VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 7
COMPLIMENTARY
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas
INSIDE BW
TASHA YOUNG ATTEMPTS TO MAKE HISTORY AS GREENBURGH’S FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND FIRST FEMALE TOWN SUPERVISOR PAGE 6
REMEMBERING MOUNT VERNON’S OWN LEW HILL PAGE 7
THE BROY – BLACK RENAISSANCE OF YONKERS BY DENNIS RICHMOND PAGE 8
A DEMOCRAT IS PRESIDENT ONCE AGAIN, BUT ARE YOU STILL WITH US BY REHAN SABRI
CICELY TYSON THE EPITOME OF BLACK EXCELLENCE PAGES 14 - 15, 21
PAGE 18
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
BY JAMES A JOHNSON PAGES 20
HEATH AND WELLNESS: GUT HEALTH PAGE 23
RONALD BLACKWOOD WILLIAM VORIS NY’S FIRST ELECTED 30 YEARS NOT A SLAVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAYOR BY AJ WOODSON
PAGE 24
PAGE 24
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2BLACK WESTCHESTER
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
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FEBRUARY 15, 2021
NEWS WITH THE BLACK POINT OF VIEW
BLACK WESTCHESTER3
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4 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
NEWS WITH THE BLACK POINT OF VIEW
BLACK WESTCHESTER 5
FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK Founded in 2014 by DAMON K. JONES AJ WOODSON Published by URBANSOUL MEDIA GROUP 455 Tarrytown Rd., Suite 1318 White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 979-2093 www.BlackWestchester.com
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Publisher DAMON K. JONES @DamonKJones
Editor-In-Chief AJ WOODSON
@BWEditorInChief
Mistress Of Information Brenda L. Crump News Reporters/ Writers AJ Woodson Damon K. Jones James A. Johnson Dennis Richmond Jr. Rehan Sabri
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 W elcome to our February 15, 2021 Issue This month, the nation celebrates Black History Month, although here at Black
Westchester we celebrate the achievements of African-Americans every month because as Blalck People we make history 365/24/7. With that said we welcome you to our Black History Month issue. We dedicate this issue to Ms. Cicely Tyson who was the Epitome of Black Excellence (pages 14-15 and 21) and celebrate another son of Mount Vernon we lost just before publishing this issue, Sugar Hill, Lew Hill (page 7). Our guest columnist Dennis Richmond Jr, wrote a series of article in celebration of Black History (page 8) and we have another powerful article by Rehan Sabri (page 18). We also re-published an article we ran two years ago on the website by James A. Johnson (page 20). Damon K.Jones wrote another article for our new Health and Wellness section (page 23). We celebrate the achievements of several African-Americans in Westchester like Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Mayor Ronald Blackwood and William Voris (page 24), a few sistahs in Westchester who are making and attempting to make history like Tasha Young and Vivian Mackenzie (page 6) and as always we bring you the news with the black point of view! Look out for our new edition to PBP Radio, our Super Tuesdays Show where we will be interviewing several candidates in Westchester running for office, 6PM every Tuesday! 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 ot 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
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6 BLACK WESTCHESTER
NEWS WITH THE BLACK POINT OF VIEW
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
BLACK WESTCHESTER NEWS
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
914 SPOTLIGHT
BY AJ WOODSON
Mount Vernon has lost another one of its beloved sons.
Former Mount Vernon Knight Sugar Hill, Lew Hill died Sunday, February 7th, a day after coaching what was his final game. Hill, 55, was the men’s basketball coach at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He was in his fifth season as coach of the Vaqueros. The school said the cause of death was not known and didn’t provide any other details. The Mount Vernon native took over at Rio Grande Valley in 2016-17, right after going to the Final Four as an assistant coach on Lon Kruger’s staff at Oklahoma, a team that featured another Mount Vernon product, Isaiah Cousins. Hill was an assistant for Kruger with the Sooners from 2011 to 2016 after seven seasons with Kruger at UNLV (200411). “Words cannot describe how any of us feel right now. Everyone in our department is devastated by this news,” Rio Grande Valley athletic director Chasse Conque said. “Coach Hill was an incredible human being. He was my close friend and a trusted colleague. He cared deeply about those around him, from his family to his players to his staff and, really, everyone in the department and at UTRGV.”
TASHA YOUNG ATTEMPTS TO MAKE HER-STORY AS GREENBURGH’S FIRST BLACK AND FIRST FEMALE TOWN SUPERVISOR
TASHA YOUNG, THE DEFINITION OF A STRONG WOMAN A native of Westchester County, Tasha D. Young, MSW was born in White Plains hospital, raised in Elmsford and has been a resident of Greenburgh, New York most of her life. Her experiences and successes over decades of activism and leadership as an executive, educator and parent have shaped her into the ideal of a strong woman. “I believe Greenburgh has an opportunity for growth, transparency, and a fresh outlook, and that comes with new leadership,” she tells Black Westchester. Ms. Young’s style of leadership is rooted in her calling to empower and guide her community through difficult times and uplift those around her to find their ultimate success. She credits the mentorship of notable Greenburgh legends like James Robinson, Yolanda Robinson, Lucky Ferebee, and Phyllis Young with shaping her trajectory. When Tasha started a family as a young adult, she made a decision to make a home for them in Greenburgh and begin her career there as well. Ms. Young earned a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and a Masters
degree in social work from Hunter College while working two jobs as a single mother. These experiences informed Ms.Young’s work in the community where she intentionally committed herself to working with developing organizations and creating and supporting programming to empower girls. She also dedicated herself to implementng and enhancing programs to address food insecurity and partner with organizations addressing domestic violence and human trafficking. A dedicated public servant, Ms. Young’s current role as Chief of Staff to the Majority Leader of the New York City Council requires her to lead the office and provide counsel on crucial issues facing the city, including land use policy and community benefit agreements, and most recently, responding to the impact of the novel coronavirus on New York State’s largest city. Ms. Young’s success in this role and many others continue to guide and inform her leadership in her hometown to bring the Town of Greenburgh fresh and hopeful policies for a bigger, brighter, prosperous, and sustainable future.
For more on Greenburgh Town Supervisor candidate Tasha Young, visit her https://www.tashaforgreenburgh.com/
WESTCHESTER’S ASHA CASTLEBERRY VIVIAN MCKENZIE MAKES HISTORY HERNANDEZ HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO AS FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO BE THE BIDEN – HARRIS ADMINISTRATION NOMINATED FOR MAYOR OF PEEKSKILL Greenburgh’s Asha Castleberry Hernandez has been appointed to the President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris cabinet. The former NY-17 Congressional candidate was appointed Senior Foreign Policy Advisor in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (Middle East & North Africa) at the State Department. “I am excited to join the Biden-Harris Administration,” Castleberry-Hernandez shared with Black Westchester. “The last time I worked there was was 10 years ago at the United States Mission at the UNnited Nations. I enjoyed being part of the White House ceremony! #presidentialappointment.” The former 17th Congressional District candidate stopped by the People Before Politics Radio Show, Sunday, December 15, 2019, to discuss her congressional candidacy. The seat of Nita Lowey who retired was won by Mondaire Jones in a heavily contested primary election. But Castleberry-Hernandez who was disappointed by the lost, failed forward into a presidential appointment. Proving the saying, sometimes we make plans but God has something bigger in store for us. The former Tarrytown, now Elmsford resident is a distinguished national security/foreign policy expert. A former adjunct faculty professor at Fordham Univ, she has taught U.S. Foreign Policy and U.N. Peacekeeping Operations. A U.S. Army veteran, Asha has completed a 30-month deployment in the Middle East. Since the 2014 ISIL incursion in Iraq, she served as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Kuwait. During the Obama Administration, she worked with the State Dept at the U.S. Mission to the U.N.International Military Affairs, U.S. Army Central.
If elected, McKenzie would become only the Second African-American Woman to Lead a Westchester County Town or City! The Peekskill Democratic City Committee has made history by endorsing Deputy Mayor Vivian C. McKenzie for Mayor on the Democratic line, making her the first African-American Woman to ever be nominated for Mayor of the City of Peekskill. Her election would make her only the second Black Woman Mayor – after Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson Howard – in all of Westchester County. Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey, the City’s youngest, announced on Friday, January 15th, that he would not seek re-election at the end of 2021, having served six years in elected office. He is excited to see McKenzie make history. “I don’t believe I was this excited about MY first campaign,” Mayor Andre Rainey shared with Black Westchester. “Vivian is one of the strongest leaders I’ve ever met and she’s consistent. This is a very diverse ticket and I must say, the progress we’ve made, the struggles we’ve faced, and the future we deserve, is well within in these leaders right here. After this pandemic, we need to move fast-forward. After watching Kamala Harris win as our first woman, Vice President, I’m excited to see people like Vivian step up, on a local level. Given her success, Vivian will be the first African-American woman as Mayor Of Peekskill.” Vivian (Cyndi) McKenzie – who owns one of Peekskill’s most successful restaurants, Kathleen’s an English style Tea Room located at 979 Main St, nestled in the historic district of downtown Peekskill – has served on the council since 2013 and was appointed Deputy Mayor by her colleagues in January 2020. “Vivian McKenzie is one of the most capable and accomplished people to serve on the Common Council. There is no one more qualified to lead this City as its mayor,” said Peekskill Democratic City Committee Chairperson, Drew Claxton. “She not only has the leadership experience to manage the City during these complicated times, but she is also what is needed in our city to advance an agenda that supports diversity and the need for structural and systemic reform. Now more than ever, experience matters.” Appointed to the Common Council in 2013, and twice re-elected, Deputy Mayor McKenzie has helped to fundamentally transform the way the City.
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7
REMEMBERING MOUNT VERNON’S OWN LEW HILL
BY AJ WOODSON
Tasha Young, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo, is challenging thirty-year incumbent Paul Feiner, who is vying for a 16th two-year term as Greenburgh Town Supervisor. “My vision for Greenburgh highlights the needs and desires of each of our communities. As this campaign continues to build, I will lay out my strategic plan where I address some of our biggest concerns,” Ms Young shares with Black Westchester. “We are a unique community and I intend to govern to fit the needs of all residents, and I need you to do that. My leadership style is to listen, understand and plan. As I continue to hold conversations with our neighborhood and local leaders, I am taking note of their thoughts about the future of Greenburgh and making informed decisions on a policy platform, actionable steps for fiscal responsibility and infrastructure to name a few.” Ms. Young, an advocate, educator, social worker and leader, if elected will make history as the First African-American, First Woman and First Black Woman to the run the town of Greenburgh since it was founded in 1788. She officially announced her candidacy Monday, February 1.
BLACK WESTCHESTER
The school said it would name an acting head coach soon and make a determination on the status of upcoming games. “This is a tragic loss, not only for the UTRGV community but for the entire Rio Grande Valley community,” school president Guy Bailey said. “Coach Hill was very involved in the community and always had a knack for making everyone he met feel special.” Hill was an assistant coach at South Alabama (1990-92), Southeast Missouri State (1992-94), East Carolina (1994-98) and Texas A&M (1998-2004). “Just shocked and hurt,” said Chris Lowe, a 2005 Mount Vernon High School graduate, who worked as an assistant coach at Texas-Rio Grande Valley. “He did a lot for this basketball community here at UTRGV. He did a lot for these kids, a lot for this university. It’s just so shocking, and we’re so hurt, because we knew he had more to give.” When I heard the news, Monday while working on the newspaper, I couldn’t believe it. I went to high school with Lew, I wont pretend like we were running buddies, but I did know him from school, I don’t even know if he even knew my name but he treated me like he knew me. He graduated a year before I did, and I caught ever game I could. The news of his sudden death rocked everyone in Mount Vernon, despite the fact it had been over three decades since he last played here. There was a large outporing of love for Lew on Facebook from friends and former classmates in Mount Vernon. Many expressing their disbelief, sharing memories of Lew and offering condolences for the family. “He’s in the Mount Vernon family, so everyone’s hurting today,” longtime Mount Vernon basketball coach Bob Cimmino said. “He just made everybody smile. He was always smiling. When he came to the gym, he knew everybody by name, and he reacted so well with everybody. It’s kind of like that friend that you don’t see for a long period of time and then they show up, and it’s as if he didn’t miss a beat.” Classmate Joefrey Garder (MVHS Class of 84), described Lew as, “a smooth operator on the court,” when we spoke about Lew’s passing, Monday night. The Mount Vernon native, who recently battled COVID-19, had previous medical issues and was set to step away for the remainder of the season before his death hours after coaching his last game on Saturday, Febraury 4th. according to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman. As a player, Hill was an all-state standout at Mount Vernon High School before graduating in 1983. “He was big man on campus,” Cimmino said of the 6-foot-5 Hill. “He had the Mount Vernon flavor. He enjoyed basketball and people came to watch. Back then, the TV show that was big was Hill Street Blues, and there used to be signs up all over the gym equating that we had our own version right here — this is the real Hill Street right here.” Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard who also went to school with Lew says, “this hits differently! We are losing too many or our comptemparies back to back.” She was an avid basketball fan and went to every game. She still attends as many Mount Vernon Knights games as she can. “I was shocked and terribly saddened to hear of Lew’s death. Covid has robbed the lives of so many and as a contemporary his death hurts a lot,” Mayor SPH shared with Black Westchester. “As a Freshman at MVHS, I had the opportunity to witness Lew Hill’s dominance on the court. He was not only a great player but a stellar human being. A man of respect and passion he sewed into the lives of so many young people. His death will be felt throughout our community. We are praying for his family, friends and all of whom he impacted. He will forever be a part of the #KnightNation.” Many former teammates and classmates are devestated. “I just feel, Lew’s accomplishments were not showcased like they should have been,” Lew’s cousin Erik Conn shared with Black Westchester. “He was bigger than a celebrity. He was real life. What he accomplished was amazing. RIP Lew!!!” Chris Lowe agrees Lew beat the odds, “He’s not here anymore, and it hurts everybody, but that guy’s a legend,” Lowe said. “He made it from the south side of Mount Vernon to become a Division I head coach. A black head coach at a Division I school. He beat the odds.” “A “Knight” is a person who earned the honor of knighthood for how they represented themselves through their service,” Mt. Vernon HS Boys Basketball Assoc. Head Coach Dwayne Murray wrote on Facebook. “Lew Hill repped Mt. Vernon well. Will miss hearing you say “Mt. Vernon in da house” on the EYBL circuit. Rest well, Coach! #blessings #GoneTooSoon” Former NBA Player and former Executive Director at Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon, Lowes Moore was a Big brother figure to Lew. Lew ran with his younger brothers. When we spoke on the phone Lowes was broken up about Lew’s death like many others in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Basketball
is like a community, but you could tell in his voice, it was more than that for Lowes. It felt like losing one of his younger brothers. “Lew had alway hung out with my brothers,” Lowes Moore shared with Black Westchester. “My first year in the league, I always knew Lew, he always had a wise crack, always playing jokes, he used to come up with words, he was always saying funny stuff and next thing you know people would be quoting what he said. He would always be over my moms house, so everytime I came home to visit, he was always there. Then he hung out when I would work out my brothers, he worked out with me, he was always there working on his game. We remained close friends, I watched his career as he went to MVHS and did his thing, he was a prolific scorer and he understood the game real well. Went on to get a scholarship to Wichita State and had a wonderful career there, had some injuries and went overseas and then came back and started getting into the coaching ranks... Yeah man, just a wonderful human being, just the nicest guy man, I mean it hurt me real bad, when my brother called me and said just before the superbowl, I got some bad news and he told me, I was like one of my brothers, one of my little brothers had died, it hurt me man, messed me up. I can only feel for his son and his family... He was really just starting to make his mark as one of the top coaches in th NCAA.” Rick Stanley who is the Assistant Principal of MVHS now, grew up and played ball with Lew. He shared a few memories of Lew with Black Westchester, “Lew is one of those guys, he is what he is and what I could say about him wouldnt even amount to who he really is. He is who he is, he says what he is going to do, and he does it. He was in the Black Culture Coalition, he believed in let me go get this Black guy. Not just because he’s Black, he had to be qualified, but it helps being Black. He wanted to take them, wanted to help them and let them be the pathway and pay it forward to the next one, that was Lew.” I know people always say and write good things about people after the die, but the love for Lew was real and the love for Lew was not limited to his hometown of Mount Vernon. Lew left his mark on College Basketball world as well. “Our world has lost a special person with the passing of Lew Hill,” Sooners coach Lon Kruger said in a statement. “A terrific basketball coach and a much better husband, father and friend. Lew represented the best of all we could want in our leaders and anyone working with young people in any walk. All who knew Lew are comforted by the many wonderful and loving memories. We are heartbroken for Renee, L.J. and Elle. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lew’s entire family.” After Mount Vernon, he played two years at San Jacinto College, a junior college in Texas, and won the NJCAA Division I championship in 1984. He transferred to Wichita State in 1985 and became was a key player for the Shockers. He hoped to play in the NBA, but a bad car accident in Germany derailed his playing career. Hill opted for the coaching route instead. At Texas-Rio Grande Valley, he had turned around a Vaqueros program that only had four winning seasons since 1990. In 2019, his third season as head coach, the Vaqueros finished 20-17 overall and 9-7 in conference play, their best record in over a decade. This season, the Vaqueros were 8-4 and preseason favorites to win the Western Atlantic Conference prior to Hill’s passing. Hill is survived by his wife and their two children, a son and a daughter, as well as three more daughters. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, fans, classmates, teammates and all who loved Lew. Dues to the deadline to get the newspaper out, I didnt recieve the news until Monday afternoon, two days before the paper had to go to the printer. I wanted to reach out to so many more of his teammates and those who loved Lew. Then in one of my conversations, I remembered something my mother always told me, ‘give me my flowers while I’m alive to see and smell them. It made me think of all the people we had on the show and did spotlights on in the newspaper and on the website, I never scheduled an interview with Lew. His death, although like I said we didnt exactly hang out together puts things in perspective for you. He was just a few months older than me and in much better shape, no one is promisied tomorrow. I always say I try to do every show like its my first and like its my last. My first because even though we have done almost 300 shows, someone is always listening for the first time and like my last because again no one is promised tomorrow. So as we celebrate Lew Hill, let’s remember to live our life to the fullest in everything we do because I am quite sure when Lew coached his last game Saturday night, he had no idea that would be his last game. While this page isnt big enough to capture the life of Lew Hill or all the people that loved him and that he touched, I had to save this page for him when I heard the news. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten, R.I.P. LEW!!!
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8 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
WESTCHESTER COUNTY POLICE REFORM AND REIMAGINING TASK FORCE ISSUES REPORT & RECOMMENDATIONS TASK FORCE FORMED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER, MADE UP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, ATTORNEYS AND KEY COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, SEEK TO IMPLEMENT POSITIVE REFORM REPORT NOW GOES TO BOARD OF LEGISLATORS FOR APPROVAL
Westchester County Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force of 38 people compiled a report containing recommendations to modernize and create transparency and equity in Westchester County’s law enforcement agencies, Tuesday, February 9th. Following a historic year shining the light on long standing injustices in our nation, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced the formation of the Westchester County Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force in early June. After seven months of intensive collaboration his task force is now issuing the report required by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order 203. “What we saw this past year, similar to what I lived through as a young man in the 1960s, was a breaking point in our society,” County Executive George Latimer shared. “It is on us in government to now act. It became clearer than ever – following the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many others – that real reform must occur. It also must occur with all stakeholders at the table. I believe this task force has done admirable work toward that goal and I thank them all for their service. The County Department of Public Safety has already instituted multiple policies – such as police body cams – and we will work to do more.” The task force, chaired by prominent Westchester residents Mayo Bartlett, Esq. and Leroy Frazer, Esq, was comprised of County and local Law Enforcement professionals, clergy representatives, criminal justice and police reform advocates, human rights professionals, and public servants to develop a blueprint for new policing strategies and to highlight policies currently in place by the Westchester County Department of Public Safety (WCDPS). The task force formed six working groups: Community Engagement, Qualification & Recruitment, Training and Equipment, Policies & Procedures, and Accountability and Transparency. Following its extensive work - which included public hearings, countless work sessions and insightful discussion on the serious issues at hand – the task force released a report organized in three main sections: 1) Background and structure of this task force; 2) Reports detailing the work, process, recommendations and overall findings; and 3) a description of the fifty-one recommendations organized based on the level of government to which they must be referred for action - opportunities for administrative action by the County Executive, recommendations for the County’s Board of Legislators, and recommendations for action by New York State. “It has been a pleasure working with the members of the Westchester County Task Force,” Bartlett shared. “We engaged in open and honest dialog concerning police reform, as well as the effort to reimagine what we believe the policing profession should be. We were fortunate to have the full support of County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, and many members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators. We were also appreciative to have had true partners from the County’s law enforcement community, who provided us with their ideas concerning the challenges faced by law enforcement as well as some of the success that we were sometimes not aware of. It is my sincere opinion that all of the members of the Task Force were interested in implementing best practices, and strengthening the relationship between police and the community. Perhaps most impressive was the thoughtful and considerate manner with which the work of the Task Force was conducted. While I believe we have been successful in identifying areas where WCDPS may improve, we also reached the determination that our work will not be complete following our report. For that reason, it is clear to me that we must continually review models of policing to ensure that law enforcement may properly serve the community.” Frazer said: “The recommendations contained in this report represent countless hours of research and hard work by dedicated individuals seeking to bridge the gap between the community and police while maintaining public safety. It is my fervent desire that readers will see the excellent policies and procedures that our County police have
in place and envision acceptable ways of insuring transparency and accountability.” Westchester County Department of Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Gleason said: “I would like to thank the members of the Committee for their hard work over the last six months. I look forward to receiving the final report and reviewing its recommendations for our Department and the broader law enforcement community.” The fifty-one recommendations originated from the six working groups created within the Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force. Thirty of the thirty-eight members of the Task Force formally voted on each of these recommendations at their January 12, 2021 meeting.
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
To see the entire statement, watch video of press conference and for information on the Task Force visit the Westchester County Website, https://www.westchestergov.com/adhoc-advisory-boards/police-reform-task-force.
THE MANY FACES OF TRUMP
COLLINS-BELLAMY ATTEMPTS TO MAKE HISTORY AS 1ST AFRICAN AMERICAN & WOMAN OF COLOR TO BE ELECTED YONKERS CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT YONKERS - Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, Esq. announced her candidacy for the Yonkers City Council President, Monday, January 28th. On the heels of an historic election year, New York attorney Collins-Bellamy has joined the race attempting to make history as the first African American and Woman of Color to be elected President of the Yonkers City Council. “I’m proud to share my vision that represents the heart of the city of Yonkers — our people,” said Collins-Bellamy, a life-long Yonkers resident, Democrat and graduate from Yonkers Public Schools, who is raising a family in her hometown. “I love my city, and we deserve leadership that meets the various needs of our city’s residents. We need diversity in the city’s workforce, an increase in affordable housing opportunities, quality education, and improved public safety measures — during and after COVID-19. As the City Council President, I will collaborate with local government officials and city agencies to build bridges and partnerships in an effort to develop a stronger Yonkers for all.” Collins-Bellamy brings her dedication and two decades of public service experience to aid in her efforts to become the next Yonkers City Council President. She serves as Legal Counsel with the Municipal Housing Authority of Yonkers (MHACY). In June 2020, Collins-Bellamy was appointed as a member of the Yonkers Board of Education Trustees. As a member of the Yonkers Police Reform Committee, CollinsBellamy joins local community members, law enforcement,
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BLACK WESTCHESTER 9
THE BROY – BLACK RENAISSANCE OF YONKERS
BY BY DENNIS RICHMOND, JR., M.S.ED.
During the 1920s, a Black cultural phenomenon filled with art, music, activism, literature, and self-awareness
The Connector: Founder of the Stop & Shake Initiative, Hector Santiago (@PeoplesMayor), is one of the leading activists in Yonkers. Yonkers Voice described the initiative as one that “encourages members of the police department to avoid miscommunication with [the] community by reaching out and introducing themselves through a common greeting.” When asked who he is, without hesitation, Hector says, “before anything, I’m a dad. I’m a dad who became active for my kids.” Santiago is “a mediator and a consultant for the Yonkers community.”
took place in New York. This beautiful event in history has come to be known as the Harlem Renaissance. Augusta Savage, A. Philip Randolph, Dorothy Dandridge, and Arturo Schomburg represented Black Brilliance during the 1920s. A century later, activists Mariah Cameron, Shanequa Benitez, Hector Santiago, and Jonathan Alvarez define a new renaissance. One that I call, The BROY: The Black Renaissance of Yonkers. The Singer: She’s a triple threat. She sings, dances, and she acts. Mariah Cameron (@M.E_Cameron) is AfroLatinx, Queer, and Non-Binary. When she’s not singing or filming, she passionately works around equity, specifically through environmentalism. She’s a business owner who runs Trash Treasure Chest, a thrift and repair jewelry shop. Through her business, she’s “actively seeking not to throw people away.” She told me, “just like I’m not trying to throw the jewelry away; I’m not trying to throw the people away.” She’s also currently co leading Yonkers Assembled.
Among the recommendations: Reviewing Westchester County Dept of Public Safety (WCDPS)’s use of social media, Making WCDPS’s homepage available in multiple languages, Design and add a series of questions regarding an officer’s interaction with the community they serve when considering promotions and/or annual evaluations. Conduct joint de-escalation (also known as verbal judo) training with the Dept of Correction. WCDPS should explore national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies’ (CALEA) Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Implement Policies to Educate the Public on Police Values, Principles, and Operations. Make non-confidential documents and other data, which will allow the public to assess the fairness of civilian police interactions, readily available to the public. Enhance Officer Training – extension of leadership training to second and third line supervisors on an annual basis. Increase training hours for the County Police Academy’s Basic Training Course for police officers to include one week devoted to Procedural Justice, Cultural Diversity, and Bias Related Crimes and Incidents, Implement Project ABLE (Active ‘Bystandership’ for Law Enforcement), Identify liaison officers at each municipal police department who are trained to respond to hate incidents, Enhance the County’s already successful Police and Community Together (PACT) community engagement program and make it available as a model for other communities, Establish an Open Disciplinary Process, Pass County laws to create the Office for Police Accountability (OPA) to investigate allegations of misconduct by WCDPS officers, Expand the use of specialized teams to respond to mental health calls County-wide and explore additional co-response initiatives, Expanding age range for police officers, Create and implement a County-wide electronic database for Mental Health Behavioral cases and special needs populations. Establish a shared Body Work Camera (BWC) database through shared services. Update Section 273.01(3) of the County Public Safety Law in reference to hate crimes. DCJS Certification/Licensure Overhaul Provide for legislation requiring municipal indemnification by officers guilty of reckless and willful misconduct.
THE 2021 BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERIES
Advice: “You are here for a purpose… no matter who tries to tell you otherThe Artist: You’ve probably seen her artwork somewhere across the country. Inspired by her father and many other artists, Shanequa Benitez (@ SocialIcon) has had her artwork displayed everywhere from Yonkers to Harlem. A person of color who wears her city on her back, Shanequa proudly told me, “I am Yonkers.” She represents Yonkers, and the town represents her. Her Yonkers representation was evident during her Art Exhibition Never Conform, a smash hit in the city. Despite her successes through art and her self-made clothing brand, Shanequa told me that she’s “only scratched the surface” with her work.
Advice: “Save money and learn as much as possible.” The Mentor: He’s a youth advocate and a motivational speaker. Founder and Director of 914United, Jonathan Alvarez (@Visiona1re), is making a name for himself by mentoring young adults across Yonkers. Jonathan changed his life, so he could help change the lives of others. In an interview with me, he said that he wants to “help steer our youth into a promising future.” Jonathan’s thriving to create a full-on youth mentorship organization that supports those returning home from incarceration, amongst other things. Advice: “Learn financial literacy to secure financial freedom.” BW Guest Columnist Dennis Richmond, Jr., M.S.Ed. is a Freelance Journalist and author of “He Spoke at My School: An Educational Journey.” He is also the Founder and Director of the NYNJ HBCU Initiative and as well as the founder of the Dennis E. Richmond Jr. Scholarship for Black Excellence. His byline also appears in The Yonkers Rising. Born in Yonkers, New York, on February 11th, 1995, Mr. Richmond is a graduate of Claflin University and Sarah Lawrence College. When he is not helping students with the college process, he works as a substitute teacher in Yonkers, who goes by the name of Mr. R. The New York-New Jersey HBCU Initiative prepares students throughout New York and New Jersey by exposing them to educational opportunities only found at #HBCUs.
Advice: “Be confident and be proud of who you are.”
TRACING MY FAMILY BACK OVER 400 YEARS IN NY AND CT
BY BY DENNIS RICHMOND, JR., M.S.ED.
After close to thirteen
years of researching my family history, I have made remarkable discoveries. I know for a fact that on my father’s side of the family, my ancestors have been in New York and Connecticut for well over 400 years. I’m proud to say that I can place my ancestors in every period in American history. I’m excited to share some of what I learned. My name is Dennis Richmond, Jr., and I was born in Yonkers. My parents are both baby boomers. My grandmother, Joyce Watkins, was a Depression Era baby who came of age during the Eisenhower administration. She was a teenager when the movie Singin’ in The Rain was released. My great grandmother, Adele Matilda Merritt, was a child of the Progressive Era. She married the love of her life, Thomas Sinclair Watkins, Sr. in New Rochelle, NY, in 1934. The year 2021 is significant in my family because it marks the 100th anniversary of my 2nd great grandfather, John Sherman Merritt’s death. Grandpa John worked four jobs and died of exhaustion at just 31-years-old in 1921. He’s buried in Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich. The year 2021 is significant because it also marks the 200th anniversary of my 4th great grandfather, Abraham Merritt’s birth. He was born c.1821 and baptized at Second Congregational Church in Greenwich in 1831. Grandpa Abraham became a prominent landowner in the town. He owned 40 acres of
of land in 1880 when Greenwich had a population of fewer than 8,000 people. Grandpa Abraham’s wife, my 3rd great grandmother, Huldah Peck Merritt (1833-1914), is buried in the African American Cemetery on North Street in Rye, NY. Grandpa Edward is buried there too. My family tree goes from my great grandmother Adele (1913-1977) to her father John (1889-1921), his father Edward (1871-1901), his father Abraham (1821-1880), his father Charles (1791-c.1860), and his mother Margaret “Peg” (c.1770-c.1829). Grandma Margaret, born c.1770, is my 6th great grandmother. Margaret was born in Colonial Connecticut, and DNA links me to the Lyon family. It blows my mind to know that I can name colonial ancestors. Through my ancestor Margaret “Peg,” it’s likely that I’m descended from Thomas Lyon (c.1621-1690), one of the earliest settlers of Fairfield County, Connecticut. Margaret “Peg” was a toddler during the American Revolution. She was around three years old during the Boston Tea Party and six years old when the Declaration of Independence was signed. When America received her freedom in 1776, Margaret and thousands of other Africans and Indigenous People were still enslaved. On July 7th, 1790, Margaret was sold from Daniel Lyon, her “owner,” to Nathan Merritt, Jr. She was sold, “in consideration of the sum of fifty pounds New York money.” When Margaret was sold, she was around 19 or 20-years-old, and George Washington was president of the United States. As a young enslaved Black woman to Nathan, Grandma Margaret gave birth to two sons, Grandpa Charles and Uncle Jack. Uncle Jack was born on Valentine’s Day in 1793. Grandpa Charles took the surname Merritt, and DNA links me to the Merritt family. I have bi-racial and tri-racial ancestors. Sometime around c.1794, Margaret was sold from Nathan Merritt back to the Lyon family. Her new “owner” was Benjamin Woolsey Lyon. Margaret “Peg” had at least three slave owners by the time she was around twenty-four years old. Benjamin freed Grandma Margaret on April 12th, 1800. She spent the rest of her years with a former slave named Anthony “Tone” and the rest of her family. History isn’t some magical thing that happened years ago. We carry history with us every day, and I’m happy to know some of mine.
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Opportunity – Marketing The Wall Street Journal called WVOX and WVIP "America's Great Community Stations!" And now as the last remaining, true community stations in Westchester ... we're adding to our Marketing and Advertising Departments with Immediate Openings for highly-motivated and dynamic Advertising Account Executives ... perfect opportunities for personable, confident and articulate individuals who know and love Westchester as we do ... where you make your own hours ... as a full or part time Advertising and Marketing Executive. Call our station President David O'Shaughnessy and come in for a tour of our modern studios in New Rochelle. Hudson Westchester Radio Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. David O’Shaughnessy 914-636-1460 David@WVOX.com
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CHARTER SCHOOL OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE A FREE REGIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Visit our website at www.charterschoolofeducationalexcellence.org to download the application Kindergarten to 9th Grade
We welcome English Language Learners and Special Education Students
260 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10701 914-476-5070 Designated as a REWARD SCHOOL FOR 2014-2018 by the New York State Department of Education
We are accepting new student applications for Grades K-9
Estamos aceptando solicitudes para los grados K-9
INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS: November 18, 2020 9:00am December 9, 2020 2:00pm January 6, 2021 9:00am January 27, 2021 4:30pm February 10, 2021 4:30pm March 3, 2021 9:00am March 17, 2021 5:00pm
SESIONES INFORMATIVAS: noviembre 18, 2020 a las 9:00 am diciembre 9, 2020 a las 2:00 pm enero 6, 2021 a las 9:00 am enero 27, 2021 a las 4:30 pm febrero 10, 2021 a las 4:30 pm marzo 3, 2021 a las 9:00 am marzo 17, 2021e a las 5:00 pm
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 29, 2021 4:00pm LOTTERY DATE: April 7, 2021 9:00am
Fecha límite para entregar las solicitudes es marzo 29, 2021 a las 4:00 pm El sorteo de lotería se llevará a cabo en abril 7, 2021 a las 9:00 am
For an application or more information please call 914-476-5070 Ext. 4
Para obtener informacion llame al 914-476-5070 Ext. 4
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CELEBRATING CICELY TYSON
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
COVER STORIES BW COVER STORY
CELEBRATING CICELY TYSON
THE EPITOME OF BLACK EXCELLENCE BY AJ WOODSON
In a remarkable career that spanned seven decades, Ms. Tyson was the epitome of Black excellence, proving you could refuse to take parts that demeaned Black people and still be very successful. She was known for her portrayal of strong Black women as she broke ground for serious African-American actors, appearing in more than 100 film, television and stage roles, including some that had traditionally been given only to white actors. She was an examples for generations of Black Actors that you do not have to sell you soul for success. Despite her refusal to be coontastic, shuck and jive to be relevant or portray unsavory depictions of black life, she won three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Black Reel Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, one Tony Award, an honorary Academy Award and a Peabody Award in a career of seven decades. I repeat Ms. Tyson was the epitome of Black excellence. While she wasn’t steadily onscreen because of her loyalty to only portray strong, positive images of Black women, she is without a doubt one of the most talented, beautiful actresses to have ever graced the stage and screen. From her sensational performance in the critically acclaimed film Sounder (1972) that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress to portray a 110-year-old former slave in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974), which earned her two Emmy Awards, to her role in Roots, to recurring role on How to Get Away With Murder ’s six seasons as Ophelia Harkness, mother of Viola Davis’ Annalise Keating to her portrayal as Aunt Myrtle in Medea’s Family Reunion, she picked roles that were powerful, purposeful and principled.
a Mad Black Woman as well as Why Did I Get Married?, Madea’s Family Reunion and Why Did I Get Married Too? “I was sitting at the table working when I got this overwhelming feeling to watch Miss Jane Pittman. I hadn’t seen the movie in years. I didn’t even understand the feeling to turn it on, but I did anyway,” Perry wrote on Instagram. “Not 12 minutes into the movie my phone rang. It was Oprah calling to tell me that Cicely had died. This one brought me to my knees! She was the grandmother I never had and the wisdom tree that I could always sit under to fill my cup.”
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ACADEMY AWARDS, USA 2019 Winner - Honorary Award 1973 Nominee - Oscar - Best Actress in a Leading Role, Sounder (1972)
Everything You need
GOLDEN GLOBES, USA 1973 Nominee - Golden Globe - Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama Sounder PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS 2020 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) “Ophelia Harkness”. Episode: “Stay”. 2019 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) - For playing: “Ophelia Harkness”. For episode “Where Are Your Parents?”. 2018 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) - For playing “Ophelia Harkness”. For episode “I’m Going Away” 2017 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) As Ophelia Harkness in How to Get Away with Murder: Go Cry Somewhere Else (2017) 2015 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) For playing “Ophelia Hartness”. 2014 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, The Trip to Bountiful (2014) For playing “Carrie Watts”. Outstanding Television Movie The Trip to Bountiful (2014) Shared with: Bill Haber (executive producer), Jeffrey M. Hayes (exec producer), Hallie Foote (executive producer) 2009 Nominee Primetime Emmy -Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, Relative Stranger (2009) For playing: “Pearl”. 1999 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, A Lesson Before Dying (1999) For playing: “Tante Lou”. 1995 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Sweet Justice (1994) For playing “Carrie Grace Battle”. 1994 Winner Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All (1994) For playing “Castalia”. 1982 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special, The Marva Collins Story (1981) For playing “Marva Collins”. 1978 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series King (1978) For playing: “Coretta Scott King”. 1977 Nominee Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series Roots (1977) For playing “Binta”. For episode: “Part I”. 1974 Winner Primetime Emmy - Best Lead Actress in a Drama The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) For playing: “Jane Pittman”. Actress of the Year - Special, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)
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IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH
BAFTA AWARDS 1975 Nominee BAFTA Film Award - Best Actress The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) ACAPULCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL 1998 Nominee Black Film Award - Best Actress in Hoodlum (1997) AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA) 2012 Winner Special Achievement Award
Who can forget Aunt Myrtle strong plea to her family; “Do you know who you are. What happened to the pride and the dignity and the love and respect that we had for one another. Where did it go. And how, How do we get it back. I’ma tell you. Young Black men, take your place. We need you. Your sons and daughters need you. Did you understand what I just said. You were sold off and had no choice, yes but now it’s time to stay. Take your place. Now. Starting now. Starting now. Young black women, you are more than your thighs and your hips. You are beautiful, strong, powerful. I want more from you. Take your place. I want every single one of you, young man, young woman, turn to the next person standing alongside of you. Grab them and hug them and tell them that you love ‘em. Tell them, ‘If you need anything, come to me.’ ‘If you need somebody to talk to, come to me.’ ‘I’ll give you the shoulder, I’ll give you the hug. I’ll feed you, I’ll clothe you if you need it. That’s how you start from this moment. When you leave this reunion today, you take that with you.” Tyson and Perry worked together on several films beginning with 2005’s Diary of a
Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine and, with her stunning looks, she quickly rose to the top of the modeling industry. In addition to her professional success, Tyson often made headlines for her relationship with jazz icon Miles Davis. The Daily News called the couple the “Jay-Z and Beyoncé of their time.” The late actress was married twice before her passing, having found love with ex-husbands Kenneth Franklin and Miles Davis. The Tony Award-winning performer was only 18 years old when she tied the knot with Franklin on December 27, 1942. Although Tyson and her first spouse initially had a strong connection, it appeared to fizzle out rather quickly. She later wed jazz legend Davis for seven years from 1981 to 1988 Tyson and Davis were married for only seven years, but their on-and-off relationship lasted decades. They began dating in the ‘60s, eventually getting married in the ‘80s. Vogue called Tyson and Davis the “King and Queen of Cool,” and described their relationship: “They were each other’s muses, in style and in art, with Tyson’s stunning profile covering Davis’ infamous album, Sorcerer.” Tyson was an inspiration who was also admired by some of the world’s biggest celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama. Cicely Tyson’s death comes days after her memoir was released. Cicely Tyson’s new book cuts into her tree of life – and the legendary actress showcases the rings of her seven-decade long career in her first memoir, “Just As I Am.” It would also turn out to be her last memoir: Just two days after the book’s publication, Tyson died Thursday, January 28 at 96. The book she left behind is a parting gift to readers and chronicles an incredible life, lived fully. Black Westchester celebrates the life of Cicely Tyson who was truly the epitome of Black Execellence.
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AWARDS CIRCUIT COMMUNITY AWARDS 2011 Winner ACCA - Best Cast Ensemble in The Help (2011) Shared with: Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O’Reilly, Sissy Spacek, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Mary Steenburgen, Mike Vogel BET COMEDY AWARDS 2005 Nominee - BET Comedy Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film for Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) BLACK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS 2011 Winner BFCC Award - Best Ensemble in The Help (2011) Shared with: Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney Chris Lowell, Ahna O’Reilly, Sissy Spacek, Octavia Spencer, Mary Steenburgen, Emma Stone, Mike Vogel BLACK MOVIE AWARDS 2005 Nominee Black Movie Award - Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) BLACK REEL AWARDS 2018 Winner Lifetime Achievement Award - Sidney Poitier Life Achievement Award 2015 Winner Black Reel - Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series The Trip to Bountiful (2014) Shared with: Bill Haber, Hallie Foote, Jeffrey M. Hayes, Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series - The Trip to Bountiful (2014) 2003 Winner Black Reel - Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actress The Rosa Parks Story (2002) (continues of page 21)
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DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE LOTTERY IS FEBRUARY 17, 2021 Lottery to be held March 2, 2021 at 5:00 pm Lottery Location: TBD Public Location
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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1 Person: 2 People: 3 People: 4 People: Feb 6 - Mar 5: Exhibit Ossining Black History & Culture: RESILIENCE. DEDICATION. EXCELLENCE. Feb 6: Exhibit Opening w/Curator, Joyce Sharrock Cole, Ossining Village Historian Feb 13: The Untold Story of the beginning of Ossining Hip Hop Culture Feb 19: Art History - The Harlem Renaissance - A Golden Age Feb 20: An Evening of Music and Talk with Ted Daniel Feb 21: Artist Talk with Diana “Princess” Lemon Feb 27: An Evening of Music with KJ Denhert
With Thanks and Acknowledgement, Black History Month programs at Bethany Arts Community are supported by Cravin Jamaican and Ossining Innovates!
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THREE YEARS AND COUNTING
BLACK WESTCHESTER19
A DEMOCRAT IS PRESIDENT ONCE AGAIN, BUT ARE YOU STILL WITH US?
BY REHAN SABRI
The month is February 2021 – Black History Month – and Donald Trump is nowhere to be found, banished from the public eye and the dark realms of the internet. Joe Biden sits in the Oval Office – and he is accompanied by the first Black woman Vice President in American history, Kamala Harris. Democrats are once again in control – not of just the white house – but all three branches of government. And now, social media is seemingly getting less-and-less contentious by the day. And yes, there is still the Trump-diehards, posting their latest conspiracy theories and relentlessly continuing to troll any-and-everybody who does not align with their beliefs on the events of the past election and what transpired at the Capitol.
But putting them aside for a moment, there are many who are beginning to put their once steadfast performative activism to rest – posting less about politics and social justice – and instead, feeding their followers with more “fun” consumable content, much of which made Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook so popular to begin with: the latest fashion, music, celebrity gossip, personal accomplishments, and etc.
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% Or maybe the events at Ferguson?
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You know, the way their timelines use to flow before 2016. And why? Because for them, they did it – finally got Trump out of office, posted their black boxes during the summer, got their likes from their performative activism posts, and most importantly–they feel that they validated themselves.
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Time to go back to the “good old days,” they say. And how could you blame them for making that statement? Even Joe Biden publicly said himself – “America is back.” Notice this shift on social media–and then take a quick glance outside–and we notice: there is few to any protests on the streets, less Black Lives Matter signs on apartment windows, fewer pro-athletes taking a knee during the anthem, and that once popular “Defund the Police” messaging has now almost been completely forgotten about. For some, there is just simply no immediate need to speak out anymore. The Democrats got this – “we’re good now.” And while that all would be nice to imagine; it is just simply not the reality we live in. We were never “good.” And the oppression of Black and Brown people was never just some trendy hashtag for you to build capital on. Unlike some Americans, Black and Brown people are not awarded the privilege of just “putting their feet up,” and “moving on.” Their struggle for survival in America continues to be very real–even with Donald Trump out of office. Take for example 2008 and 2012, we had both a Black and Democratic President, in office for two full terms, but yet, police violence still continued to ravish the streets. Do the names Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner ring a bell?
This all took place while Barack Obama served as Commander In Chief. So, understand, police brutality and white supremacy will not just magically disappear just because Trump is gone, and Biden is our new president. And that is because these very issues never started with the Trump presidency; people just started paying attention and learning about how deeply rooted in America they are–when Trump attempted to normalize 21st century racism. So no, sorry friends–it is not time for us to take our foot off the gas. Instead, it is time for us to push for a bolder, more aggressive agenda to combat these century-long crises. And this time if we don’t deliver–we won’t have Trump to blame. Only ourselves. We have an American-born responsibility to fight for equality; not just when Donald Trump – a white supremacist is in office, and we have our backs up against the wall. But right now, while we have an ally in office. Because what we do today–at this very moment–will determine the world that our children and children’s children live in. Do we want to give them a world where a Trump 2.0 reigns as President? Or do we want to leave them with a fairer and more just America? We have the power to decide–exactly that. We are almost a month in now, we cannot let the Biden-Harris inauguration-honeymoon compromise our efforts. It was a great accomplishment getting Trump out. And we celebrated that. But it is time now that we all get back to work – we have so much more work to do.
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THREE YEARS STRONG AND COUNTING
AGE 17 OR YOUNGER- 5.15% 18-20 - 1.03% 21-29 - 4.12% 30-39 - 6.19% 40-49 - 31.96% 50-59 - 29.90% 60 OR OLDER - 21.65% EMPLOYMENT STATUS Employed, Working Full-Time- 46.24% Employed, Working Part-Time - 5.45% Self Employed - 15.05% Unemployed - 5.38% Retired - 18.28% Disabled, Unable To Work - 8.60% RELATIONSHIP STATUS Married- 33.68% Widowed - 3.16% Divorce - 14.74% Separated - 1.05% Domestic Partner or Civil Union - 2.11% Single but Cohabiting - 8.42% Single, Never Married - 36.84% HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION Graduated from High School- 9.72% GED - 2.78% Some College - 23.61% Graduated College - 37.50% Some Graduate School - 8.33% Completed Graduate School - 18.06% POLITICAL AFFILIATION Republican- 5.26% Democrat - 50.53% Independent - 25.26% Something Else - 18.95%
About Black Westchester: BlackWestchester.com is a magazine (website) and print newspaper for people of color for Westchester and the Tri-State area of New York at every economic level. Black Westchester is committed to being a platform to profile life, culture, economics, politics, sports and entertainment and those who are representing vision in these marketplaces and who can both encourage and provide role models to other men and women. Black Westchester, through its online magazine, print newspaper, weekly talk radio show, and editorial content, will be a vessel of community information throughout Westchester and the Tri-State area of New York. Our mission is to promote the concept of “community” through media. The Black Westchester Newspaper is a monthly newspaper, 10,000 distributed monthly throughout Westchester and Surrounding areas with a heavy concentration in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Yonkers, Elmsford, White Plains, Greenburgh, Peekskill, Tarrytown, NE Bronx, Harlem, Stamford, CT with a slightly smaller presence elsewhere in the county and surrounding areas. Black Westchester is the best vehicle to reach communities of color throughout the county, but not limited to just communities of color, we have a large non-African-American readership as well. Black Westchester and the People Before Politics Radio Show started in July and August of 2014 respectively and the print edition started on our three year anniversary in August 2017. In such a small amount of time, Black Westchester has heavily influenced the county, public policy, and the elected officials while informing the public in a way that was missing, filling a necessary void.
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 the 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.
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20 BLACK WESTCHESTER
REAL TALK FOR THE COMMUNITY
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
BLACK HISTORY MONTH BY JAMES A. JOHNSON ©2019
“THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG, BUT BENDS TOWARDS JUSTICE” DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
the 21st Race is still a problem in Century manifested
economically, socially, educationally and in many other ways. America’s long history of racial injustice has produced substantial differences between black and white students in most measures of educational potential and performance. Diversity inside higher education does not represent a national consensus. The use of race as a factor in college admissions is waning. The fact is that being “black” in America places one at a substantial, disadvantage in one’s life prospects. This is contrary to any basic notion of equality of opportunity or equal life chances. The disadvantage of African Americans is a legacy of explicit racism and discriminatory policies. Affirmative action is necessary because the negative effects of racism persist that effects minorities daily in their personal and professional life.
THE AMERICAN DREAM With the election of President Obama in 2009 black millennials were encouraged in the belief of the American dream. This belief is based on that hard work will provide a seat at the table. But, the envisioned path of upward mobility is proving impassable. Persons of color are still grappling with the enduring legacy of institutional racism and systemic discrimination. Elite and ordinary whites have racially framed and organized American society to prevent access to real liberty and socioeconomic advancement for people of color. From the beginning, affluent white men have constituted almost all the top positions including the White House. Consider the action that had to be taken by the U. S. Supreme Court that whites automatically enjoy at birth: 1938 Missouri ex rel Gaines v Canada - Missouri violated the 14th Amendment & required to admit Lloyd Gaines to the Univ. of Missouri Law School. 1948 Shelley v. Kraemer – prohibits racially restrictive housing covenants. 1948 Sipuel v. Oklahoma – challenged the segregation policies at the Univ. of Oklahoma. 1950 Sweat v. Painter - challenged the separate but equal doctrine of racial segregation. Heman Sweat was admitted to the University of Texas Law School. 1950 McLaurin v. Oklahoma - public institutions of higher learning could not provide different treatment to a student solely because of race. 1954 Brown v. Board of Education – segregation in public schools is inherently unequal. 1964 Civil Rights Act - ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination. 1965 Voting Rights Act - signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. 1967 Loving v. Virginia – laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional.
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
CICELY TYSON CONT FROM PAGE 15
The black experience in America in the face of egregious discrimination is based on a strong faith and hope. For example, the late Jake Gaither famed football coach at Florida A & M University had a newspaper article that he saved from a black newspaper published around America’s entry into World War I. It expresses unshakable faith, hope and patriotism that rings true to this very day: “We go to make the world safe for Democracy. We are going in spite of discrimination and prejudice, we are going in spite of mob violence, we are going in spite of Jim Crowism, we have no bitterness, no hate is surging in our breasts, even though these injustices cry out to high heaven, our faith is steadfast, our hearts beat true. It is our hope that out of this awful struggle a true Democracy will rear its altar giving out shining hope and promise to the black man in America, a real Democracy that knows no creed nor color… a Democracy which shall fold its protecting mantle about the shoulders of all men.”
In 1952 Gaither addressed the black workforce of a wood-pulp company:
“I want to talk to you not as Negroes but as American citizens who have a glorious past and a rich and fertile future in the development of this great country. This is your land. The country that you helped build and develop. The country that you must live and die to protect. You are somebody. You are an American. I love to think of my people fighting in the war of Revolution – giving birth to the greatest democracy the world has ever known. I like to think of my people following Teddy Roosevelt in the battle of San Juan Hill. I like to think of the part my people played in the War to Save the Union. I like to think how valiantly my people fought in the Argonne Forest of the First World War. I like to think of the courageous stand of my people in the Battle of the Bulge. I like to think of the glorious history the Negro has.” (Samuel G. Freeman, Breaking the Line, 2013 P.24-26) African-American history is America’s history. The very fabric of our country has been formed by the outstanding contributions of African-Americans in many fields. My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion some compassion, some humor and some style.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James A. Johnson is an accomplished trial lawyer and an active member of the Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas and Federal Court Bars. Jim concentrates on serious Personal Injury, Insurance Coverage, Sports & Entertainment Law and Federal Criminal Defense. He can be reached at www.JamesAJohnsonEsq.com
1968 Fair Housing Act – signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
MANIPULATION The above cases are only a small number of legal actions in which persons of color had to fight for to secure basic and fundamental rights. This white birthright of privilege exist from the cradle to the grave – not so for African Americans. A majority of ordinary whites have allowed themselves to be adeptly manipulated by the elite. Powerful whites have assisted ordinary whites in thinking that persons of color are the reasons for their socioeconomic problems. Even women are oppressed by white male elites. The social cost of systemic racism and sexism are great and deep. Racial and gender subordination creates diminished creativity, unfair competition, unjust enrichment and massive violations of fundamental human rights. Notwithstanding that African Americans have experienced unprecedented success individually, including the election and reelection of a black president of the United States, the Supreme Court has significantly slowed the pace of racial progress. Beginning with the school case Milliken v Bradley, the busing of public-school students across district lines and the Univ. of California v Bakke outlawing specific racial quotas in college admissions. My purpose in writing this article is to educate the reader on how America was built and operates. Education is still the key to upper mobility but education alone will not fully eliminate institutional racism and systemic discrimination.
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21
2000 Winner - Black Reel- Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actress A Lesson Before Dying (1999)
1972 Winner - KCFCC Award - Best Actress, Sounder (1972) Tied with Katharine Hepburn for The Trojan Women (1971).
BLACK REEL AWARDS FOR TELEVISION 2020 Winner - Black Reel- Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2019 Nominee - Black Reel- Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2018 Nominee - Black Reel - Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014)
LONE STAR FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS 1996 Winner - Lone Star Film & Television Award - Best TV Actress The Road to Galveston (1996)
CABLEACE AWARDS 1997 Nominee - CableACE- Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries Riot (1997) 1996 Nominee - CableACE - Actress in a Movie or Miniseries The Road to Galveston (1996) 1991 Winner - ACE - Actress in a Movie or Miniseries, Heat Wave (1990)
NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW, USA 2011 Winner - NBR Award - Best Acting by an Ensemble, The Help (2011) Shared with: Octavia Spencer, Allison Janney, Mary Steenburgen, Mike Vogel, Chris Lowell, Ahna O’Reilly, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Aunjanue Ellis, Sissy Spacek, 1972 Winner - NBR Award - Best Actress for Sounder (1972)
CENTRAL OHIO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION 2012 Nominee COFCA Award -Best Ensemble, The Help (2011) Shared with: Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Mike Vogel, Octavia Spencer, Ahna O’Reilly, Allison Janney Chris Lowell, Jessica Chastain, Aunjanue Ellis
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF FILM CRITICS AWARDS, USA 1972 Winner - NSFC Award - Best Actress for Sounder (1972)
CINEUPHORIA AWARDS - 2020 Winner CinEuphoria - Career - Honorary Award
BLACK EXPERIENCE
BLACK WESTCHESTER
CRITICS CHOICE TELEVISION AWARDS 2015 Nominee Critics’ Choice TV Award - Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series, How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2014 Nominee Critics’ Choice TV Award - Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries The Trip to Bountiful (2014) DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS 1982 Nominee Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Performer in Children’s Programming for The Body Human: Becoming a Woman (1981) ELLE WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD AWARDS 2017 Winner - Woman of the Year ESSENCE BLACK WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD - 2010 Winner - Honoree GOLD DERBY AWARDS 2020 Nominee Gold Derby TV Award - Drama Guest Actress How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2019 Nominee Gold Derby TV Award - Drama Guest Actress How to Get Away with Murder (2014) Nominee Gold Derby TV Award - Drama Guest Actress of the Decade How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2nd place 2018 Nominee Gold Derby TV Award - Drama Guest Actress How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2015 Nominee Gold Derby TV Award - Drama Guest Actress How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2014 Nominee Gold Derby TV Award - TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress The Trip to Bountiful (2014) 2012 Winner Gold Derby Award - Ensemble Cast for The Help (2011) Shared with: Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Nelsan Ellis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Sissy Spacek, Octavia Spencer, Mary Steenburgen, Emma Stone and Mike Vogel GRACIE ALLEN AWARDS - 2015 Winner - Lifetime Achievement Award
NAMIC VISION AWARDS 2010 Nominee - Vision Award - Best Performance- Drama Relative Stranger (2009)
NEVADA FILM CRITICS SOCIETY 2012 Winner - NFCS Award - Best Ensemble Cast, The Help (2011) Shared with: Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O’Reilly, Sissy Spacek, Octavia Spencer, Mary Steenburgen, Emma Stone and Mike Vogel NEW YORK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS 1973 Nominee - NYFCC Award Best Actress for Sounder (1972) NEW YORK WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION 1999 Winner - Muse Award ONLINE FILM & TELEVISION ASSOCIATION 2020 Winner - OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2019 - Nominee - OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2018 Nominee - OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2017 Nominee - OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2015 Winner OFTA TV Hall of Fame - Actors and Actresses 2014 Winner - OFTA Television Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries for The Trip to Bountiful (2014) 1998 Nominee - OFTA Television Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries for Ms. Scrooge (1997) PEABODY AWARDS 2020 - Winner - Career Achievement Award SATELLITE AWARDS 2014 Nominee - Satellite Award Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television for The Trip to Bountiful (2014) 2011 Winner - Special Achievement Award - Best Ensemble, Motion Picture, The Help (2011) Shared with: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O’Reilly, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Mike Vogel, Sissy Spacek, Aunjanue Ellis,Mary Steenburgen SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 2015 Nominee - Actor -Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for The Trip to Bountiful (2014) 2012 Winner - Actor -Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for The Help (2011) Shared with: Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O’Reilly, Sissy Spacek, Octavia Spencer, Mary Steenburgen, Emma Stone, Mike Vogel 1997 Nominee - Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for The Road to Galveston (1996) 1995 Nominee - Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All (1994) and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for Sweet Justice (1994)
IMAGE AWARDS (NAACP) 2017 Nominee - Image Award , Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2016 Nominee - Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, How to Get Away with Murder (2014) 2015 Winner - Image Award - Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special, The Trip to Bountiful (2014) 2012 Nominee - Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, The Help (2011) 2010 Nominee - Image Award -Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special, Relative Stranger (2009) 2006 Winner - Image Award- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) 2000 Nominee - Image Award - Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Miniseries/ Dramatic Special, A Lesson Before Dying (1999) 1999 Winner Image Award - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or MiniSeries, Mama Flora’s Family (1998) 1998 Nominee - Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Hoodlum (1997) 1997 Winner - Image Award - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or MiniSeries, The Road to Galveston (1996) 1996 Nominee - Image Award - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Sweet Justice (1994) 1988 Winner - Image Award -Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie, Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story (1986) 1982 Winner - Image Award - Best Performance by an Actress in a Dramatic Series or miniseries or Television Movie, The Marva Collins Story (1981) For playing “Marva Collins”. 1978 Winner - Image Award - Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ But a Sandwich (1978) 1977 Winner Image Award - Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture The River Niger (1976)
WOMEN’S IMAGE NETWORK AWARDS 2014 Nominee - WIN Award - Actress MFT Movie / Mini-Series for The Trip to Bountiful (2014)
KANSAS CITY FILM CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS
(see complete list of 49 wins and 52 nominations on BlackWestchester.com)
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THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS - 2015 Winner TV LAND AWARDS 2007 Winner - Anniversary Award - Roots (1977) Shared with: LeVar Burton, Louis Gossett Jr., Leslie Uggams, John Amos, Ben Vereen, Todd Bridges, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Georg Stanford Brown, Olivia Cole For its 30th anniversary. WALK OF FAME 1997 Winner - Star on the Walk of Fame - Motion Picture On 21 August 1997. At 7080 Hollywood Blvd. WOMEN FILM CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS 2011 Winner - WFCC Award - Women’s Work/Best Ensemble The Help (2011) Shared with: Aunjanue Ellis, Ahna O’Reilly, Octavia Spencer, Mary Steenburgen, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Viola Davis. 2011 Winner Lifetime Achievement Award WOMEN IN FILM CRYSTAL AWARDS 1982 Winner - Crystal Award
22 BLACK WESTCHESTER
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
WWW.BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
Mission
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
8 SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE SUFFERING FROM POOR GUT HEALTH AND HOW TO FIX IT BY DAMON K JONES
Poor gut health is a sign of poor overall
To be the Dependable Real Estate Broker and/or Property Manager that assists and educates in all important aspects of the processes so that your real estate dreams become reality.
Duane Penister
health. More correctly, if you have poor gut health, your overall health is suffering as a result. You have more bacteria cells in your gut than you have human cells in your entire body. If your gut is unhealthy, those bacteria are unhealthy, and you’re unhealthy by default. Poor gut health isn’t only caused by unhealthy bacteria, but they are a major cause. Consider that many autoimmune issues and irritable bowel syndrome are linked to an imbalance of healthy and unhealthy bacteria.
Sheila Penister Since your calories and nutrients pass through your gut before they become available to you, the health of your gut influences the health of every part of your body.
to digest. When you chew your food thoroughly, you increase the surface area your digestive juices can attack. This creates far less stress for your digestive system to deal with.
These issues are all related to poor gut health:
3. Eat a healthy diet. Eating unhealthy food is bad for every part of your body, including your gut. Maximize your health by eating the healthiest possible diet.
1. Addiction to simple carbohydrates. Sugar is so bad for your body. Eating simple sugars helps the bad bacteria in your gut to grow. And, what do those bacteria like to eat? That’s right, more sugar. If you have regular cravings for foods with high sugar content, it might be a sign of poor gut health.
5. Relax! Stress is hard on every part of your body, and that includes your gut. Minimizing the amount of stress in your life can do wonders for your overall health. Either remove your stress sources or learn how to relax despite the stress in your life.
3. Gastrointestinal distress. Diarrhea, bloating, constipation, gas, heartburn, or other gastrointestinal discomforts can be a sign of poor gut health. A healthy gut is able to process and eliminate waste with minimal difficulties. Regular gastrointestinal distress can be a sign of a serious issue.
6. Sleep. Your overall health, including your gut health, improves when you get enough sleep. Most people in our society could stand to get another hour or two of sleep each night. If you’re not getting at least seven hours each night, you need more sleep.
4. Fatigue. Fatigue is another common symptom found in those suffering from poor gut health. If you’re frequently tired without explanation, your gut may be to blame. 1. If you frequently suffer from fatigue, consider how much sleep you’ve been getting. If you’re getting plenty of sleep and you’re still tired, you might want to consider the possibility that your gut is to blame.
7. Reduce sugar intake. Many scientists consider sugar to be a toxin. It can be damaging to all the cells of your body. Artificial sweeteners aren’t a great substitute. Certain types of bad bacteria in your gut can consume various artificial sweeteners and become too prevalent in your body.
6. Autoimmune disorders. Numerous autoimmune disorders can either be caused by or exacerbated by poor gut health. The bad bacteria in your gut can travel around the body and create inflammation in various tissues and organs. This inflammation is a major cause of many diseases. Some medical experts believe this type of inflammation might be responsible for nearly all diseases. 7. Skin ailments. Skin difficulties, such as psoriasis, acne, eczema, and rosacea, can be caused by gut-related issues. Enhancing your gut health can often eliminate these annoying conditions.
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4. Adjust your fiber intake. While most people need to eat more fiber to have a healthier gut, few people would do well to eat less. The recommendation from the medical community is 25-35 grams per day.
2. Difficulty concentrating. A reduced ability to concentrate is a common complaint among those with poor gut health. It’s believed that the inflammation caused by poor gut health affects the brain’s ability to focus and block out excess stimuli.
5. Unexplained weight changes. It’s possible that poor gut health can lead to either weight gain or weight loss. If your diet and exercise are unchanged and your weight changes significantly, you might have an issue in your gut. Gut issues can affect your body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients.
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BLACK WESTCHESTER 23
8. Eat fermented foods. Fermented foods are essentially probiotics in food form. Yogurt and sauerkraut are two of the most common examples. Miso, kefir, tempeh, pickles, and kimchi are other options. Eat more fermented foods, and your gut will thank you. 9. Try a plant-based diet. Many people struggle with meat and dairy products. You might find that your digestive system feels and behaves better when you focus on plant-based foods. If you haven’t been paying attention to your gut health, you’re not as healthy as you could be. What you eat and drink has the greatest impact on your gut health. Not only does the food you eat impact the health of every cell in your body, but it also affects the bacteria in your digestive tract. When your bacteria are healthy, you’ll be much healthier, too!
8. Poor sleep. Between the gastrointestinal distress, inflammation, skin issues, and autoimmune disorders, it’s no wonder that sleep quality can become an issue. It’s odd to think that an issue in your gut could be disrupting your sleep, but it happens. Gut health is a serious issue. You can’t be healthy if your gut is unhealthy. If you consistently have poor gut health symptoms, it’s time to see your doctor. When you ensure that your gut is healthy, you’re greatly increasing the odds that the rest of your body will be healthy, too. Treat your gut properly, and you’ll be well rewarded. You can’t be much healthier than your gut is. It’s only been recently discovered just how important gut health is to overall health. You have a lot of cells in your body – roughly 37.2 trillion! But you actually have far more bacteria: about 10 times as many. You have more bacteria in your body than you do human cells. These bacteria are predominately in your digestive tract. The health and composition of these bacteria are pivotal to your overall health. These bacteria are necessary to digest and absorb nutrients. They also synthesize vitamins and provide some immunity from the flu virus and other unwanted invaders. What you choose to eat and drink has the greatest impact on the flora, or gut bacteria, in your body.
These strategies will help you heal your gut and your body:
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1. Consider taking probiotics. Much of your digestive system consists of the flora, or bacteria, that live in your gut. Some foods contain these healthy bacteria, but you can also consume them in pill form. Probiotics are a great way to improve your gut health. 2. Chew your food thoroughly. The more you chew your food, the easier it is
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24 BLACK WESTCHESTER
BLACK HISTORY IN WESTCHESTER
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
WILLIAM VORIS OF RYE - 30 YEARS NOT A SLAVE
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
BLACKWESTCHESTER.COM
Mayfair Apartments
1 Westhelp Drive, Greenburgh, NY 10603 Westchester County 54 Fair & Affordable Rental Apartments for Seniors 62+
THE TRUE STORY OF AN ESCAPED SLAVE FROM NEW JERSEY WHO CAME TO RYE IN THE LATE 1860S AND BECAME AMONG THE NATION’S WEALTHIEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS - BY AJ WOODSON
M ost have heard of or viewed the movie, “Twelve Years A Slave,” which was based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and
freedom. During the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, was a free black man from upstate New York whom was abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent overseer, as well as unexpected kindness from his slave master, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance of meeting with a Canadian abolitionist, played by Brad Pitt had forever altered his circumstances. Most African-Americans in Westchester have never heard of or been told about the incredible true story of an escaped slave from New Jersey who came to Rye in the late 1860s. William Voris started his own boarding house and restaurant while also running an ice cream stand on Rye Beach. In the early 19th century, The Hudson River, much like the Ohio River, divided slavery from freedom. New York State had banned slavery but the state of New Jersey at the time did not. William Voris had fled Bergen County and relocated here in Westchester County. Mr. Voris of Rye became among the nation’s wealthiest African-American business owners at that time. This is an example of what could happen for blacks had they been granted the right to be free and to benefit from economic opportunity. Even though his story is not widely known among black people, even in Westchester County, his legacy lives on through his family. Just last year on Monday, February 13, 2017, at the Board of Legislators Annual Black History and Heritage Celebration, Legislator David Gelfarb presented a Proclamation to Doris Bailey-Reavis of Port Chester, who is William Voris’ greatgranddaughter for recognition of her many years of civic-engagement. Such acts of service included serving as a Life Member and President of the Port Chester/Rye NAACP, a member of the Port Chester Strategic Planning Committee, the League of Women Voters, the Council of Community Services and the Board of Directors of the Carver Center. Mrs. Bailey-Reavis was among the first African-Americans to be recruited to work at the Pentagon where she served under President Truman. Following the event, Legislator Gelfarb said, “I was very happy to honor Doris for her many years of service to our community. Doris and her family’s civic participation has been woven into the history of Westchester County since the early 1800s. It is amazing, and we are fortunate that Doris continues to carry that legacy in 2017. I am truly proud to count Doris among my constituents as a County Legislator.” His story will be shared throughout the county this year. It is imperative that all African-Americans check it out!
Thirty Years Not A Slave, a talk by writer and historian Howard Husock presented Thursday, February 16, 2018, at 7:30 p.m., at the John C. Hart Memorial Library, 1130 East Main Street, Shrub Oak, New York. It is open to the public and free of charge. The program is co-sponsored by the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society and the Yorktown Historical Society in recognition of Black History Month. Mr. Husock will tell the story of how William Voris, who is buried in the African-American Cemetery, became one of America’s most successful and wealthiest African-American business owners in the early 19th century. He was not a slave because he had fled New Jersey, a slave state, to New York, which banned slavery, where he settled to set up business in Westchester County. At the time, the Hudson River, like the Ohio River to the west, divided slavery from freedom. A contributing editor of The City Journal and a senior fellow at the prestigious Manhattan Institute, Mr. Husock’s lecture is based on his interesting and informative article in The Westchester Historian Magazine (Fall 2016). This lecture spoke about how the African-American, once free from slavery, could succeed and benefit from economic opportunity. A second presentation was held at the Mount Vernon Public Library located at 28 South First Street, by author and journalist Howard Husock as well, on Tuesday February 27, 2018 from 5:00-6:00 PM in the Grace Green Baker Community Room. In July 2016, The National Trust for Historic Preservation was awarded the Bird Homestead Nonprofit, a prestigious, nationally competitive grant from the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation. The $7,000 matching grant will support an interpretive plan for the Voris-Gedney Archaeological and Environmental Preserve, which occupies an acre of habitat between the Bird Homestead and the Meeting House on Milton Road. The group works to restore and operate both historic properties for educational purposes. Nineteenth-century maps show three buildings on the property, which are no longer there. Two of them belonged to a successful African-American named William Voris. The other was the dwelling of John Gedney, a member of a prominent merchant family. It was rare for African-Americans to own property in the two decades before the Civil War. A glimpse of the stature of Voris can be seen in the historic African-American Cemetery in the town of Rye. His gravestone is both large and made of white marble, an expensive material.
BLACK WESTCHESTER
The Mayfair Apartment campus includes eight two story buildings with 74 apartments and a community room with computer workspace, exercise and office space. Laundry facili�es on‐site Area Median Income (AMI)
Area Median Income (AMI)
1 Person 2 Person 3 Person
4 Person
$1,132
40%
$35,240
$40,280
$45,320
$50,320
3
$1,415
50%
$44,050
$50,350
$56,650
$62,900
$1,415
1
$1,698
60%
$52,900
$60,400
$69,200
$75,500
$1,887
3
$2,264
80%
$70,480
$80,560
$90,640
$100,640
# of units
One Bedroom
# of units
Two Bedroom
40%
18
$943
1
50%
16
$1,179
60%
4
80%
8
To Obtain Applica�on: 914‐332‐4144 | www.housingac�oncouncil.org To Submit Applica�on: Mail or hand deliver to 55 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 Applica�on Deadline: Postmarked by February 19, 2021 Public Lo�ery: March 2, 2021 ‐ Via Zoom | Listed on h�p://nyhousingsearch.gov/
MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDS FROM:
DEVELOPED BY:
Black Westchester salutes William Voris again this February.
SEN. ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS, FIRST WOMAN IN RONALD A BLACKWOOD, NY’S FIRST NYS HISTORY TO LEAD A CONFERENCE IN ALBANY ELECTED AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAYOR BY AJ WOODSON
R onald Alexander Blackwood (January 19, 1926- February 22, 2017) a Jamaican immigrant, made history when he became the first black Mayor of
Mount Vernon, as well as the first black person elected mayor of any municipality in New York State, on January 25, 1985, five years before New York City’s first African-American Mayor, David Dinkins was elected. Mayor Blackwood served the city of Mount Vernon for the next 11 years from 1985 until 1996. Before becoming the city of Mount Vernon’s top elected official, Blackwood was a member of the county Board of Supervisors and city councilman for four terms. Blackwood died from complications of Parkinson’s disease at his home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on February 22, 2017, at the age of 91. He was survived by his wife of 38 years, Ann Griffin Blackwood, and daughter, Helen M. Blackwood, who he lived to see be elected without opposition to the Westchester County Court in 2015. Born in Jamaica, Blackwood moved to Mount Vernon in 1955 and began his political career in 1967 when he was elected to the now-defunct Westchester County Board of Supervisors. He served as a city councilman for 15 years and was acting mayor for four months in 1976 after the death of Mayor August Petrillo.” Mayor Blackwood served this city of Mount Vernon with distinction and honor. He broke barriers and built bridges to the future showing how an immigrant can truly live the American Dream. He was an example of what a public servant should be. You could always find him walking up and down the streets, connecting with residents, responding to their wants and needs. He was truly a man of the people. When he spoke to you, he made you feel as if you were the center of the universe. He was a leader not a politician, a man who worked with grace and grit. Mayor Blackwood spoke often about the ‘’obstacles, disappointments and frustrations” he experienced as he made his way to New York and Westchester County. But he persevered, making himself an example for young men and women. Everyone knows that his love for this city knew no bounds. As Mayor, he was dedicated to fighting for the people of Mount Vernon. He promoted job opportunities, affordable housing, and crime-fighting measures. Mount Vernon will continue to remember his legacy of leadership and thank him and his family for their dedication to the city.
BY AJ WOODSON
Top Democrats from NYC and Westchester rallied in front of the Harriet Tubman statue in Harlem on Monday, August 14, 2017 to say State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins “will become the first black female Senate majority leader.” The Yonkers resident represents the 35th State Senate district in NY (Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Hastingson-Hudson, Irvington, Tarrytown, Scarsdale and parts parts of Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle.) Through disrespectful racial remarks and the formation of the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference, a renegade group of 8 Democrats who collaborate with Republicans, Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins remained unscathed. She continued to chip away from the glass ceiling of the New York State Legislature, even though it seems they have stacked the chips against her. She has remained strong throughout the adversity while remaining regal throughout – she is the embodiment of beauty in the struggle. Prior to becoming the first woman Senate minority leader, and her election to the New York State Senate in 2006, Andrea Stewart-Cousins served for a decade as a Westchester County Legislator representing Yonkers. During her tenure (from 1996 to 2006), she was elected Majority Whip and ViceChair. She authored and passed landmark legislation, including Westchester County’s first human rights laws, living wage laws, smoke-free workplace laws, tougher gun laws, laws that prosecute “predatory lenders”, and laws that have provided tax cuts for seniors and veterans. As Chair of the Health Committee, Legislator Stewart-Cousins brought the “Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program” to Westchester County. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins was inducted into Westchester Women’s Hall of Fame during 7th Annual “In The Company of Women” Luncheon at the Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown, Friday, May 6, 2017.
This Black History Month, Black Westchester celebrates Mayor Ronald A. Blackwood! BW salutes Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a true Black Westchester legend.
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SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER SINCE 2014
“Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.” – Cicely Tyson COMPLIMENTARY
Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas
FEBRUARY 15, 2021
Department of Social Services Leadership Back row left to right: Deputy Commissioner Leonard Townes, First Deputy Commissioner John Befus, Deputy Commissioner Derrick Hinds, Director of Housing Operations Troy DeCohen Front row left to right: Director of Human Resource Valerie Raynor, Director of Human Services Diane Atkins, Associate Commissioner Jane Velazquez
A Diverse Workforce for a Diverse County Across her long and accomplished career with Westchester County, Diane Atkins has risen to the top – both literally and figuratively. Her ninth floor office in the Michaelian Office Building is just steps from the County Executive’s and offers a sweeping view of downtown White Plains. From her first job as a typist to her current post as a member of County Executive George Latimer’s management team, her climb has been fueled by her tremendous work ethic and her passion for helping others. “We’re in the building where I started as a Grade 3 typist. I would type notes from social workers and take dictation,” she recalled. She had no idea where that first job would lead her.
Along the way, she earned bachelors and master’s degrees, received multiple promotions, mentored staff members and made history as the first African-American to be appointed as First Deputy Commissioner of the County’s largest agency. “There was a great sense of satisfaction in each one of those jobs, and it just made me better for the next job. It made me really energetic to really rise up in this agency.” Atkins noted that Latimer is committed to diversity throughout the County government, from the ranks of commissioners and senior executives to jobs for people just beginning their careers. She works closely with the County Executive to recruit and encourage people of color to consider careers with Westchester County. Atkins had “retired” from the County in 2010 after 41 years of service but went right to work for the City of Mount Vernon and then for State Sen. Andrea Stewart Cousins. When Latimer was elected County Executive, he asked her to come back.
Assigned as a clerical worker at the Department of Social Services, she constantly challenged herself to do more, She serves as Director of Human Services and oversees learn more, achieve more and make more of a difference in DSS, the Dept. of Senior Programs & Services, the Youth lives of the people served by DSS. She became a case Board and Veterans Affairs. When asked if she has any worker and also spent time in every division at DSS, intention of slowing down anytime soon, she smiles and including Child Protective Services, Employment, Housing says simply: “I still have more to do.” and Adoption. To receive notifications of all upcoming civil service exams, people can sign up to receive email notifications at https://exams.westchestergov.com/webexam/emailSubscription/subscribe.htm.
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