distributed this memorandum to delegates of the Organization of African Unity meeting in Cairo, Egypt. A clear indication of his growing “internationalism”, it represents his most powerful formulation about the struggle being over “human rights” rather than “civil rights” also it represents Malcolm’s awareness of the fact that we needed an international voice. I believe if Malcolm had lived longer, we would have membership in the African Union today.

I share that portion of Brother Malcolm’s speech to show police brutality and the killing on Africans in American is not a new phenomenon. Our community have been dealing with this since we were first brought to this country against our will. As a people we are told to or expected to just get over it. Move on like it never happened. From slavery to Jim Crow we are told to forgive but have never seen anything in the form of an apology. There are those who would even acknowledge it ever happened like a repeating painful figment of our imagination.

You cannot treat a group of people a certain way and never expect them to get up and stand up for their rights. This book is meant to give those who have no concept of what we feel, what we’ve been through and why we feel the way we feel an inside look to our pain and frustration, which spills out into our protest or music and they way we see things today.

Dr. Martin Luther King gave a speech titled, The Other America four years later, March 10, 1968 in New York City. Fifty-two years later and especially with the current occupier of the White House, Donald Trump, we are still living in two Americas. My goal in this book is to give a glimpse into the Other America they do not teach you about in school. Until we learn each other’s history there will always disrespect for each other. In this book I hope to create that conversation with is essential to combat racism. But this book is also for us because many of us do not truly know our history. Many have fallen for the illusion of inclusion, that because they live in a good neighborhood and have a good job and their children go to good school racism does not exist. They two, even being African-American cannot comprehend the deadly consequences of being black until they get that wake-up call and it hits their front door. Until they are racial profiled in their nice neighborhood, where at the time the pedigree and degrees are not seen, only the color of their skin. Until then they too look

down at Black people from the hood through the same lenses as white people. No amount of money can spare you. Even actor Ving Rhames who had just started in the Mission Impossible movies had the police called on him by a neighbor while he was in his own backyard in July 2018. The officers did not see an actor, just another black man who did not belong in that neighborhood. Ving Rhames shared a racial profiling experience that falls in the category of “relaxing at home while black.” The 59-year-old actor was asked about dealing with racism during an interview with Sirius XM’s Clay Cane show on Friday (July 27) where he revealed that police held him at gunpoint after a neighbor called 911 to accuse him of breaking into his own home. Rhames said that the police encounter took place at his house in Santa Monica, Calif. sometime this year. The Mission: Impossible – Fallout star was kicking back in his boxers one afternoon when he heard commotion around the house.

Rhames assumed that the noise came from his puppies running around the backyard, until he heard a knock on the door. “I opened the door [and] it’s a red dot pointed on my face from a 9 mm,” he recalled of the cops storming the house. Throughout the ordeal, Rhames said that he remained compliant and kept his hands in the air. Luckily, one of the officers recognized him because their sons played sports against each other in school.

“My hands are up and they have me outside,” said Rhames. “It was a police officer with a 9 mm pointed at me, one officer behind him and two…to the left of me was the captain of police [department], and another officer with a police dog. I get out and [one of the officers] recognized me.”

After a little investigating, Rhames found out that his neighbor called 911 to report a “large black man” breaking into the house. Not surprisingly, the neighbor denied calling cops when confronted by Rhames and the officers. Recently we reported a story in Black Westchester where Grammy Award Winning recording artist Jeff Redd accused the Mount Vernon Police Department of racial profiling him while sitting in a car smoking a cigar and talking to his fiancée across the street from his house. It was the black officer who threatened to drag him out of his car through the window if he did not produce his drivers license in a timely matter.

Had Ving Rhames not been recognized by one of the officers, or he or Jeff Redd responded in frustration - as would have been understandable - either of them or both for that matter could have suffered the deadly consequences of being black. This is just a reality in the world we live in. This is something white folks do not truly understand because they do not have to deal with this. So, it’s understandable that they cannot comprehend the ramifications of being black in America.

But what about the everyday folks who are not Grammy Award winning singers or actors in blockbuster movies. One of the first stories I wrote for Black Westchester was about four African-American parole officers who were held at gunpoint for 45 minutes by white police officers in Ramapo, New York. They were wearing bulletproof vest with the words NYS Parole on them, with their badges hanging from chains around their neck, and they were treated like common criminals. Of course, none of the officers were disciplined or suspended so the four parole officers were hold a press conference to announce their lawsuit against the police department.

My partner Damon K. Jones who is the publisher and co-founded or Black Westchester and a correction officers with 30 years on the job who is the president of Black In law Enforcement of America spoke at the press conference. I videotaped the presser and then wrote an editorial basically asking the question, if four black parole officers in uniform are not safe what chance does an average brother like me have on the streets.

Black Westchester was born and we vowed to help change the narrative or how we are portrayed by the media.

Dr. King said in that speech in March of 1968; I want to deal with all of this by using as my subject tonight “The Other America.”

And I use this subject because there are literally two Americas. One America is flowing with the milk of prosperity and the honey of equality. That America is the habitat of millions of people who have food and material necessities for their bodies, culture and education for their minds, freedom and human dignity for their spirits. That America is made up of millions of young people who grow up in the sunlight of opportunity.

(continues on page 24)

ANGELA JOHNSON - UNFILTERED, UNVARNISHED, UN-BOSSED

BY AJ WOODSON

The First Lady of Purpose Music Group, songwriter, producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, Greenburgh’s Angela Johnson is the first Under The Radar Spotlight artists we think you should all know about. For 17 years she’s made it look easy: marriage, motherhood, music career, and managing the enviable feat of becoming one of the most consistently sought-after producers and songwriters in independent soul.

Something magical happens when a woman arrives and stops being afraid of the resonating fullness of her power and the potential impact of her voice. It can take a while for it to happen, decades even. But, when that internal click happens, that freeing moment in her life when she embraces the magnificence of her flawlessly flawed mind, body, and gifts, new levels of inner peace and creativity are achieved and it’s a thing of wonder to behold. No longer the girl next door or the superwoman who thought she had to be super to be extraordinary, here is Angela Johnson unfiltered, unvarnished and definitely un-bossed. The title of her sixth solo album, Naturally Me, says it all.

In the wake of the many senseless deaths of young African-American males nationwide at the hands of the police like Walter Scott, Freddie Gray, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Anthony Smith, Dario Tena, Eric Garner, Mike Brown, Akai Gurley, and unfortunately too many others to list them all here, Purpose Music Group’s Angela Johnson sang a ‘Black Boy Lullaby.’

Angela blessed us with her presence and sang her soul-stirring single Black Boy Lullaby - my favorite track - live in the studio on the People Before Politics Radio Show, Episode 37 in December 2016.

Whether at the hands of law enforcement or hands of other black males as Marvin Gaye so elegantly sang in 1971 ‘brother brother, there’s far too many of you dying,’ Black Boys are dying at an alarming rate. Angela’s soulful track is just what the black community needed, in these troubled time, an encouraging, inspiring, uplifting melody that pays tribute to our black boys.

Written, produced, arranged and sung by Angela, SoulBounce.com describes the ode to African-American young men from her CD, ‘Naturally Me’:

“Black Boy Lullaby” isn’t “your average, run-of-the-mill lullaby,” but it is a clarion call for Black boys to stand tall, be proud and to not live in fear. Sung from the point of view of a mother writing a letter to her unborn son, Johnson encourages this young king to never let anyone dull his light but to be aware that there are some out there who may harbor ill will toward him for no other reason than the color of his skin. Angela’s impassioned lyrics are punctuated by her soulful delivery, gospel style harmonies and a bluesy Hammond organ.

“I’m voicing my opinions about things that I think are wrong in the world today. I’m being more political, talking about what’s affecting my family and community. I’m putting myself out there, even though I’ve been afraid to. I wanted to talk about things that are relevant that many people aren’t talking about,” says Johnson.

MS. IRENE RENEE

Angela was ever shy when it came to music, a path she’s always taken seriously. Playing piano by age four, violin by nine, and rocking the church as an organist, choir director, and featured performer by adolescence, she went quickly from teenage Baptist phenom to the high school musical star of such local shows as Godspell. The eldest of four, Johnson’s family encouraged her formative years as an aspiring musician through college and beyond. Upon enrolling at the State University of New York at Purchase (SUNY) to further her study in violin, Johnson soon met her future Cooly’s Hot Box bandmates and writing partner, Christian Urich. Together the eclectic soul and acid jazz band landed an all-too-brief deal with Polygram Records, despite a trifecta of international dance hits (“We Don’t Have To Be Alone,” “What A Surprise,” and “Make Me Happy”).

Nonplussed, Johnson and the group inked a subsequent deal with Virgin Records in 2002 and released the band’s critically acclaimed debut, Take It. Leaning in before the concept gained currency, Johnson decided to express her independent artistic vision distinct from Cooly’s and simultaneously recorded her solo debut, They Don’t Know (Purpose),while also contributing to the songwriting and production of Take It. They Don’t Know and its radio hit “Ordinary Things” did what Johnson had done since being that big-voiced child behind the organ keys, distinguished herself as a woman apart.

While she may not be a household name to many, Anglea has anything to prove to anyone, she is the real deal and I encourage all reading this to check her out.

For more information ot to check out her music follow Angela Johnson on her website: www.angelajohnson.com.

EVE SOTO

The next sister we think you should all know about is the Sultry songstress Ms. Irene Renee.

Ms. Irene Renee has produced and released 5 music videos between her debut, Serendipitous Experience and her sophomore album: Feelin’ Good, Pick Up The Phone, Smooth Step, I Forgive U and NJNO (No Justice No Peace). Collectively these videos have garnered tens of thousands of views on various social media platforms. Pretty impressive for an independent artist. She continues to be sought out for performances and interviews around the world.

Detroit Born and raised and now Yonkers based, this Indie Music Super Star – singer/songwriter, dubbed the ‘Princess of Soul,’ Ms. Irene Renee has been compared to some of the greatest 20th century musical talents that we’ve come to love and cherish. With her classic soul voice, wrapped in a contemporary soul musical package, reminiscent of artists like Toni Braxton or Miki Howard. Jill Scott, Anita Baker, Erykah Badu, India Arie, and yes, Phyllis Hyman.

June 30, 2017 she released her highly anticipated sophomore album – Ubiquitous Soul and it has already stirred souls around the globe. In its first week it rose to number 6 on the U.K.’s Top 20 Soul Connoisseurs Chart. The music video for the single, I Forgive U has received over 161K Facebook views to date and counting.

For more information on Ms. Irene Renee, follow her on her website http://www. msirenerenee.com/

Another souful sister we think you should know about is, trained Soul, Pop, Gospel and R&B vocalist Eve Soto, a highly sought out vocal coach, performing & recording artist from Mount Vernon. She is known for her smooth and sultry style, and her timeless music, and her high energy shows at B.B. King Blues Club, The Cutting Room, and other venues in Westchester and New York City. Eve’s introduction to the music industry came from music moguls Heavy D, Dave Hall (Untouchables) and Sean Puffy Combs. Eve has worked in the music industry as a recording artist, vocal coach, recording engineer and song writer with Universal, Sony, Crave Records and many independent record labels and music production companies.

“I most recently was asked by Ruff Ryders a record label that started in Yonkers to be their music program director of a program that will take place in Yonkers in 2020,” Eve shared with Black Westchester. “I have already written and presented their music program curriculum and recently we did a video for BET which will be a documentary on the past and future of Ruff Ryders Eve is still performing, writing and helping artists at her Mount Vernon Performing Arts Studio where she gives private lessons group classes. She does Global Skype lessons for students in China, Canada, California, Ohio, Spain, Germany and the UK.

For more information for Eve Soto on her website http://evesoto.com/

THIS MONTH IN BLACK HISTORY

BY AJ WOODSON

We celebrate Black History Month in Febraury, but Black History is 365/24/7. Just because February came and went doesn’t mean we have to wait another year to celebrate Black history, we must remember to never stop celebrating the accomplisments and work of the Black community in our society. February should not be the only time we acknowledge all of the ways Black individuals in this country have left their mark. We must not ever let the energy die. We must keep fighting, keep learning, keep going, keep being an activist, keep supporting and buying from our Black-owned businesses and we must do your part in continuing to learn and teach others about Black history. We at Black Westchester challenge you to learn something new about Black history every day. Whether that means reading a book by a Black author, listening to music from an African-American artist you’ve never listened to before or just researching the achievements of African-Americans who came before us. With that in mind we share with you some events, dates and achievements that took place in the month of May as we celebrate This Month In Black History!!!

There is nothing so motivating as knowing that people who look like you achieved great things.

In July 1905 a group of Black activists and intellectuals met on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls to discuss the issue of civil liberties for African Americans. That meeting was the start of The Niagara Movement. The group had planned to meet on the New York side of the Falls, but were forced to change location after being denied accommodations. The organization, formed by W.E.B Du Bois and William Monroe Trotter, was made up of critics of Booker T. Washington, President of Tuskegee Institute. During this period, Washington was viewed by most as the authority figure on issues that concerned Black Americans. Washington’s view that Black Americans should help themselves, while being patient and accommodating, was denounced by members of the Niagara Movement, who demanded that blacks be granted the same rights and liberties as whites.

July 1, 1889 - Frederick Douglass named Minister to Haiti

July 1, 1960 - Ghana becomes a republic

July 1, 1982 - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five released the rap song, The Message.

July 2, 1777 - Vermont became the first American colony to abolish slavery.

July 2, 1872- Inventor E. McCoy received Patent No. 129,843 for the lubricator for steam engines.

July 2, 1908 - U.S. Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) was born

July 2, 1943 - Charles Hall becomes first African American fighter pilot to down enemy aircraft

July 2, 1964 - President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, preventing employment discrimination due to race, color, sex, religion or national origin. Title VII of the Act establishes the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to help prevent workplace discrimination.

July 3, 1950 - The Hazel Scott Show premiered on the DuMont Television Network making Trinidadian born Hazel Scott the first African American woman to have her own television show.

July 4, 1827 - New York State abolishes slavery

July 4, 1881 - Tuskegee Institute founded in a one room shanty, near Butler Chapel AME Zion Church, thirty adults represented the first class - Dr. Booker T. Washington the first teacher.

July 4, 1989 - ‘Fight the Power’ was released by Public Enemy, on the Motown Records label. It was created for the movie ‘Do the Right Thing’ by Spike Lee.

July 5, 1975 - Arthur Ashe defeats Jimmy Connors to win the men’s Wimbledon singles championship and becomes the first African American male to win the title.

July 6, 1957 - The first Black woman tennis champion wins Wimbledon. Althea Gibson win’s the women’s singles championship at Wimbledon..

July 9, 1955 - E. Frederic Morrow became the first African-American to serve in an executive position on a United States president’s cabinet in the White House joining President Eisenhower’s staff as Administrative Officer for Special Projects from 1955 to 1961.

July 10, 1893 - Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performs the world’s first open-heart surgery on a young man named James Cornish. James was rushed to Provident Hospital in Chicago with a stab wound.

July 10, 1927 - David Norman Dinkins born in Trenton, N.J. Dinkins became the first black mayor of New York City, serving from 1989 to 1993.

July 16, 1947 - Activist Assata Shakur is born

On July 5, 1852 Frederick Douglass gave a speech that is now known as the “What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July” speech. Douglass was asked to give a speech on July 4th during a commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. However he choose to give one on July 5th instead. When Douglass gave his speech he acknowledged the signers of the Declaration of Independence but he made it clear that there was too much work to be done before the 4th of July would be a day of celebration for Blacks.

...But such is not the state of the case. I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common.ÑThe rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day? If so, there is a parallel to your conduct. And let me warn you that it is dangerous to copy the example of a nation whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath of the Almighty, burying that nation in irrevocable ruin! I can to-day take up the plaintive lament of a peeled and woe-smitten people!...

July 17, 2014 - Eric Garner dies after being put in a chokehold by New York City police, following suspicion he was selling untaxed cigarettes in Staten Island. Video is captured with Garner saying “I can’t breathe,” which becomes a rally cry for criminal justice and police brutality reform. A grand jury chooses not to indict officer Daniel Pantaelo, but Garner’s family later settles a lawsuit against the city for $5.9 million.

July 18, 1918 - Nelson Mandela is born

July 20, 1967 - The first Black Power Conference held in Newark, New Jersey with over a thousand in attendance.

July 20, 1967 - First coast-to-coast black-owned and operated radio network: The National Black Network (NBN) begins operations.

July 21, 1864 - The New Orleans Tribune, the first Black newspaper to be published daily is launched

July 21, 1896 - Mary Church Terrell is elected president of the newly founded the National Association of Colored Women in Washington D.C..

July 26, 1948 - President Harry Truman issues Executive Order 9981 to end segregation in the Armed Services. .

July 28, 1866 - Section 3 of the Act of Congress authorized the formation of the two regiments of cavalry composed of “colored” men. These regiments would be later nicknamed as “Buffalo Soldiers.”

July 30, 2002 - WNBA player Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks became the first woman to dunk in a professional game.May 22, 1967, Langston Hughes died in NYC from complications after abdominal surgery, related to prostate cancer, at the age of 65

July 31, 1874 - Father Patrick Francis Healey, named President of Georgetown University and becoming the first African American to be named President of a Major US University. He was also the first African American to recieve a PhD.

History in school teaches us that Harriet Tubman freed the slaves and Martin Luther King Jr., had a dream every Febraury but skips over so many other African-American achievers. Confining our history to a 28-day period not only diminishes the significance of our contributions but also allows the greater truth to be erased.

The function of freedom is to free someone else

- Toni Morrison