Volume 5/ Issue 12 BW July/August 2022 Issue

Timur Davis Library Director

Board of Trustees

Vivien Salmon President

Judy Williams-Davis Vice President

Chanese Coleman Trustee

Oscar Davis Jr. Trustee

Hope Marable Trustee

Founded in 2014 by DAMON K. JONES AJ WOODSON

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Letters To The Editor

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WITH THE BLACK POINT OF VIEW

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

As Publisher of Black Westchester Magazine (BW), I would like to thank everyone for their support of our efforts to bring information to the people of Westchester County. As we embark on a new chapter for BW, we hope to continue to empower the reader on issues in their communities.

Independent media like BW has become more than a mere institution; instead, the independent media acts as a direct participant in the traditional three-branch system of governance.

What many fail to realize is that independent media serves a fundamental role in making democracies run efficiently, even though there are frequent clashes. Independent media system thus often “reflects the political philosophy in which Democracy indeed functions”. This being said, BW will not be disregarded as a trivial player in the responsibilities of being a check and balance system in the political process of the Black Communities of Westchester. BW’s purpose is not only to address the political process that affects the everyday lives of communities of colour in Westchester County. BW’s mission has also been to shine a light on the brilliant culture, morals, values and elegant lifestyle of Black people. It’s time to change the narrative on how Black people are portrayed in media.

As Publisher of BW, our doors are open to the public. From the publication, the website, our radio show and now the newspaper; our doors are open to the people. We do not do this for any grander position or status; we do it for the people.

A FEW WORDS FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Welcome to our July/ August 2022 Issue, We’re baaaack after a much- needed break!

Join me in wishing Black Westchester Publisher Damon K. Jones (July 27th, People Before Politics Radio Show co-hosts Tasha Young (July 27th) and Robert ‘Dr. Bob’ Baskerville (July 29th) a happy, healthy and blessed birthday. Also shout out to Tammy Cates whose birthday is Thursday, July 21st and Craig Worrell whose birthday is Friday, July 22nd.

I want to thank all who came out to my official book launch, of my new book Black Westchester - The Origin Story & How My Faith Was Instrumental In This Great Experiment on Thursday, July 21st at the Mount Vernon Public Library as part of the R.I.S.E.U.P.’s monthly Decypher Author Series. Also if you are available join me Saturday, August 20th for my book signing at the Greenburgh Public Library. Thank you to all who purchased my book. It is available on Amazon.

We are always looking for photographers, writers, editors and individuals to sell advertising and help with distribution. We are also looking for interns to help in all the aforementioned areas in addition to graphic artists and help running and maintaining the website. If you are interested please contact us at BWEditorInChief@ gmail.com

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

Peace and Blessings

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

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

LOCAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS CONDEMN SEAN PATRICK MALONEY FOR PRI ORITIZING POLITICAL GAINS OVER WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

like Senator Biaggi worked to pass the Build Public Renewables Act and a moratorium on the most harmful type of cryptocurrency mining in Albany, Maloney actively undermined the efforts of environmentalists in Congress.”

Also troubling is the way Congressman Maloney used his power and influence to try and intimidate Rockland ’s newly elected Congressman, Mondaire Jones. Jones, a Rockland native from Spring Valley, ran on a commitment to block the expansion. Jones’ office began circulating a letter to the New York delegation to build support for opposing the plant. Zach Fisch, Congressman Jones’ former Chief of Staff stated, “I got a call from someone on Maloney’s staff, saying, effectively, ‘bury this or else.’”

This pattern is not new. In 2014, Maloney was one of only 31 Congressional Democrats, who voted in favor of the Keystone XL Pipeline, a move he doubled down on the following year despite massive protests by Indigenous communities working to protect the health of groundwater and air quality in their region. The Keystone XL Pipeline, if completed, would have ferried some of the dirtiest fossil fuels through crucial water sources across four US states and Indigenous lands.

In the years 2013 – 2018, when the project was at its most viable, Maloney received $23,200 from the fossil fuel industry; including from TransCanada Energy, Keystone’s corporate backer. All told, he has received over $65,000 in fossil fuel dollars through 2021.

Maloney followed up his Keystone votes by voting to end restrictions on exports for the oil industry. He was the only New York State Representative to vote for this bill, which environmentalists argued would encourage more drilling and ultimately increase carbon emissions.

Local activists in Rockland County and the surrounding region are today condemning Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney for his record of prioritizing political gains over the lives of working class communities – especially communities of color. A new report in American Prospect today revealed Congressman Maloney’s track record of supporting dirty energy interests, and has deepened the concerns of environmentalists and other grassroots groups over the sincerity of his support for the Green New Deal, and his commitment to mitigating the climate crisis.

The Danskammer Plant, situated in the city of Newburgh, is already partially responsible for elevated rates of asthma in Newburgh’s Black and Latinx residents, even at its reduced capacity. The proposed $500 million dollar expansion, since defeated but supported by Congressman Maloney, was certain to decrease air quality further, and extend its polluting reach to downstream Rockland County.

“We reached out to Congressman Maloney over and over again to help stop the dirty Danskammer fracked gas power plant, and time and again he blew us off,” said Alex Beauchamp, Northeast Region Director at Food & Water Action. “True leaders on climate change recognize the obvious fact that we can’t afford to build more fossil fuel projects. One has to wonder why it’s so tough for Maloney to say no to fossil fuels.”

“Maloney has received $65,000 from fossil fuel PACs and industry leaders. It’s no wonder he’s never signed the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge. We need leaders in Congress who will fight for working people not their fossil fuel donors,” said Meredith Wisner, Chair of Rockland Working Families Party. “Senator Alessandra Biaggi, Maloney’s primary challenger, takes no corporate PAC money, and has signed the pledge in 2020 and again in 2022.”

“Maloney’s acceptance of dirty PAC money is antithetical to the progressive values of the WFP and voters here CD17,” said John Coddman, of Westchester-Putnam Working Families Party. “We deserve a true leader on the environment representing us and Senator Alessandra Biaggi will do just that!”

“At the federal level, Congressman Maloney has opposed substantial progress to battle the climate crisis, refusing to cosponsor the Green New Deal for Public Schools, the Green New Deal for Public Housing, the End Polluter Welfare Act, and the Keep It in the Ground Act, among other pieces of critical legislation,” said Tyler Hack of Sunrise Movement NYC. “As climate champions

“In nearly ten years in Congress, Rep. Maloney has not proven himself to be a bold fighter for climate justice,” said Taylor Mandelbaum, Steering Committee Member of Rockland United. “Maloney is not the climate leader Jones has proven himself to be. In his short time in office, Jones sponsored or co-sponsored the Fossil Free Finance Act, the Climate Justice Act, and the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act – none of which Maloney sponsored or co-sponsored. Will he urge the Biden administration to listen to Black, Brown, and Indigenous populations in the fight for climate justice, like Jones? We think not.”

Alessandra Biaggi is endorsed by Sunrise Movement NYC, and Rockland United among many other grassroots organizations. Food & Water Action is a D.C.- based organization focused on holding corporations and governments accountable for the health of our food and water supplies.

The New York Working Families Party announced its endorsement of NY State Senator Alessandra Biaggi for the Democratic Party primary in the redrawn NY-17 Congressional District, Monday, June 13th. The withdrew their previous endorsement of Maloney.

Sen. Biaggi faces Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Chair Sean Patrick Maloney in the Democratic primary. The New York Working Families Party had previously endorsed Sean Patrick Maloney in NY-18 in March. However, Maloney’s entry into NY-17, the district won by party-backed Rep. Mondaire Jones in 2020, caused major shifts in several districts, prompting Jones to now run in New York’s 10th congressional district.

“We’re proud to endorse Alessandra Biaggi in the 17th Congressional District. Since taking down the head of the Republican-aligned IDC, Alessandra has been a fierce fighter for working families and someone who is never afraid to stand up for what’s right. As a State Senator, she championed affordable housing, reforming our broken ethics system, and justice for sexual assault survivors,” said Sochie Nnaemeka, Director of the New York Working Families Party. “Alessandra would be a tremendous addition to New York’s Congressional delegation.”

“I am extremely grateful to have earned the Working Families Party’s endorsement. The Working Families Party stood by me in 2018 when we took on a corporate ‘Democrat’ who kept Republicans in control of the State Senate for decades,” Biaggi shared with Black Westchester

MAMARONECK VILLAGE COURT CLERK ACCUSED OF HARASSING THEIR LATINO NEIGHBORS

MAMARONECK The family of longtime Mamaroneck official has turned the American dream into a nightmare for her Hispanic neighbors, with an “unrelenting” six-year campaign of stalking, spitting, cursing and filming them, according to a lawsuit.

A lawsuit claims Louise Dunaway, 75, a 30-year village court clerk; her husband Douglas, 76; and son, Michael have been disrupting their Hispanic neighbors with have an “agenda” to drive their neighbors out of Staub Court, a dead-end private street, according to Manhattan Federal Court papers.

“I’m going to get my gun and kill your sp-c ass, and your wife and newborn child,” Michael Dunaway, 55, allegedly shouted in April 2018 at Staub Court, a dead-end private street, according to Manhattan Federal Court papers.

Michael Dunaway, who was arrested the week of July 16th for violating an order of protection by dumping human urine on his neighbor’s property, has physically accosted at least two residents of the block, according to police and the complaint filed by Jason and Ana Deleon and Walter Gehring and his Peruvian wife, Ariela.

The younger Dunaway spits on the Deleon and Gehring’s properties daily; throws dog poop, urine and garbage on his neighbors’ lots; shines neon lights in their windows; records them as they enter or leave their homes, and “constantly throws stones,” they charge in court papers.

He once laid down on the Deleon’s front steps to keep them from going inside; regularly blasts his radio and car alarm; and left broken glass hidden among leaves and other debris on the Gehring’s driveway, they allege in court papers.

The Dunaways “on a full-time, daily basis viciously terrorize” the Deleons and their 5-year-old daughter, who fears Michael will kill Ana, who grew up on the block, according to the litigation.

Because Michael’s mother, Louise, is well known at the courthouse both Mamaroneck Village Justices, Daniel Gallagher and Christie Derrico, recused themselves from presiding over the case and a Village Justice from Irvington traveled to Mamaroneck to preside.

Bail was set at $2500 and Dunaway was released under an order of protection to keep away from the victims.

Michael Dunaway’s next court date is scheduled for July 25th at Village Hall in Irvington, 85 Main Street. Police records also report that Michael Dunaway has physically accosted at least two residents of the block.

The lawsuit also alleges the defendants “have chanted “White Supremacy! White Supremacy!” outside the homes of Hispanic families on Staub Court, and subject Plaintiffs and their families, friends, tenants, and others who have come to visit them to a daily barrage of racial epithets and slurs.

The Dunaways filed many false complaints against the Deleons and the Gehrings, and frequently hug the Mamaroneck village police officers who respond to their calls, says said attorney Brian Cohen, who represents the Deleons and Gehrings.

The “daily barrage” of slurs from the Dunaways includes calling the Deleons, the Gehrings, their family, friends and tenants the N-word, or “w–backs,” “f–king sp-cs,” “damn foreigners,” the terrorized families claim.

The case will hopefully inspire others suffering from discrimination, said attorney Brian Cohen, who reps the Deleons and Gehrings.

“I believe their courage will help improve living conditions for all racial minorities and inspire other victims of bigotry in their neighborhoods to come forward and fight for the respect that they deserve,” Cohen said.

Louise Dunaway, passed away July 16, 2022, so it is assumed the lawsuit will attempt to seek damages from her estate.

“We need leaders in Congress who will fight for working people — not their fossil fuel donors”

YONKERS NATIVE GAVIN HESLOP SIGNS WITH THE NEW YORK GIANT S

BY AJ WOODSON

Heslop joined Seattle as an undrafted rookie in 2020 and spent almost that entire season on the team’s practice squad. He was elevated to the lineup for one game, but didn’t see the field.

The 6-foot Heslop made his NFL debut for the Seahawks last Nov. 21 vs. Arizona. He also played at Washington on Nov. 29 and at Houston on Dec. 12. During the Texans game he took the field for four defensive and 30 special teams snaps and had one special teams tackle before breaking both his fibula and tibia.

Heslop had to be carted off the field, but had successful surgery a few days after the injury.

At Stony Brook University, Heslop started 37 consecutive games and recorded 138 total tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss and a pair of fumble returns for touchdowns. He earned captain honors as a senior in 2019 and was also named third-team All-CAA Football after registering 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two blocked kicks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown.

Heslop was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, the same high school as his future college teammates including quarterback Tyquell Fields and cornerback TJ Morrison. Heslop was named to the NYSSWA First Team All-New York State, as well as the USA Today All-New York team. Heslop played a large role in Stepinac’s 2014 CHSFL AAA championship team, the school’s first since 1955, recording 60 tackles, three interceptions and three sacks a senior while rushing for 440 yards and six touchdowns. In 2014, Heslop also had a 68-yard interception returned for a touchdown to help Stepinac defeat rival St. Anthony’s High School for the first time since 1983.

Yonkers native and former Stony Brook University standout Gavin Heslop is now a New York Giant. The Giants added Heslop, the former Seattle Seahawk on Friday, July 22nd, terminating the contract of tackle Korey Cunningham with a non-football injury.

The 6-foot Heslop made his NFL debut for the Seahawks last Nov. 21 vs. Arizona. He also played at Washington on Nov. 29 and at Houston on Dec. 12. During the Texans game he took the field for four defensive and 30 special teams snaps and had one special teams tackle before breaking both his fibula and tibia.

Heslop had to be carted off the field, but had successful surgery a few days after the injury.

After suffering a gruesome leg injury that left him with a broken tibia and fibula in the closing minutes of the Seattle Seahawks’ 33-13 victory over the Houston Texans last season, the Yonkers native and former Stepinac star prayed for another opportunity to impress an NFL team.

“It was a freak accident, something that I thought would never happen to me,” Heslop said of the injury. “You see these kinds of things in movies, and it’s kind of unreal. I didn’t believe it happened to me. It settled in after I got surgery.”

That moment finally came on Friday, July 22nd, when the G-Men brought him in for a workout, then quickly turned around with a contract offer on the same day.

“I can’t even put it into words,” Heslop said. “All I can do is thank God because of what I’ve been through. After breaking my leg, I didn’t see myself being in this position that I’m in right now, so I’m extremely thankful for it.”

MASKS REQUIRED AGAIN AT ALL GREENBURGH BUILDINGS

Heslop redshirted during the 2015 season. During his freshman season in 2016, he played in eight games and recorded 13 total tackles. In his college debut on September 1 against No. 19 North Dakota, Heslop blocked a punt in the fourth quarter that was returned for a touchdown, giving Stony Brook the 13–9 victory. Heslop also recorded six tackles in a 42–14 upset of No. 2 Richmond. In his 2017 sophomore season, Heslop started all 13 games at cornerback. He set career highs with 72 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss. Heslop recorded his first career sack and forced fumble on October 14 against No. 12 New Hampshire. Heslop recorded a career-high 12 tackles in a 59–29 victory over Lehigh in the first round of the 2017 FCS Playoffs. The following week against James Madison in the second round, Heslop recorded another 10 tackles in a 26–7 loss.

Heslop again started all 12 games at cornerback as a junior in 2018. He was named to the Second Team All-CAA after a season with 59 tackles, 38 of which being solo tackles. On September 22 against Richmond, Heslop recovered a fumble and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown. It was Heslop’s first career touchdown and Stony Brook’s first fumble recovery for a touchdown since 2016.

Prior to his senior season, Heslop was named one of three Stony Brook team captains.[12] Heslop started all 12 games in 2019, ending his Stony Brook career having started 37 consecutive games. He was named to the Third Team All-CAA with 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two blocked kicks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

COURT DISMISSES STUDENT’S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE URSULINE SCHOOL

The Greenburgh Town Board has decided to require masks inside all town owned buildings while Covid-19 cases continue to rise. At the Town Board meeting on July 13th at 7:30 PM everyone who attended was required to wear a mask.

“We know that most people hate masks,” Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner shared with Black Westchester. “Some employees and residents have compromised immune systems. If they get Covid-19 it could be very dangerous- possibly fatal. We want to keep everyone who works in a Greenburgh building and visitors to Town Hall safe. When the numbers go down we will go back to the policy of making masks optional.”

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. A state Supreme Court justice has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former Ursuline School student who was expelled for violating the school’s prohibition against violence.

Justice David Zuckerman ruled that the 15-year-old student’s claims that the Ursuline School breached its contract with the student and treated the student unfairly did not have merit. Zuckerman cited specific passages in the school’s Code of Conduct noting that violence or the threat of violence on or off campus are grounds for a range of disciplinary action—including expulsion. “Ursuline has the right to expel a student who engages in violence off campus even when the incident is not at a school-related event/activity,” wrote Zuckerman in his decision.

The expulsion stemmed from a fight at The Westchester, a mall in White Plains, during the 2020-2021 school year in which the expelled Ursuline student was involved in a physical altercation with another female teenager who was not an Ursuline student. School officials only became aware of the altercation late last year after learning of the existence of a video documenting the attack. “Our Student/Parent Handbook makes it clear that any use of force or violence even off campus is a serious disciplinary infraction and will not be tolerated,” said Ursuline President Colleen Melnyk. “We wish to emphasize that we do not take expulsion lightly. After review of the specific circumstances, acting in the best interests of our students, the administration had no choice but to take this action. We are grateful that the court has upheld our actions in this matter.”

NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK BY JAMES A. JOHNSON

DEDICATED TO BARBARA BURTS MARTIN WHO PROVIDED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MANY IMPORTANT AND PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE.

In 1688 the Huguenots from the city of La Rochelle in France fleeing from religious persecution settled in the area that influenced the choice of the name New Rochelle. During the 1930’s New Rochelle was the wealthiest city per capita in New York State and the third wealthiest in the United States. In 2020 it had a population of 79,726 making it the 7th largest city in the State of New York. The demographics are approximately 60 % White, 19 % Black, 17 % Hispanic and 4 % Asian.

The Mayor is Noam Bramson since 2006 and has been reelected three times by landslide margins. He was educated like this writer in The Cradle of Intellectual America and is married with 2 children. The word on the street is that Mayor Bramson has consistently proven himself as a progressive and visionary leader with the interest of his citizenry first and foremost. One of the city council members is Yadira Ramos-Herbert of District 3 who is a lawyer and Assistant Dean of Students at Columbia Law School.

New Rochelle High School

New Rochelle High School is the city’s only public high school located at 265 Clove Rd with grades 9-12 and approximately 3,260 students. The principal is Dr. Dagoberto Artiles and the Athletic Director is Steve Young. The Huguenots captured state football championships in 2003, 2012, 2019 and runner-up in other years. The following are a short list of players instrumental in establishing the Huguenots as a powerhouse:

Fred Campbell, Ph D – Data Scientist, Rice Univ., Stanford UnivLinebacker- All-State

George Starke -Washington Redskins- 1983 Super Bowl Champion

Ray Rice – Rutgers Univ.- Baltimore Ravens -2012 Super Bowl Champion

Courtney Greene – Rutgers Univ. – Jacksonville Jaguars

Jordan Lucas – Penn State – Kansas City Chiefs - 2020 Super Bowl Champion - Keep in mind that football is a team sport and because of space constraints many outstanding players are not listed.

*Get this: Fred Campbell listed above along with eight others were the First All-Black Team to Summit Mount Everest on May 12, 2022.

Rasaun “Crabby” Young is the Boys Varsity Basketball Coach. He is a legendary New Rochelle basketball player and a dedicated professional in giving back to the community that nurtured him. In his own words:

“Make no mistake; given the opportunity, I will, as Varsity Head Coach, lead the program to many, many wins, on the basketball court. But, I will also do everything humanly possible to ensure that the young people who enter and leave our program will make our program, our school and our community proud.”

Rasaun “Crabby” Young also serves as the Director of the basketball program at Camp Shape Academy. Camp Shape is a community sports camp run in collaboration with the New Rochelle School District and Backyard Sports https://byardsportscares.org/ campshape/ https://www.byardsports.com/community-outreach.html

The Director of Camp Shape is Danny Bernstein who works in tandem with Coach Young offering a comprehensive sports experience including expert instruction, outstanding staff of coaching mentors and a diverse social experience. No child is denied an opportunity to participate due to financial challenges. Coach Young offers coaching positions to members of his varsity basketball team an opportunity to serve as mentors to the next generation of New Rochelle basketball.

The following are a few notable New Rochelle basketball players:

Rasaun “Crabby” Young- U. of Buffalo, Hall of Fame, Avg 32 ppg. in high school

Alex Tuci – 2018 - Manhattanville

Kes Adjekughele - 2018 - Manhattanville

Sean Avery- 2019 - SUNNY -Geneseo

Rameek Boyd -2014 -Johnson & Wales

Eric Watson – 2014 - Newbury College

Jamaal Gill – 2013 - Boston Univ

Nick Delfico -2003 - Fairfield Univ

Kent Washington - 1973 Stony Brook Southhampton

Seth Hicks -1960 - Seton Hall Univ

Jesse Arnelle -1955 - Penn State

Drew Days, III – US Solicitor General - Yale Law School

Rashiem Young – Basketball (Capt) - Buffalo State College

Jamaal Bowman- Congressman (NY-1^) that includes New Rochelle

The New Rochelle Basketball Association (NRBA) is a non-profit organization founded by Attorneys Pat Vaccaro and Andy Peterson of the Jackson Lewis law firm. Its motto is “Helping Kids Succeed” through organized basketball. Pat Vaccaro can be reached for information and donations by Email pvaccaro261@gmail.com

My connection to New Rochelle is a residence on The Court. It was a very quiet and upscale neighborhood. Back in the day, during the summers I had a spacious room all to myself on the top floor.

If any reader remembers a tall handsome young man jogging in this area it was this writer. Today, I am a basketball cognoscente, trial lawyer and social activist who authored the posting of All Lives Matter: Black, White and Blue at https://blackwestchester.com/alllives-matter/ and Mount Vernon, New York https://blackwestchester. com/mount-vernon-ny/ in the Black Westchester Magazine. The editor, AJ Woodson has written an outstanding book: Black Westchester – The Original Story. It can be purchased on Amazon or directly at MrAJWoodson@gmail.com

Kent Washington

Did you know that Kent Washington, a 1973 starting guard and star at New Rochelle High School was the first American to play professional basketball behind the Iron Curtain in Poland from 1979- 83. In high school he was All-Conference and All-Westchester County. An alum of Southhampton College, now Stony Brook Southhampton he scored 1,082 career points. Kent was inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. Standing only 5’ 8” tells you he must have been quite a player and person. Kent’s book, Kentomania, A Black Basketball Virtuoso in Communist Poland can be purchased on Amazon. It sets out his experiences and is inspirational.

Since the past is a window to the future many notable people are from New Rochelle or have a strong connection, such as:

Lee Archer, Jr – Tuskegee Airman, Lt Colonel, buried in Arlington National Cemetery

Richard Roundtree -Actor (Shaft), Ebony Model & Football player at Southern Illinois Univ.

Ray Rice – NFL Running Back

Seth Hicks - Basketball & Track, Seton Hall, Coach at Fordham & Weequahic HS

Gloria Borger – Chief Political Journalist at CNN

Louis Rukeyser - financial guru & journalist

Andrea Mitchell - TV journalist

Barbara Burts Martin – Homemaker & Social Worker

Kent Washington- Professional Basketball player

Iona College

For those of you seeking a college education you do not have to look very far. Iona College is located at 725 North Ave in New Rochelle. It has a very good academic and athletic reputation. Hall of Fame

Coach, Rick Pitino heads the basketball team with very capable assistant coaches: Ricky Johns, Tom Abatemarco and Taliek Brown. Jason Martinez recently joined the Strength & Conditioning staff. The Gaels posted a 25-8 record in 2021-22 season. The 2022-23 basketball season tickets are on sale right now. The following are former NBA players from Iona College: Richie Guerin, Jeff Ruland, Steve Burtt, Sean Green, Scott Machado and Bob Santini. I believe with Rick Pitino and staff more players with have the opportunity.

Jamaal Bowman

Congressman Jamaal Bowman represents New York’s 16th District which includes the northern Bronx, Yonkers, New Rochelle and Mount Vernon. He holds a doctorate in education from Manhattanville College. Bowman is a transformative progressive legislator with policies that will improve the lives all people. He is dedicated to economic and racial justice and the importance of investing in communities of color. To learn more about Congressman Bowman he can be reached at https://bowman.house.gov/

About the Author

James A. Johnson is an accomplished trial lawyer, basketball cognoscente, historian and social activist. He is an active member of the Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas and Federal Court Bars. Jim concentrates on serious Personal Injury, Sports and Entertainment Law, Insurance Coverage and Federal Criminal Defense. He can be reached at www.JamesAJohnsonEsq.com

TD JAKES GETS PUSH BACK FOR ADDRESSING TODAY’S IM BALANCE OF MASCULINE AND FEMININE NATURES

BY DAMON K. JONES

BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF MASCULINITY, WE ARE RAISING OUR DAUGHTERS TO BE MEN

There has been a recent push back to Paster T.D. Jakes, Bishop of The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, who delivered a Father’s Day message titled “Real Men Pour In.”

A sound bite of the lecture has taken life on social media where Jakes says that many societal woes can be attributed to the fact that “we are raising up women to be men.”

I watched TD Jakes’s Fathers Day lecture, and as a Black man, he put many things in perspective Biblically that I have previously written about. To have proper relationships and Black Love, we need the Black man to be in his Divine Masculine and for the Black woman to be in her Divine Feminity.

Many women spoke out against the quote without proper understanding of the lecture and knowledge of the Bible. I have asked many of them personally, who openly disagreed, whether they heard the entire lecture, and many admitted that they didn’t but didn’t see any need to watch it, so I

declined to have further discussion on the issue.

Are we at the point in our society that Black men must be silenced when speaking openly about the divine spiritual duality between Black Men and women? It is easy to cancel a person, but you cannot cancel the universe’s natural order.

Jake’s Father’s Day lecture was not about women but about men needing to see their value in this world and be the men needed for their family and community.

“Real men are not a deficit,” Jakes said at the beginning of his message. “Real men are an asset. They pour in.”

If you say you’re a Christian, you say you’re spiritual. Suppose you also say you believe in the Bible. In that case, we will agree and submit that the role of men and women is distorted in today’s society according to your religion, your spirituality, and your holy book. T.D. Jakes argued that sin entered the world because Adam broke “the divine order” of creation by allowing Eve to lead him. “If Adam had not allowed Eve to pour into him, sin would have never come into the world. Sin came into the world because Adam broke the order,” Jakes said. “We were not designed to receive from women.”

“Your self-esteem is compromised when you have to ask your wife for lunch money,” Jakes continued. “I’m not saying you gotta be rich. I’m not saying that you gotta be famous. I’m saying that you have got to be the one who pours in, not the one who takes out. When Adam started eating out of his wife’s hand, sin came in, because the divine order was broken.”

“Women, be careful about pouring too much into us,” Jakes warned. “We are designed to pour into you. And you are designed to take what we pour into you and increase it and make it better. You increase it, you appreciate it, and you multiply it.”

In my book, The 53 Building Blocks to be a Divine Black Masculine, I talk about the Abnormal behavior that has taken over what we call a Black culture. As Black men, we have forgotten divine instincts to protect our women, children, family, and elderly. Therefore, toxic masculine individuals can take advantage of the situations within our community through crime, violence, and abuse of women.

“This breaks all sociological orders of the culture that we’re living in now, because we are raising up women to be men,” Jakes said.

Toxic Black Masculinity has become the norm because more Black women look to the toxic or the “Bad Boy” instead of the Divine.

Biologically speaking, women look to men for support, and individuals who display toxic masculine traits do not set an excellent example for other men or women.

When an unjust society destroys the masculine and feminine duality by substituting Black Culture with ignorance and toxicity, we look to external authority figures to provide the resources.

The result is what we see now, an over-reliance on the government. Individualism is prioritized over a sense of the Divine Black family or the Black community. Our society and culture have further removed from nature and are bombarded through media and music in the form of toxic masculinity and feminity, not divinity. Then there is an unhealthy balance of Masculine and feminine relationships.

In his speech, T.D. Jakes addresses our current societal imbalance; T.D. Jakes said, “And you are not applauded for your femininity. You are applauded in the contemporary society by how tough, rough, nasty, mean, aggressive, hateful, possessive you are. And you are climbing the corporate ladder, but we are losing our families.”

“I know you can buy your own car. I know you can buy your own house. But until you create a need that I can pour into, I have no place in your life. So stop coming home bragging to me about how much you don’t need me and wonder why I shy away,” T.D. Jakes said. “The conversation has become, ‘Let’s prove to the men how dispensable they are.’ And it is borne out of pain, because we hurt you, and betrayed you, and lied to you, and cheated on you. And you became like you became out of pain.”

“That which is borne out of pain is the way you cope with disorder,” T.D. Jakes argued. “Insist for better out of me rather than replacing me.”

I often hear how women say there are no good men out there. Why would any woman have an issue with what T.D. Jakes said? The need for the

man to think healthy spiritually and physically is a vital aspect of a family: As we look at the current unhealthy state of our communities, we have to wonder what was the relationships of these children with their parents. But to have that man in his masculinity, women also need to be in their femininity.

Bishop Jakes argued that even apart from the Genesis account, Christians can understand from an anatomical perspective that men were created to “pour in.”

“Life begins when men pour in. We were designed to pour in…As it is in the physical, so it is in the spiritual. [Men] are not indifferent. They’re not deaf. They’re not tone deaf. They’re not emotionally detached,” Jakes said. “Pouring in is not just about money. You’re not just a father because you sent a check.” Jakes then said that children who aren’t poured into by their fathers are “damaged.”

A young girl or boy’s relationship with her father is a blessing of God. A father’s role in his daughter’s life significantly influences her relationship with men when she becomes an adult. The father is the first example to a child of what it means to be in a romantic relationship, communication, conflict resolution, support, and love.

From the birth of a son, the father plays an essential role in molding his life. He becomes his friend, guide, teacher, and best companion throughout his son’s childhood. He constantly shares valuable lessons with his son and guides him in the right direction.

When we pour love into our Children, they strive to make their fathers proud, and an involved father promotes inner growth and strength. Studies have shown that when fathers are affectionate and supportive, it dramatically affects a child’s cognitive and social development. It also instills an overall sense of well-being and self-confidence.

T.D. Jakes also spoke from a woman’s perspective towards men, “While we appreciate the check and your anatomical flow until we get your emotional flow, there will always be a deficit.”

As men, we must understand that there are things we must give up on to meet our spouse’s and family’s needs. The sacrifices you will make for your family are minimal compared to the reward of living in a happy home. Hobbies or interests are still important but not as crucial as your responsibilities to your mate and children.

Black men are more religious than white men but tend to be more spiritual than white women. According to a report by the Pew Research Center, Black women tend to be more religious than Black men – Black men are still a highly religious group. The report also states that Black men are more religious than Hispanic men and at least as religious as Hispanic women on several key indicators of religious observance.

Approximately seven in ten (69%) Black men say religion is essential to them, compared with 80% of Black women. But Black men place more importance on religion than white women (55%) and Hispanic women (65%).

Black people attend more church, but statistics show a steady decline in the Black family structure in America. The share among Black children who live with married parents is markedly lower—36% of Black children live with married parents. Compared to Asian children (85%) today who live with two married parents, as is the case for most white children (74%) and Hispanic children (61%). The Black family has become an endangered species, and nobody gives a damn.

T.D. Jakes continued to speak on the broken consciousness of men and women that we can sometimes be better fathers than husbands and women can sometimes be better mothers than wives.

Before condemning trying to cancel, to which I don’t think T.D. Jakes cares. We live in a time when some will push back even on clergy if they publicly disagree with our current toxic social constructs, which has an adverse effect on Black family life and survival. I am not a member of his church, but Some truths need to be talked about without the threat of being canceled by this perverted cancel culture.

White Western Society’s social conditioning has created unhealthy Black Masculine and Feminine energy to the point that Black men and Black women are toxic towards each other. It’s crucial for the survival of the Black community– men and women – to tap into our duality, be open to the dialog of our brokenness, and the path to healing and preserving the Black family.

WOMEN WHO DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2022 - THEODORE YOUNG COMMUNITY CENTER, GREENBURGH

PHOTOS BY KEVIN MCGILL

REP. JAMAAL BOWMAN THROWS CAMPAIGN PARTY TO CELEBRATE OPENING OF HEADQUARTERS IN MT. VERNON

BY OLIVIA BARRIOS-JOHNSON

“When you’re trying to phonebank alone in your room is so different from phone banking in a whole office where everyone is sharing the same ideas and really excited about the candidate,” he said.

“When Congressman Bowman is there, the energy that he brings to the room is unmatched with anyone you’ll ever meet,” Barotz said. “Anytime you speak with him, he always gives encouraging words, he always gives you something memorable that you’re going to take with you.”

Echoing this same sentiment is David Smalls, 20, who is currently participating in a fellowship called Bowman for Congress Summer Organizing Fellowships. He was able to secure this positon by what he calls “shooting his shot” and sending a direct message to Bowman asking about an opportunity to help with his campaign.

Not only was Smalls glad at how quickly and receptive Bowman connected him with this program, but also by his down to earth demeanor and ability to genuinely connect with his community.

“Growing up I’ve always thought of people in Congress, people in the government, I thought they were untouchable, unreachable,” Smalls said. “But I’ve seen with Representative Bowman…he is literally a part of the community…and places people as a first priority…he makes you feel like you’re his family.”

At the event, Bowman greeted constituents with music, food and yard signs that read “Jamaal Bowman NY16 Democrat for Congress Vote August 23,” signifying the upcoming Democratic party primary on August 23 that will determine which Democratic candidate will run in the district’s general election on November 8th according to Ballotpedia.org. New York’s 16th District consists of the northern Bronx and sections of Westchester County including Mount Vernon, Yonkers, and New Rochelle. Rep. Bowman is running for re-election to continue representing this district. “I’m so grateful for all the support we’ve gotten over the years. When we ran for office in 2019 no one had a shot, but we won a historic victory because we built a diverse coalition if amazing people, smart people, people who really care about the community and care about this country” Bowman said. “It’s a real blessing to be able to continue to do this work, continue to engage the community.”

Bowman currently sits on the House Committee on Education and Labor and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology in the 117th Congress. During this term in 2021, he also unveiled the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act which would aim to upgrade public school buildings to combat climate change.

Among the attendees included other local government officials and supporters like Anushka Kumar. Kumar, 17, is the CEO and founder of an organization called, The Promise We Share. As a constituent from Scarsdale, she was excited to attend Bowman’s event because of his assistance and collaboration to uphold the mission of The Promise We Share, “to lift high risk families out of the poverty cycle through nutrition, education and community health services.”

“Congressman Bowman has helped me take my work to the next level,” Kumar said. “He is so keen on connecting the nonprofit circle and the advocacy happening in his community.”

Kumar also works on Congressman Bowman’s campaign by phone banking. She calls constituents to inform them about the candidates running, how to register to vote, and tells them about Bowman’s efforts and work within the community.

“Young people can expect to have a seat at the table,” Bowman said. “The young minds of the country are the ones that are going to rebuild the country and give us the vision and hold us accountable for what needs to be done.”

In a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that provided the constitutional right to an abortion on June 24. Bowman has expressed that he will continue to advocate for abortion rights and reproductive rights.

“I think it’s good that Congressman Bowman is continuing this fight,” said Matthew Barotz, 17, high school student within the district. “This is a time that we need to take action right now, so his stance on continuing to fight for abortion nationally is really important.”

Additionally, Barotz is excited for the new campaign office space to once again collaborate and work with other Bowman supporters in person, given the limited interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic these past two years.

Looking ahead to the upcoming primary election, residents like Tasha Young, from Greenburg, are looking forward to seeing how Bowman will continue to impact the district as she believes he is “inclusive of everyone and is productive.”

Young also believes that “pain points,” or issues that people feel directly impacted by, should be steppingstone for individuals to get involved in local politics. That way they can research and vote for representatives that they feel aligns with their beliefs.

About the author: Olivia Barrios-Johnson is a current intern and staff writer for the Black Westchester Magazine. She is a student at Quinnipiac University majoring in Journalism and is set to graduate in the Spring of 2023. She hopes to become an on air journalist in the future and write for print. Olivia is also passionate about musical theater, singing and taking care of her dog Rocky! Olivia has produced content for the Quinnipiac YouTube channel and was the previous podcast co-host of “Chronversations” at Quinnipiac University.

U.S. Representative Jamaal Bowman hosted a campaign office opening party to celebrate the new space which will serve as a hub for campaigning efforts to take place and supporters to gather. The event took place on Friday, July 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the office is located at 550 Gramatan Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10552.

MARY J. BLIGE RECEIVES 2022 BILLBOARD ICON AWARD

BY AJ WOODSON

The R&B legend and 10-time BBMA winner is the 11th artist and seventh woman to receive the accolade.

Mary J. Blige received the Icon Award at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 15th. From around the way girl from Yonkers Schlobohm Housing Projects to the undisputed Queen of Hip-Hop Soul to an inspiration for generations, Billboard Magazine honors MJB with the Icon Awards. In Yonkers and Westchester County she has always been an icon. She has been the voice of the hood, soundtrack for generations of sistahs going through it and has created a body of work that surpasses time.

To receive the award and be introduced by another undisputed Icon, Janet, ‘Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty,’ only makes even more official. “You were always one of our biggest inspirations growing up,” Blige told her.

Yes, Janet Jackson made a surprise and rare TV appearance at the Billboard Music Awards 2022 Sunday night to present Mary J. Blige with the Icon Award. The “Velvet Rope” singer, who is one of the world’s best-selling music artists, won the award in 2001, introduced Blige after she received her own standing ovation with a speech that referenced many of her biggest hits, including “Just Fine” and “No More Drama.”

“Her work has always given us comfort because she sings me, she sings you. I reminisce, but I’m not going to cry because even though sometime sit feels like every day it rains, I’ve got no more drama,” Jackson, 56, said. “I’m just fine with my life, my life, my life, my life in the sunshine.”

Mary took the stage to deliver an emotional speech in which she held back tears while thanking her family and celebrity pals and including BBMA host Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the late Andre Harrell, Jeff Redd as well as Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine for selecting her to perform at the Super Bowl Half-Time Show.

Blige explained what it truly means to be an icon and the journey to “achieve greatness.”

“The way the world is now, I think people think icons are born that way, that they become a legend overnight,” Blige began. “But that is definitely not the case. It takes a lot of time, hard work, and a lot of surviving trial and error to achieve greatness. Being an icon to me means is overcoming obstacles to accomplish the unthinkable and be widely admired for having influence over a multitude of people and that is what I always represented,” she continued. “I’ve been on this journey for a long time, one that didn’t always look the way you see me now, one that is filled with a lot of heartache and pain, but God helped me to channel those experiences and emotions in my music which is where I started in music.” “I’m so grateful to have you,” the 10-time BBMA winner said to her “phenomenal, diehard, unbelievable fans.” at the conclusion of her speech.

The R&B legend is the 11th artist and seventh woman to receive the honor, which recognizes artists who have achieved excellence on the Billboard charts and have made an indelible mark on music. Previous Icon Award recipients include Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Cher, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks and Pink.

According to Billboard, Blige has accumulated four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 (Share My World, Love & Life, The Breakthrough and Growing Pains) and a No. 1 single (“Family Affair”) on the Billboard Hot 100.

MTA CELEBRATE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.’S 50TH BIRTHDAY WITH LIMITED EDITION METROCARDS

The MTA issued 50,000 of the commemorative cards on Saturday, May 21, at 4 select Brooklyn stations

Fans and Brooklynites can celebrate what would have been Notorious B.I.G.’s 50th birthday in a special way: with commemorative MetroCards.

On Saturday, May 21, the MTA will offer 50,000 of the limited edition cards honoring the iconic Brooklyn rapper Christopher Wallace, known to the masses as Notorious B.I.G.

The limited edition MetroCards will feature a portrait of Wallace, also known colloquially as Biggie Smalls, on the reverse side. They will be available starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday on a first come, first serve basis.

The cards will only be available at MTA vending machines at the following stations in Central Brooklyn:

Lafayette Avenue “C” Station;

Clinton-Washington Avenues “C” and “G” stations;

Atlantic Ave - Barclays Center Station

Wallace grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant before releasing two Grammy-nominated studio records. His success was cut short by his shocking and tragic death at the age of 24.

Not only was Notorious B.I.G. a popular rap artist in the 1990s, he is still considered one of the greatest rappers of all time.

HOW TO ENJOY CANNABIS RESPONSIBLY WHEN TRAVELING BY JASON PETERSON

In the U.S. and across many other countries, cannabis tourism is on the rise. Global weed tourism is at full throttle and shows no signs of slowing down thanks to lowered travel restrictions, and the implementation of better cannabis policies in several countries across the globe.

There has been a huge shift in decriminalizing cannabis as legal, adult-use recreational consumption becomes the norm, but knowing the rules about purchasing and using cannabis when traveling can be challenging. The rules vary state-to-state and aren’t always easily understand. For example, you could be traveling between states in the U.S. and find yourself moving from a cannabis-friendly state to an unfriendly state rather suddenly. Running afoul of some state’s cannabis use rules can still land you in a bit of trouble, so here are some tips to keep in mind for consuming responsibly in states where cannabis is legal.

Do your research

When researching your trip, and certainly before setting off, you should look at the rules surrounding the specific destinations you’ll be traveling too. While this sounds like common sense, it’s something worth looking into even if you don’t plan on consuming cannabis where you’re going. With it becoming more available and accessible, you’re more likely to stumble across it or see friends with it. Each state has different laws, and you should have at least a basic understanding of what is and isn’t allowed.

Sometimes there’s no substitute for a good ole’ Google – just search “cannabis consumption in X location”. This will then present the local government’s up-to-date rules and regulations.

Smoking or consuming publicly also changes state-by-state, even in states that have legalized weed, it might still be illegal to smoke on the street or in a public space. So, unless you’re absolutely sure you can consume in public view, we advise you to stay cautious and stick to private spaces or cannabisfriendly spaces like a cannabis-cafe.

When researching accommodation, it might be worth considering https://www.budandbreakfast.com/, a similar platform to Airbnb that lists cannabis friendly accommodation.

Focus on the small print

In some states, the total amount of allowable THC per single piece of chocolate (or gummy, or seltzer) is 5 mg and in others, it’s 10 mg. In unregulated states, it could be even higher. We strongly advise reading the fine print before you travel. The allowance, dosage, and how much you can carry at one time differs in each state or by destination. You can’t apply the same approach in each state, especially if you are doing a road trip, or visiting multiple destinations within the U.S.

It’s also worth noting that you should know your limits, as proper dosing is very personal. Many people have a high tolerance and could take 40 mg and only feel mild effects (CRAZY!). If you’re easily affected by cannabis or haven’t used it often, you’ll probably find that 5mg is PLENTY! Your level of tolerance all depends on factors like your age, metabolic rate, body fat percentage, and experience. Start ‘low and slow.’ You can always have another seltzer.

Take extra precautions when flying

When traveling with cannabis products, you need to be especially careful. The legality of these products changes based on your location. For example, nearly all states will allow possession of hemp-based CBD, as it was federally legalized in the U.S. in 2018, but Idaho doesn’t even allow for hemp-based CBD products if they contain any measurable amount of hemp-based THC.

However, if you’re traveling to a state that you know has strict marijuana regulations (ahem, Idaho!), research the state laws before bringing CBD and make sure your CBD products are devoid of THC. Or, at the very least, contain less than 0.3% THC.

When traveling outside the U.S., rules differ on a per-country basis. CBD is illegal in a few European countries and Asian countries. Most African and Middle Eastern countries have banned all cannabis products, CBD included.

The best rule of thumb when traveling with CBD is to research whether your destination (and any countries or states you are traveling through to get to your destination) allow CBD. You should also make sure you thoroughly understand the products in your possession, what they were made from (hemp v.

cannabis) and whether they contain any THC, or are purely CBD.

Don’t drive high

Drug-impaired driving can put you, your passengers, and anyone else sharing the road with you in danger. It’s a serious crime and the penalties associated with driving under the influence of ANY SUBSTANCE, including hemp-based products, can result in heavy fines and jail time across the U.S.

Please, just don’t do it and plan ahead, so you can get home safely.

If in doubt, get an Uber.

Seek out lounges

When it comes to consuming cannabis, your setting can really impact the experience that you have. It’s nice to find a cool place to let loose and enjoy yourself. Many states and cities allow cannabis consumption in designated lounges, restaurants, or bars, offering people a great place to relax and enjoy themselves. These cannabis-friendly cafes and lounges usually serve CBD and THC products like edibles, beverages, and joints, and even allow patrons to consume their own cannabis on-site. Be careful though, as these may be more of a turn-a-blind-eye kind of ‘rule,’ and smoking indoors is illegal in many parts of the US. Fortunately, we make incredibly delicious hemp-based THC+CBD seltzers that bypasses the whole, smoking aspect, so make sure you look around to see if those are available in your area (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Ask a budtender

When in doubt…. Ask. And who better to ask than the person working at the dispensary—as the concierge of your cannabis experience.

They can give you the low-down on the best organically-grown weed, direct you to a local cannabis lounge, and, most importantly, help you find the right experience for your needs. Sure, they’re stoners, but who better to ask some cannabis advise from?

Whether you’re looking for something to help you sleep or you want something to make you feel creative and energized, the budtender will be able to steer you to the best strain and method of delivery.

About Cycling Frog: Launching in January 2022, Cycling Frog offers unique, safe, and fun hemp-based, THC + CBD products to a mass audience. Their flagship range of THC Seltzers comes in a range of flavors, are vegan, 50-60 calories, are federally-legal, and offer 5mg THC per 120z can. Cycling Frog aims to change an entire generation’s perception and access to THC + CBD products in the US.

“F*ck the rules. F*ck convention. F*ck the status quo. We are pushing the boundaries and going into uncharted territory. Join us in paving the way to freely enjoy cannabis as has never been done in our lifetime. Cycling Frog isn’t just a brand. It’s a statement. It’s the belief that cannabis consumption should be normalized. Cannabis should be affordable. Cannabis should be accessible. Cannabis is fun. Cannabis should be enjoyed with the same ease as your favorite sparkling water or beer, and we at Cycling Frog are here to make that happen.”

BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE THE FIRST EIGHT YEARS IN PICTURES

THE FIRST BOOK FROM BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE

BLACK WESTCHESTER

THE ORIGIN STORY

BY AJ WOODSON

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

RATES

Full page – $750.00 (10 1/3″ x 13 1/4″) – inside covers (front and back) $850 – outside Back cover $950

Half page – $475.00

-horizontal 10 1/2″ x 6 1/2″

-vertical 5 1/8″ x 13 1/4″

Quarter page $350.00

-horizontal 10 1/2 x 3 1/4″

-vertical 5 1/8″ x 6 1/2″

1/8 page $275.00

-horizontal 5 1/8 x 3″

-vertical 2 3/8 x 6 1/2″

Business Card $125 – Double Business Card Ad $175

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

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

FOUR YEARS STRONG AND COUNTING

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

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

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

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

DEMOGRAPHICS

GENRE

Male - 42.55%

female - 57.45%

RACE/ETHNICITY/NATIONALITY

Black/ African-American- 62.24%

Hispanic or Latino - 6.12%

White - 23.47%

Asian - 2.04%

Caribbean - 10.20%

Native American - 7.14%

Other - 2.04%

AGE

17 OR YOUNGER- 5.15%

18-20 - 1.03%

21-29 - 4.12%

30-39 - 6.19%

40-49 - 31.96%

50-59 - 29.90%

60 OR OLDER - 21.65%

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Employed, Working Full-Time- 46.24%

Employed, Working Part-Time - 5.45%

Self Employed - 15.05%

Unemployed - 5.38%

Retired - 18.28%

Disabled, Unable To Work - 8.60%

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.

WHY ARE BLACK MEN INVISIBLE, MISSING FROM NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AGENDA?

BY DAMON K JONES

There has been a troubling silence on the health and wellbeing of Black men. There is a need to sound the alarm on improving black men’s health and the health disparities affecting them.

I decided to write this after watching a speech of an artist at the BET Awards. First, she said that her award was for women, even though men buy her records. But that’s OK, I get it. Then she spoke on the fight against the overturning of Roe v Wade and legalizing abortion. She asks the Black men in the audience, do we, Black men have Black women back in that fight.

My thoughts were absolutely, but we as Black men are still invisible to the national conversation of health and, unfortunately, invisible to many Black women in the overall fight for the health and mental stability of Black men.

As we march and sound the alarm for the rights of women’s health, which is a reasonable and necessary cause. We should be ever mindful and equally vocal that the health of Black men consistently ranks lowest across nearly all groups in the United States.

Evidence on the health and social causes of morbidity and mortality among Black men has been an ignored public health emergency!

Men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year but are 32% more likely to be hospitalized. Black men are far less likely to access health care than are white men or any group of women. Black men are 75% less likely to have health insurance than white men. Thirty percent of all men, compared with 19% of all women, do not have a regular physician.

You would even think that educated Black men would have a long life span and better health. There is no significant increase as it is for white men. Even with 6 figure jobs, Black men will overwhelmingly die from chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer than white men.

Black men have the lowest life expectancy rate at 72.2 years. the life expectancy for White men was 76.6 years; for White women, it was 81.1 years; and for Black women, it was 78.2.

Notably, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Black men accounting for 37% of all new cancer cases. Although prostate cancer is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in White men, incidence rates are 73% higher in Black men. But our we are still missing because prostate cancer also receives the least funding per new case than Breast Cancer.

As a publisher of a newspaper and a First Aid For Mental Health Practitioner, I have noticed the silence on the national platforms about the mental health of Black men. But I am also aware that having an honest discussion of Black men’s Mental health does not fit the negative toxic narrative or national images of Black men that have oversaturated Black music, media, and culture.

1 in 5 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18 and the rates are dramatically higher in Black areas marred by systemic poverty, broken homes, high unemployment, and sociological problems.

Research suggests that young boys in particular may be

extremely uncomfortable around other men and may suffer from confusion and anxiety about their own masculinity when becoming an adult.

Researchers have sounded the alarm about the number of young Black men dying by suicide, but Black leaders, the Black Community, and especially Black women are not listening.

Once again, Black men are invisible! How can we be when research shows the alarming rise of suicide among Black men? These Black men are fathers, husbands, uncles, and sons, and still, we are missing from the national conversation, missing from messages from our Black pulpits, and Black leaders, and missing from any wellness checks from our wives, daughters, and sisters. The Black man’s health and stability are invisible in today’s society and Black culture.

It’s also an unfortunate cultural condition that even black women have failed to realize the

need for mentally stable Black men. When the Black man is open about his need for mental help, he is perceived as weak or not masculine. Is toxic masculinity more of a norm and acceptable than healthy masculinity?

Many Black men suffer alone! Even married, they suffer alone! They suffer in silence!

Being a Black man in today’s world to deal with racism, economic oppression, political oppression, being hunted by racist police, fear of being a homicide victim, and a systematic cultural separation from Black women; Black men have learned how to mask. When we walk out, we put it on. When we come home, we put it on. And everything is fine until it’s not! When Black men choose to be healthy, there is no support. There is more support from the Black man to have an unhealthy toxic lifestyle than have a healthy mind, body, and soul.

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

While most studies show that Black men are more likely to die by suicide while Black women are more likely to attempt suicide, recent research has observed that Caribbean Black men in the US have the highest attempt rate in the African American community. This article is not to minimize any women’s efforts for equality and rights. My point is that the Black women and the Black man have the same fight, but Black men have been omitted from the healthcare agenda. We must break the toxic cultural conditioning of competing and begin to holistically work with each other. The Black man and women have worked as a team from slavery to Jim Crow, through the Civil Rights Movement and the same enemy we had then, we have now. Please see us! We are here! And many of us are in pain!

DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE: DESTROYING THE MYTH VEGETABLES DON’T HAVE ENOUGH VITAMINS, MINERALS, FIBER & PROTEINS

BY DAMON K. JONES

There has been much discussion around why people who chose a plant-based lifestyle do not receive the proper nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from just eating vegetable fruits, legumes, and nuts.

Unfortunately, this is an entirely false narrative with a long history of misinformation, mainly by the meat snd poultry industry. Contrary to popular belief, many medical doctors are not taught or have not been educated on massive data and research. The fact of the matter is, eating a plant-based diet can reverse many chronic diseases and allow people to relieve themselves from taking so many different medications.

A plant-based diet is low in saturated fat, free of cholesterol, and rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Research also reveals that following this type of lifestyle will lower your risks of Heart disease. Hypertension (high blood pressure), Diabetes, and help you lose weight.

Living a plant-based lifestyle is also beneficial to the brain and may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. A decline in brain health is not an inevitable part of aging. Nevertheless, our eating lifestyle can help us protect our memory and stay sharp into old age.

I have a saying; it is “Gods in your vegetables.” I say this because we are living beings who live off energy or body electricity. For our bodies to operate at optimum health, it is incumbent to feed our body living nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The best way to do that is by eating fruits, vegetables, and legumes. We instead consume dead meat, poultry, and fish voided by life and life’s energy as so-called evolved humans. A live body deserves to be fed live food, not dead caucuses.

Our eating habits are part of our cultural conditioning. Diets rich in meat are linked to various health problems, from heart disease and strokes to type two Diabetes and some cancers—people who eat diets high in meat have also been found to live shorter lives.

Black Americans are 1.5 to 2.0 times more likely than whites to have most chronic diseases. Black children are disproportionately affected by racial/ethnic health disparities. Between 1960 and 2005, the percentage of children with a chronic disease in the United States almost quadrupled, with Black youth having a higher likelihood for these diseases. The most common major chronic diseases of Black youth in the United States are asthma, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, dental disease, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, mental illness, cancers, sickle-cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and a variety of genetic and Other congenital disabilities.

In the picture above, it looks like a simple salad. However, just a salad made correctly can pack a punch of vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

This Salad is packed with all that you need to obtain optimum health and wellness. Everything we need is in this bowl; vitamins, minerals, fiber, and proteins—LIVING food for your LIVING body. God is in your vegetables.

Leafy Greens: Leafy green vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber but low in calories. Eating a diet rich in leafy greens can offer numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental decline.

Tomatoes: The antioxidant lycopene’s primary dietary source has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

Onions: may have several health benefits, mostly due to their high content of antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, lower blood sugar levels, and improved bone health.

Cucumbers: They are low in calories but contain many essential vitamins and minerals and high water content. Eating cucumbers may lead to many potential health benefits, including weight loss, balanced hydration, digestive regularity, and lower blood sugar levels.

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds contain large amounts of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, plenty of high-quality protein, and several essential minerals and antioxidants. They may improve digestive health, blood levels of heart-healthy omega-3s, and risk factors for heart disease and Diabetes.

Mushrooms: are a rich, low-calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They may also mitigate the risk of developing severe health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer, and Diabetes. They’re also excellent sources of Selenium.

Legumes (Red Beans): are typically low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are high in folate, potassium, iron, and magnesium. They also contain beneficial fats and soluble and insoluble fiber. A good protein source, legumes can be a healthy substitute for meat, which has more fat and cholesterol.

Dont worry; I am not trying to turn you into a vegan. All I am doing is debunking the myth and our cultural conditioning about food and the Black American diet. Even if we eat meat less and more fruits and vegetables throughout the week, we can see changes in our health with a little exercise.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GREENBURGH TOWN COUNCIL

So, I say again, Paul Feiner, do BLACK LIVES MATTER IN GREENBURGH? Not that your answer of yes, will change a thing because it hasn’t in 437 days since this sign was torn down and with your NO VOTE on the affordable component in the deal submitted to you by the developer they don’t matter when it comes to these 113 single family homes that are to be built. So, your actions speak louder than your words.

With Councilman Francis Sheehan and Councilwoman Ellen Hendrix the other two Town Board Members, we Black people already know you are going to keep this systemically racist system going, because it makes you feel safe to know where the Black people are in Greenburgh, in Fairview, the project’s and the five scattered sites, yup, right where you want us and that’s why Parkway Homes and Parkway Gardens isn’t on your radar. You know that homeowners have come before the Town Board informing you that many of the homes are not owner occupied in this community but becoming rental properties where many of the bedrooms in these homes have locks on the bedroom doors indicating that rooms are being rented out in this affluent black community with its rich Black History and they are being purchased not by black people but by LLCs and White investors because the property values are lower than their neighboring communities and will drop even lower if this continues, but that’s just fine with you because that can force Black homeowners to leave, then what?

Dear Greenburgh Town Board

This letter is to you all, but more specifically speaking to Councilman Ken Jones and Councilwoman Gina Jackson. WHY, would you VOTE AGAINST A SET ASIDE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING that boarders on an established old Black neighborhood south of Downing Drive, Old Road, and Dobbs Ferry Rd? The Developer had provided a proposal for Townhomes with an Affordable component and you along with the other Town Board Members voted against it and now YOU two along with the other four Town Board members are considering,113 Single Family Homes, with an average bedroom size of 4, at a cost of $1.2Million with NO set aside, NO affordable or low-income component to be built.

IT TAKES 3 VOTES FROM THIS TOWN BOARD TO CHANGE OR CREATE ANYTHING IN GREENBURGH AND HERE WE HAVE TWO, people, yes people, we have 2 Black people on this Town Board, shocking isn’t it?! Because if you didn’t know, you surely wouldn’t know.

I speak to you two Black Councilmembers! Do you realize your still supporting redlining and gentrification of our Black Communities? Communities? Do you realize that you have the power to change the systemically racist system, that you are working in? Black people voted you in to be the voice and creator of opportunity in Greenburgh and you don’t advocate for our people, you don’t even go to them and let them know this is happening to them. You’ve bought into what the White establishment says, meaning your white Town Board colleagues, if the people wanna know they gotta come to Town Board Meetings, but what happened to the same vigor you both used to get the Black vote? Why not use that same vigor to inform our people, so they can make decisions about what this Town Board is doing to them? YOU know that many have no idea what’s happening to them or what they may be able to do about it!

In my opinion you both need to step down! You are not qualified, you are not advocating for the Black people in Greenburgh, you’re not creating opportunities for the Black people in Greenburgh and you are not a voice for the Black people in Greenburgh! What you both are NOT… IS PART OF THE BLACK MOVEMENT, but instead GATEKEEPERS continuing to block Black people from having access, opportunities, liberties, justice and the innate right to be free!

As for the Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, shame on you for acting as if Black Lives Matter in Greenburg! You as the Towns Supervisor should be acting as chief officer overseeing government activities, not just fiscally but to also include the Black citizens that voted for you, you have an obligation to serve the Black Lives that live in Greenburgh, the lives that you bicycle to and act as if everything is wonderful to. YOU also did nothing when you speak about affordable housing, how important it is to you, it’s only important to you if Black people stay contained within the boundaries created through redlining and it’s proven that the redlined needle hasn’t moved towards anywhere near fair and equitable to Black people in Greenburgh since you’ve been in office for the past 33 years. Now you’ve doubled down and let 113 Single Family Homes priced at $1.2Million be built on your watch, not advocating for or demanding that an affordable component be built in.

Do Black Lives Matter in Greenburgh Paul? Did Black Lives Matter when that sign was taken down by a vandal on Knollwood Road and the Town took 281 days to get it put back up and it’s now day 437 no suspects, no information being given to the Black community since we all know this was a HATE CRIME targeted towards Black people, as the message sent was Black people aren’t wanted on Knollwood Road, yet it’s not being called the hatecrime that it is and YOU as Town Supervisor have said nothing more about it!

Well, 20 years from now, really less than that if this goes unchecked by the town, this will just be another space in Greenburgh where Black people will say, yeah did you know this used to be a very prestigious community of Black people here, but they are gone now, just like those families near the Golf Course where you are building these homes and the Black families and Black businesses on 119, that used to be there too. And to think, Francis you were so excited about the in Support of Black Lives Resolution that the NAACP had done, wow, smdh! I knew it would just be a piece of paper with no merit for Black people.

This board is really incapable of that type of change at that level and to think the NAACP had called on the two Black Town Board Members to educate the White Town Board members, on what Black people in Greenburgh needed to have a fair and equitable existence, but there was HOPE that these two councilmembers understood the assignment and we see they too promised change and didn’t deliver, especially on this opportunity presented before them, 113 single family homes that can afford many a Black person the access to thrive within Greenburgh. NO what’s happening is redlining, still living under a cloaked oppressive regime, handing out handshakes and smiles of change.

As many may not know what redlining in Black communities is and YES, Black people of Greenburgh you are redlined, it is this… Redlining is a discriminatory practice in which services (financial and otherwise) are withheld from potential customers who reside in neighborhoods that have significant numbers of racial minorities and low-income residents. There are food deserts, like the removal of supermarkets, paying higher insurance premiums (auto, life) and the warehousing of these people and giving limited or no other services that are easily accessible or accessible at all in these neighborhoods.

I just say, how many more high end car dealerships are going to be built on 119 in the Fairview community where if 1 Black man from the community who has employment if you’re reading this let us know. What about the removal of the grocery store in Fairview. What about the buses at the Theodore D Young Community Center that served seniors and others in the community? Did you know these buses have not been in service for several years because the TOWN didn’t ensure that DMW had the medical information of the drivers so DMV took these buses off the road?! These are just a few examples of what can happen to us while living in a redlined communities, not to mention the treatment of the seniors that were moved to have their homes redeveloped during a pandemic. Did you know they were moved when Governor Cuomo had a stay in place order during covid, where several seniors died.

Let’s not forget the 5 scattered sites that too are under redevelopment, where many did not receive a Section 8 Voucher in their hand but instead moved into Section 8 apartments, but many may now learn that after a year and a day a voucher can be put in their hand, wait what, is that what was promised initially, NO, wait but now they get a voucher after a year and a day, is this true?

Only time will tell, but what I do know is that no one from Greenburgh got any work on these redevelopments. The crew and company doing the 5 scattered sites are from New Jersey, wait, so their money goes to New Jersey it doesnt stay in New York, let alone Greenburgh! Again, just a few signs that Black Lives Don’t Matter in Greenburgh!!

So what I say to the Black people in Greenburgh, what are you prepared to do? Are you prepared to join the MOVEMENT? Are you willing to stand up by any means necessary for our children as our parents did, as their parents did and all before them? Our history is rich with evidence that this doesn’t have to happen if we mobilize, commit and be consistent to fight for our innate right as human beings to be FREE!

I STAND WITH YOU! I WILL FIGHT NEXT TO YOU…. I CAN’T STOP & WON’T STOP, I AM IN THIS MOVEMENT FOR LIFE, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!

In Solidarity

Mechelle Brown, Community Activist

ANOTHER OPEN LETTER TO THE GREENBURGH MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

To the Editor:

Readers of Black Westchester alerted me this week to Mechelle Brown’s open letter to members of the Greenburgh Town Board which was posted in your July 25, 2022 edition, and encouraged me to share my own perspective.

Ms. Brown criticizes board members for failing to adopt a law requiring that a minimum number of affordable houses be built in every new single family home development, noting in particular that the Town Board recently approved a 113-lot subdivision of million dollar homes on the site of the former Elmwood Country Club on Dobbs Ferry Road -- without requiring a single one to be designated as “affordable.”

In March of this year, I appeared at a public hearing on that project and formally called upon town board members to enact such a law for this and all other single family home subdivisions throughout the 19 square miles of unincorporated Greenburgh.

Thirty-year incumbent town Supervisor Paul Feiner announced he supported the idea, and the town’s planning commissioner said he would have a draft law prepared for the board to review within two months’ time. Then nothing happened.

Three months later, in June, I appeared again before the town board to call for a mandatory affordability set aside for single family homes, and got no public response.

Privately, a town board member told me that the board feared that enacting such a law would discourage developers from building new single family homes and, more importantly, that if it were made applicable to the new Elmwood development, the developer there might sue the town to block any requirement that it build affordable, on the theory that if the town wanted any affordable housing there, it should have allowed the developer to make even more money by building up to 175 million-dollar townhouses instead of only allowing 113 million-dollar single family homes.

That kind of spineless leadership in the teeth of a regional chronic shortage of affordable single family homes perpetuates systematic racism not just in Greenburgh, but everywhere.

Restricting affordability set-asides to new multifamily dwellings does nothing to address the need for affordable single-family

homes. In fact, existing set asides which, like in Greenburgh, reward developers who build 100% affordable in exchange for a so-called “density bonus” results in the construction of undersized apartments that are ill-suited for raising children, making the need for affordable single-family homes even greater.

Limiting affordability set asides to multifamily housing also contributes to racially segregated neighborhoods because Greenburgh, like many communities in Westchester, doesn’t allow multifamily housing in its residentially zoned neighborhoods, which are limited to single one-family homes and open to people of color only if they can afford to buy a home there, which many cannot.

Greenburgh needs an affordable housing law which applies an affordability set aside to all forms of housing including new single family home subdivisions. I would like to see a set aside of 20%, but 10% is at least a start and a small price to pay.

And if a developer of luxury million dollar homes does not wish to build any affordable units, he or she should then be permitted to “buy out” of the obligation so that the town can create a fund which it can use to make other single family homes in Greenburgh affordable. And towns like Greenburgh that welcome new billion-dollar businesses like Regeneron that hire new workers who inevitably squeeze the local housing market even tighter should require those businesses to contribute a portion of their revenue to the town’s affordable housing fund.

The demand for single family homes in our market is already so high and shows no signs of abating that the incremental cost of imposing an affordability set aside shouldn’t discourage developers, buyers, or local elected officials.

But sadly, as Ms. Brown reminds us, there is no leadership, vision or guts in Greenburgh’s municipal government to do any of these things, and there hasn’t been for decades. That needs to change.

Bob Bernstein

48 Old Colony Road Hartsdale, New York 10530

The writer is a lawyer and civic leader in the Edgemont section of unincorporated Greenburgh.

BW SUMMER LITERACY 2022 - YOUR SUMMER READING LIST

BY CYNTHIA TURNQUEST-JONES

Summer reading is also amazing because you can read at the beach, the pool, while flying to a summer destination and create summer reading camps with family members plus school friends. Your Young Reader should read at least nine books during the summer months. Parents and guardians should also be a buddy reader. Try buying two of the same books and intentionally create book conversations.Talk about the setting and share your favorite characters with one another. Discuss the problem and solution. Research the author and illustrator. Write them a litter. Draw a picture. I think it would be cool if you extend the invitation to other family members and friends. Let them know what books you are reading. Create a meet and greet. Have dinner and tell everyone to bring their book(s). End the summer with a celebration. Brag about the reading culture your family created during the Summer of 2022. Remember that summer reading provides benefits that will enhance past the Summer months. Enjoy the list!

Birth to Pre-School

100 Animals by Steve Jenkins. An early word book that explores animals from across the world, shown through cut-paper illustrations and flaps to lift on each page.

As Babies Dream by Leslea Newman In this soothing bedtime story, the sun sets and reveals a starry night over animal and human families. Best Day Ever! by Marylin Singer. This rhyming story features a boy and his dog as their day goes from best to worst and back to best.

CHAIWALA! by Priti Birla Maheshwari. When the train makes a brief stop, a mother and young child watch and experience the sounds, sights, and delicious smells of a hot cup of chai being made.

Circle Under Berry by Carter Higgins. This unusual concept book works as an observation game, a tongue twister, and a primer on spatial awareness. Read it fast or slow; it’s oodles of fun.

Don’t Hug Doug by Carrie Finison. Doug does not like hugs in this picture book about personal boundaries and consent. He does like high fives though.

Fluffy McWiskers: Cuteness Explosion by Stephen W. Martin

Enjoy the deadpan humor of a story about a cat so adorable that anyone who sees her explodes.

A Home Under the Stars by Andy Chou Musser In the city, Toby feels lost and angry without the stars at night. When a lion appears in search of the North Star, they journey together through the city to find it.

A House by Kevin Henkes. This book poses a series of simple questions about a house for readers to answer and consider what makes a house a home.

Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel. Inside Cat only sees the world through windows until one day its perspective changes with the opening of a door.

Kindergarten to 2nd Grade

13 Ways To Eat A Fly by Sue Heavenrich. Count down from 13 to 1 as flies are zapped, wrapped, poked, soaked, and even baked in a cake in this hilariously informative book. Nutrition facts included.

Bear Builds A House by Maxwell Eaton II. Cartoon illustrations depict all the steps Bear and his friends complete while building a functional house in the wilderness.

Boardwalk Babies by Marissa Moss. Step right up and learn about the amazing Dr. Couney and his very small patients in this picturebook biography that explains how incubators for premature babies went from sideshow to medical practice.

Camila The Record-Breaking Star by Alicia Salazar. In this early chapter book series starter, Camila wants to become a star by breaking a world record. However, it turns out to be harder than it looks.

Dad Bakes by Katie Yamasaki. Early in the morning, Dad goes to work at the bakery, and then he comes home to his daughter to play, read, and bake together.

Dancing With Daddy by Anitra Rowe Schulte. A nonverbal young girl in a wheelchair anticipates an upcoming father-daughter dance, supported by her attentive and loving family.

Dear Treefrog by Joyce Sidman. A young girl moves to a new neighborhood and settles into her surroundings by observing a tiny treefrog. Short poems are interspersed with facts about frog life cycles. Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker. All the neighbors on Dream Street have something that makes them special, whether it’s how they dress, what they say, or their passions in life. Evocative portraits, in both words and collage, make this an inspiring read-aloud for all ages.

Everyday, Chemistry by Julia Sooy. A day in the life of a young girl shows us that chemistry is all around us, from a toasting piece of bread for breakfast to the battery-powered flashlight used to read a bedtime story. Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj. This wordless picture book with muted colors explores all the ways that kindness is cyclical. Kindness begins when a woman loses her dog but helps another find food.

3rd Grade to 5th Grade

Crossing The Stream by Elizabeth-Irene Baitie. It’s been a long time since Ato has seen his grandmother, but in trying to solve a mystery at school, he begins to rebuild those broken family bonds.

Egg Marks the Spot by Amy Timberlake. Roommates Skunk and Badger set off for a weekend of camping and rock finding.

Unfortunately, Badger’s cousin shows up with his rat accomplices to steal the amber-encased egg they’ve found hidden in a cave.

Escape At 10,000 Feet: D.B. Cooper and the Missing Money by Tom Sullivan. The mystery of D. B. Cooper and the missing $200,000 is expertly unraveled in this true crime series starter heavily illustrated with unsolved case files.

Everything Awesome About Space and Other Galactic Facts! By Mike Lowery. Playful illustrations and an amazing amount of

information come together to give a fun and interesting view of our universe and our exploration of it.

Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds. Portico Reeves, aka Stuntboy, lives in a huge apartment building that he considers his castle. With the help of his friendly neighbors, Stuntboy faces enemies, anxiety, and bickering parents in a series of illustrated episodes.

Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly. Mysterious Orchid Mason arrives in small- town Louisiana and shakes up the cliques and alliances at Fawn Creek K–12. Her new classmates find themselves thinking about who they are and the choices they make in ways they’ve never before considered.

Treaty Words: For As Long As The Rivers Flow by Aimee Craft. Mishomis explains the true nature of treaties, a bond meant to encourage working together, to his granddaughter.

Yummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliott. Follow a trio of enthusiastic sprites as they share the history and science of desserts, including ice cream, cake, and cookies, in this graphic novel duology starter. The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo. A young girl appears at Brother Edik’s monastery, somehow befriends their most ornery goat, and changes not only the lives of the brothers at the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing but many others’ as well.

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Perfection by Matthew Swanson. A fortune cookie that says “practice makes perfect” leads Ben to try to make his life, and everyone’s around him, perfect. Third book in a series.

6th Grade to 8th Grade

Ain’t Burned All The Bright by Jason Reynolds. Over three “breaths,” a boy reflects on current social events from within his home, where his father isolates, sick, in a spare and powerfully illustrated blend of mixedmedia collage and poetry.

Art of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for Your Revolution by DeNichols. Explore the art of the past to inform the revolutionary work of now! In addition to highlighting familiar works, this title also features pieces by young activist artists.

Aviva VS. The Dybbuk by Mari Lowe. An isolated tween, haunted by a dybbuk (a restless ghost), navigates continued struggles at home and at school following her father’s murder, a hate crime, years before.

Bounce Back by Misako Rocks! Lilico moves from Japan to the U.S. and, despite a bully, manages to make friends, play basketball, and get a magical talking cat in this light and easy read for fans of graphic novels and manga.

Boy, Everywhere by A.M. Dassu. When the Syrian civil war hits too close to home, 13-year-old Sami must flee his idyllic life in Damascus, after which he endures a harrowing journey to England, the guilt of putting his family’s lives in danger, and questions about his identity as a refugee.

City of Thieves (Battle Dragons #1) by Alex London. In a world where domesticated dragons are used for everything from transportation to sanitation, feuding bands of thieves engage in dangerous dragon battles over the city, and young Abel must protect his friends and family.

The Curse of the Mummy by Candace Fleming. Thieves, archaeologists, and rich, snobbish (and racist) Europeans play parts in this captivating book that combines history about Egyptian tombs with the tales of those who disturbed the ancient dead and were believed to be cursed.

The Deadliest Disease Then and Now by Deborah Hopkins. From the Middle Ages to today, a fascinating look at plagues and pandemics, how each began, and how they impacted the world.

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor by Shannon K. Garrity. A fan of gothic romance novels finds herself in one, but there’s something a bit odd about the three handsome brothers, their manor, and its surroundings. A graphic novel with a humorous mix of romance and sci-fi.

Dream, Annie, Dream by Waka T. Brown. Daughter of immigrants, Annie Inoue has big dreams to be a star. When she gets a lead role in The King and I, her classmates suggest she only got the part because of her race.

Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and The Ultimate Cold War Showdown by Steve Sheinkin. This narrative nonfiction, mixed with recollections and factual information, will take readers back to post–World War II when the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were in conflict with each other.

Founder Cynthia Turnquest-Jones

Tha Brown Urban Mother Partners, Inc., Tha B.U.M.P.

CHANESE COLEMAN GET SWORN IN BY CONGRESSMAN BOWMAN

Chanese Valerie Coleman was sworn-in as a Mount Vernon Public Library Trustee by Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Wednesday, July 20th at the library’s annual re-organization meeting, before the regularly scheduled Board Meeting. Donna Marable sang a soul stirring rendention of the Star Spangle Banner and Juanita Thomas did the prayer. After the swearing in of Ms. Coleman as the newest board member and Dr. Vivien Salmon who won re-election on May 17th. Dr. Salmon was re-appointed as the Board President, Chanese Coleman was appointed Vice President of the board and Oscar Davis was appointed the Board Secretary. This was the first official swearing in performed by Congressman Bowman.

LET GIRLS LEARN DAY 2022

BY CYNTHIA TURNQUEST-JONES

“Before every Let Girls Learn Day event, I like to sit back and get a view from the perspective of a Little Girl. Standing in the middle of the library and scanning the room. In the silence of the creation, I am questioning myself. Would I say WOW? I am also very nervous because I want the girls to learn while enjoying themselves. This is the 6th celebration for Girls in Mount Vernon, New York hosted by Tha Brown Urban Mother Partners, Inc.”, shared Cynthia Turnquest-Jones.

The word “learn” was exchanged with the word “love.” We are currently experiencing a different level of bullying and trauma in our communities. Many speak about Covid being a reason. Many share that Covid actually shined a light on a traumatized group of students that was never addressed. This event was called Let Girls Love Day with deliberate activities of love.

The books of choice at the Let Girls Learn Day events are intentionally for the Girls regardless of their community. Let Girls Learn Days started in 2017 traveling from Mount Vernon to Queens to villages like Punta Gorda, Ladyville and Caye Caulker in Belize Central America. “Our Black and Brown girls were and are currently the casualties of media malpractice. Media plays this wicked roll of making sure that our Young Girls are exposed to being ignorant at an alarming rate. Media pushes the needle of painting the picture of Black Woman as junk, single, fatherless, riffraff. When Black and Brown Girls cannot find herself mirrored in the books they read, or when the images they see are altered from the truth, unfriendly, or comical, they learn the powerful lesson about how they are written off in the consortium of which they are a part of.”quoted Cynthia Turnquest-Jones at the Bank Street College Alumni Awards. Adults invited to the Let Girls Learn Day events can not enter unless they have a book or books that are either a widow or sliding glass door. Books with Black and Brown characters that speak to a girl with hope, promise, and love is a part of Let Girls Learn Day.

CEO of Tha Brown Urban Mother Partners, Inc. Cynthia TurnquestJones studied Multicultural education scholar Rudine Sims Bishop. She talks about books as mirrors, which are texts in which children can find themselves, their families, and their communities reflected and valued. When students read books where they see characters like themselves who are valued in the world, they feel a sense of belonging. All events include books that are mirrors and sliding glassdoor’s.

Tha Brown Urban Mother Partners, Inc decided to incorporate healthy eating paired with healthy conversations about love. We included YOGA figuring our Young Girls would benefit from reducing their anxiety. We talked about stress and love, to promote a sense of calmness. As in the past many Women were invited to stay and engage with the girls. Heart to heart conversations with concerned Women like the Mayor of Mount Vernon Shawn Patterson-Howard, City Councilwoman Cathlin Gleason, Daniel A. Henry CEO & Founder of Great Dane 921 Consulting and Clarissa Sinceno CEO of CSong.

All lending to a loving conversation with Young Girls from Mount Vernon, New York. before, during and after their Yoga session. As Daniel Henry passed out personal journals to the girls in the room she said, “When you have a moment of stillness it’s actually beneficial to how you do things in your day to day lives.” Robin Mack a long life resident of Mount Vernon paid close attention to girls who were interested in creating the best friendship bracelet.

The goal is for our Young Girls to enhance their attention while increasing their love for learning. Clarissa Sinceno CEO of CSong provided a room loaded with floral arrangements. She shared the importance of grounding yourself which helps such health conditions as recovery from illness and injury, jet lag, exhaustion, inflammation, arthritis, weight issues, depression, chronic pain, and more. Each girl used soil and plants to create a person plant pot to take home and care for.

Let Girls Love Day was an “incredible day” according to mother Felicia Barnes and grandmother Vanessa Cowan who both arrived on time and did not leave until every girl left with love. We were able to greet one another with love. It is with great hope that these girls who practiced yoga and took this mindful pauses might improve their attention and memory plus alleviate academic stress. They all left with slime, personal yoga mats, friendship bracelets, and a plant they each planted themselves.