Volume 4/ Issue 12 Black Westchester July/August 2021 Anniversary Issue #1

Founded in 2014 by DAMON K. JONES

AJ WOODSON

Published by URBANSOUL MEDIA GROUP

455 Tarrytown Rd., Suite 1318 White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 979-2093

www.BlackWestchester.com

Email: BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: @BlkWestchesterM and @PBPRadio

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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

Brother John Morrison

Photographers

AJ Woodson

Joy Malone Photography

Christopher Richards/ 914 Photography

Graphic Designers

AJ Woodson

Paula S. Woodson/ PS Visually Speakin’

For Advertising Rates

AdvertiseWithBW@gmail.com

Letters To The Editor BWEditorInChief@gmail.com

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

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

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

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

A FEW WORDS FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Welcome to our July/ August 2021 Issue, the first of two Anniversary Issues.

In July, Black Westchester Magazine - our online African-American News Magazine - celebrates it’s seven-year anniversary. In August we celebrate the seven-year anniversary of the People Before Politics Radio Show and the four-year anniversary of Black Westchester the newspaper.

The second of the two anniversary issues will be out August 20th. Deadline to advertise is Friday, August 13th. But if you are interested in placing an ad celebrating our anniversary please do not wait until the last minute, some people have already contacted us to take out ads in the August 20th issue.

We like to welcome two new photographers who will be freelancing with us, Joy Malone of Joy Malone Photography who has pictures on page 11 and Christopher Richards of 914 Photography who has pictures on page 13. We are always looking for photographers, writers, editors and individuals to sell advertising and help with distribution. We are also looking for interns to help in all the aforementioned areas in addition to graphic artists and help running and maintaining the website. If you are interested please contact us at BWEditorInChief@gmail.com

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

Peace and Blessings

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

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

CARRYING ON THE TRADITION OF AFRICANAMERICAN NEWS FOR SEVEN YEARS AND COUNTING

Celebrating the seven-year anniversary of Black Westchester allow us show you how we got here and for those who are checking us out for the first time and those not may not have been riding with us the whole seven years. To those who have been with us since day one, paraphasing the words of the great African-American poet Shawn Corey Carter, “All us to introduce ourselves...”

Over the past few years you may have noticed that we have been covering the local political scene heavy but we are and have done so much more. We take our responsiblity seriously and stand on the shoulders of all the tradition African-American newspapers that came before us.

From the first African-American periodical, called Freedom’s Journal started by Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwarm in 1827, to the Chicago Defender, Detroit Tribune, the Pittsburgh Courier, and in New York the Amsterdam News and locally, the Westchester Observer and the Westchester County Press, we understand importance of African-American newspapers to report the news of the day, even if it was not their primary purpose.

We understand the Black press is a critical—but often ignored—aspect of African-American history and culture. Along with churches, political and service organizations, cultural institutions, and schools and universities, the Black press has been central to community formation, protest and advocacy, education and literacy, and economic self-sufficiency. Since the earliest known Blackowned and published newspaper, like the Freedom’s Journal, the Black press has provided a public sphere for an aggrieved community barred from mainstream channels of discourse. These publications disseminated African-Americans’ ideas, accomplishments, and cultural products within their communities and to the rest of the world.

African-American journalism has played a dual role, serving as of purveyors of news and information and as agents of social change. The Black press has always been a source of Black American political power, and even among the most commercial ventures, it is a defender of shared values and interests.

The 1944 annual meeting of the National Negro Press Association adopted a “Credo for the Negro Press.” The Credo begins:

I Shall Be a Crusader…

I Shall Be an Advocate…

I Shall Be a Herald…

I Shall Be a Mirror and a Record…

Matthew F. Delmont wrote in his book titled “Black Quotidian: Everyday History In African-American Newspapers” published by the Stanford University Press in 2019; This special mission figures prominently in coverage of racial violence in the Black press. When Black newspapers reported on lynchings, police brutality, and other everyday acts of racial violence, they did not simply give an account of what transpired. Black reporters and editors urged local and federal authorities to defend the rights of Black people and to bring perpetrators to justice; they investigated criminal acts that law enforcement agencies either ignored or refused to probe; and they expressed outrage, on behalf of the Black community, that these acts of racial terror continued to take place in America. The Black press also recorded the names of victims, entering them into the historical record and leaving a paper trail of cases, some of which scholars, reporters, and lawyers are still trying to solve. African-American newspapers recorded murders that have become well known—such as the lynching of Emmett Till and the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, killing four young girls, Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley—as well as lesser known crimes that are no less disturbing, including the

bombings of the homes of the Short family in Fontana, California, and the Moore family in Mims, Florida. It would have been possible to fill Black Quotidian with only examples of the daily racial terror Black people have fought against. I elected not to do this because I wanted to illustrate how joy and the threat of violence have always been part of the quotidian lives of Black people in America.

Black Westchester as a member of the National Newspaper Publisher Association (NNPA) – inducted as an unofficial member by the organization’s President and CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis when he appeared on Episode 297 of our weekly talk radio show People Before Politics Radio, Sunday, April 25, 2021 – we take this credo of AfricanAmerican newspapers who came before us, seriously as we carry on the tradition. Like Delmont we also elect to not just give examples of the deadly consequences of being Black in America, but illustrate and document how the threat of violence has always been part of the quotidian lives of Black people in the United States of America.

The NNPA’s Credo Of The Black Press reads;

The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back. Since World War II, it has also served as the industry’s news service, a position that it has held without peer or competitor since the Associated Negro Press dissolved by 1970. The Black press has played a crucial role in the Fourth Estate since its inception in the early 19th century. In the early days, the Black press reported mainly on issues affecting the newly-formed African- American community and identity. African-American news organizations highlighted the challenges and triumphs of the Black community, while providing a more nuanced portrait of the lives of Black Americans when mainstream media would report predominately negative or otherwise bigoted stories of Black Americans.

Covering events and celebrating African-American excellence like the Westchester County Press - that has been the solo Black Voice in media in the county for decades - but also realizing the need to be more radical at times like the Mount Vernon-based Westchester Observer. Ben Anderson motto was “Dedicated to Justice for All.” Ben Anderson wasn’t afraid to say it. He was afraid be an activist as well as accurately covering the movement of his time. Black Westchester tries to carry on the tradition of both Westchester Black Newspapers as we strive to inspire a new generation of truth-speakers.

Since our inception in 2014 we have covered the movement and protest of the people (see page 22), have been at the forefront of the fight for freedom, justice and equality, stood by those who lost family members at the hands of law enforcement and those lost to senseless gun violence by someone who look like them. We have helped a few who were wrongfully incarcerated tell them story and get free and exonorated and provided coverage that led to some officers who abused their power either being fired, indicted, convicted and/or suspended. We have held the feet of our elected officials and leaders - especially those who look like us - to the fire and in a few cases, helped some elected officials get in office and been responsible for some not being re-elected.

We have highlighted the unsung heros and sheros of the community that have been putting in work for years but usual do not get publicity and as we said previously, work to encourge and inspire a new generation of truth speakers and activists. It has been a labor of love sometime without the support from those we are trying to educate, inform and inspire, but what drives us is understanding the role we play in our community and the surrounding areas. With all who support us and those who just found our about us, on our seven year anniversary we share the Credo of Black Westchester as we carry on the tradition of African-American Newspapers that came before us.

MT VERNON NATIVE DARIN A. KENT IS APPOINTED CHIEF COMUNICATION OFFICER OF THE AME ZION CHURCH

BY AJ WOODSON

Mount Vernon — Mount Vernon native Darin A. Kent as been appointed the Chief Communications Officers of the entire African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Editor-In-Chief of the Star Of Zion Newspaper, Friday, July 30th at the Annual Conference in Georgia.

“Today I was confirmed by the 51st session of the A.M.E. Zion General Conference as the Chief Communications officer of the A.M.E. Zion Church,” Kent shared with Black Westchester. “God’s Grace is the only reason I am able to work in this capacity for His people. He’s provided me with the gifts, and I made it my business to honor Him by using these talents to bless the people of God through the A.M.E. Zion Church. I know I have much to still learn and a lot of work ahead of me. It’s a tall order and that I’m ready to fulfill because everything I am is because of Him.”

Darin Kent - born and raised in Mount Vernon - was the Former Multimedia Director of Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church in Mount Vernon from September 2007 to July 2016. Kent went on to serve as the Director of Communications of the Mid Atlantic Episcopal District until his new appointment as the Chief Communications Officer of the A.M.E. Zion denomination. The appointment also makes him the Editor-In-Chief of the Star Of Zion Newspaper, the longest running African-American Newspaper.

In 1876 the Star of Zion, was founded as official newspaper of the A.M.E. Zion Church. It was established to provide news and information on events in local churches, district and annual conferences, evangelistic efforts, educational meetings, and ecumenical participation. Since 1894 the organ has been published in Charlotte, which also is the home of the AME Zion Publishing House. Throughout its more than 145-year history, the Star of Zion has advocated greater citizenship rights and educational and economic opportunities for African-Americans, who, the church teaches, carry much of the responsibility for their own progress.

38-year-old Darin Kent is also the President and CEO of www.DarinKent.com LLC, a full service multimedia company that specializes in video, photography and editing services for over 15 years. Founded in the church.

Kent also worked as a substitute teacher in the Mount Vernon City School District from November 2006 – April 2007.

Born youngest son of the late John Kent and Elizabeth ‘Bibi’ Kent and younger brother of Valerie and Warren Kent and the husband of Nina Kent, and father of two daughters 7-year-old Mack and 2-year-old Maia.

YONKERS MEMORIALIZES DMX WITH A NEW MURAL NEAR SCHOOL STREET

YONKERS—Elected officials and members of the Ruff Ryders celebrated the life of DMX (Earl Simmons) on July 13 during a dedication of a new mural near the public housing where the late artist once lived.

The event was organized by the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers, which commissioned the mural near 80 School St., DMX’s former residence. During the ceremony, Wilson Kimball, president and CEO of the housing authority, compared DMX’s work to writers like Toni Morrison and Ernest Hemmingway.

“No one was more honest, brutal and fierce than Earl Simmons. His music transports you to a time and a place that many of us did not know,” said Kimball.

Desiree Lindstrom, DMX’s fiancé, told attendees that the mural was a tribute to DMX’s aspirations.

“May this mural remind everyone that one young man from Yonkers had a dream to rap, and that same young man from Yonkers went to reach millions across the world with his rhymes and words,” said Lindstrom.

The large mural by artist 90° is based on a photograph of DMX from his glory days in the late 1990s with his signature dog chain choker. The mural’s red background is decorated with lyrics from his music, including the songs “Look Thru My Eyes” and “That’s My Dog.”

“By his words he reached for the mountain ‘cause he lived in a cave,” said Stewart-Cousins. “If we do nothing else, we have to make sure that our children do not ever have to feel that they are living in a cave.”

The NYC artist 90°, also known as Floyd Simmons, has worked with some of the biggest names in hip hop. His works include the mural on the hood of the ’64 Impala in Mariah Carey’s music video, “Heartbreaker Remix,” and Big L’s mural on 139th and Lenox in Harlem.

THE LOX SLAUGHTER DIPSET IN HIGHLY ANTICIPATED VERZUZ BATTLE

BY AJ WOODSON

The LOX (Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch) and Dipsett (Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, and Freekey Zekey) went head-to-head in a highly anticipated Verzuz Battle at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Tuesday, August 3rd. It was a no-nonsense New York Hip-Hop fight and while no one got killed, like previous confrontations, the lyrical assasination committed with malice aforethought by The Lox should be against the law. Someone call Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah to charge the Yonkers trio with Premeditated Murder by Microphone, Voluntary Microphone Manslaughter in the First Degree and Assault with a deadly Microphone. It wasn’t merely a slaughter it was a lyrical summerary execution!

This was a lesson in Lyricism 101. The Ruff Ryders Rap Titans put on a master class in HipHop. They entered the stage with intent to inflicts serious harm and cause Dipset’s defeat.

While it appeared Dipset came out thinking their representation and homecourt advantage guarenteed victory before they stepped on the stage, it was clear that the Lox understood the assignment, came out prepared for battle, letting the rest of the rap world know it is not a game!

As soon as Michael Buffer finished announcing the groups, The LOX came out swinging and they never let up, not even for a second. They set the tone. They set the tempo and they put a hurting on Dipset in front of the packed house. It was one for the record books, according to many fans who left comments online. The night was full of bravado, brash bars, Furious Freestyles and tons of trash talking even a shove from Sanatana and Jadakiss responding by ripping his bandana off his head and throwing it on the floor. They put on a great show for the fans, but kept the rivarly to the lyrics and showmanship.

Before we get any further allow me to pause to give props to Kiss who is now the only Verzuz competitor to have battled as a solo artist and group member. The only artist period to win two Verzuz battles, can you say Top Five, Dead or Alive? (See article to the right for more.)

In his first Verzuz appearance against Fabolous last June, Jadakiss appeared in one of the first in studio battles of the series launched amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Now with his YO brethren SP the Ghost and Sheek Louch, he is in the very first battle live and in living color of the series. Setting trends, kicking ass and taking names in two battles and did we mention that he is a dope rhymeslayer.

Ok back to Tuesday night battle, Jada kept calling out Dipset for their lack of bars. Verbally jousting, claiming Dipset was lip sincing, for rapping over the vocal version of their songs and frequently made mention that they forgot their own lyrics. When Cam’rom tried to address Jada’s claims and rip a acapella freestyle, he had to start over atleast three times, was booed and the crowd begin to shout out D Block, D Block, D Block over the Harlem rapper’s attempts, until he gave up on the idea all together, proving the General of the Lox was right.

Cam’ron briefly won the crowd over with the Just Blaze produced NYC anthem, ‘Welcome To New York City’ featuring Roc-a-Fella rhymeslayer Jay Z and Juelz Santana, the seventh track from his third album, Come Home with Me. He got the NY Hip-Hop crowd behind him as they all sang the chorus;

It’s the home of 9-11, the place of the lost towers

We still banging, we never lost power, tell ‘em

Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City

You all f****** with BK’s banger and Harlem’s own gangster

Now that’s danger there’s nothing left to shape up

Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City

But Jadakisss snatched the crowd right back, ‘New York, the real New York, Im outside, I don’t live in Miami (taking a shot at Cam’ron who lives in Miami these days) or Colorado, come to my block and see me, I’m in Harlem you see me... then he spit his verse from Ja Rule’s New York, New York featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss. As soon as he spit; I got a hundred guns, a hundred clips

I’m from New York (New York)

That’s all it took to match the battle for best NYC Anthem. That was one of the few moments where it might have been close and could of gone either way, but with a few other exceptions, it was all about the LOX.

Styles P reminded everyone of that when he walked out to the beginning of Run’s House “We has a whole lotta superstars on this stage here tonight, But I want you all to know one thing-this is.... My MF House,” then he light a blunt, the beat dropped and he went into I Get High. Jadakiss set it off earlier with a freestyle, “...Hands down, the game is all Jada’s.... we aint playing with yall, this is New York right, they is what you want right, off the beat of Biggie’s Who Shot Ya?

One of those other moments after Cam’ron yells at the Lox ‘It aint more fault yall don’t have no hits,’ and the DJ throws on the beat for Jim Jones ‘Ballin,’ and gets the crowd behind him The Lox went into ‘It’s All About The Benjamins.’ Again depending who your favorite group is, it could have gone either way. Fans will debate that forever, but there was no debating the night belong to The LOX overall.

In another part of the show, after Cam hit the crowd with his hit single ‘Oh Boy,’ Juelz Santana yelled out something about the Lox not loving the ladies, claiming they had not rhymes about the ladies and Jada went into a medley that included, ‘I Need A Ride Or Die Chick,’ then followed that up with their verse on Mariah Carey’s ‘Honey,’ then their verse on J Lo’s ‘Jenny From the Block,’ and Family Affair by fellow Yonkers representer Mary J. Blige and then Sheek spit his joint ‘Good Good!’

While I give this battle to the LOX hands down, the real winner was HipHop heads everywhere and the city of New York! Next, as two of New York’s most thorough rap crews, they are planning to take the show on the road with a joint tour in September that will also feature Philly’s State Property— giving fans outside New York a chance to lace up their Timberlands and get in on the action.

I am pleased to announce despite the rugged competititon the groups showed it was all love at the end, called for the fans to get home safe like they got to the venue and walked off together to the theme song of The Jefferson.

JADAKISS MAKES HISTORY AS ONLY ARTIST TO WIN 2 VERZUZ BATTLES

As we told you Jadakiss may be on his way to being indicted for the manhandling of Dipset at the Verzuz showdown. It was a lyrical lynching. Styles P and Sheek Louch are also wanted as co-conspirators.

But this is not Jada’s first offense, yes thats right the Yonkers rhymeslayer is a repeat offender. He will go down in history as the first artist to battle as a solo artist and as a member of a group and is the only artist to win two Verzuz battles.

Warning to all rap artists and rap groups, this man is deadly with a microphone. Do not challenge him, this emcee is armed

and dangerous. If you come in contact with him, please do yourself a favor and call the proper authorities, he has an extensive rap sheet from leaving bodies and broken microphones in his wake.

His first offense was on Monday, June 29 2020, when he squared off with Fabolous, another deadly emcee who has killed many a mixtapes. It was Freddy versus Jason all over again. The two New York Emcees went head-to-head in an unforgettable battle, but Kiss secured the WIN!

Jadakiss came straight out the gate and drew first blood with his verse from the classic DMX record “Blackout,” which he shared is very special to him because it was his first hip-hop quoteable (a section in the Source Magazine reserved for only the most notorious emcees). Fab came back with his “You Ain’t Got Nothin On Me” record with Lil Wayne, it wasn’t enough to top Jada.

The went back and forth on the next few tracks, when Kiss pulled away and secured the victory. Fab made a valiant attempt at a comeback toward the end but by the the Yonkers wordsmith was too far ahead.

I am pleased to report, there’s no bad blood, as the prolific Emcees remain close friends from when they released their underrated Friday on Elm Street joint album back in 2017. Friday, August 6th The LOX received the Key to the City!

DISTRICT ATTORNEY ROCAH DISMISSES ALL MARIJUANA POSSESSION CASES

White Plains, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced Monday, July 26th that the courts have granted her petition to dismiss all marijuana cases involving felony and misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession or sale.

“Dismissing all marijuana cases, including underlying bench warrants, has been a priority of mine, and the legislature’s repeal of Article 221 was long overdue. The decriminalization of marijuana possession is critical given the discriminatory way marijuana laws have been used to incarcerate people of color.” DA Rocah shared with Black Westchester. “While Black and white Americans used marijuana at similar rates, people of color are much more likely to be arrested than white Americans for marijuana possession. Our office is committed to reducing this disparity and the dismissal of these cases is an important step.”

Despite roughly equal usage rates, African-Americans are 3.73 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana.

“The decriminalization of low-level marijuana related offenses will prevent people from getting unnecessarily involved with the criminal justice system,” Rocah tells BW. “Having to disclose an arrest and record can impact many facets of their life, including limiting employment and housing opportunities.”

A total of 184 cases have been dismissed by the Westchester District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s Office will not go forward with prosecuting future violations or misdemeanors. In local court, prosecutors will continue to identify warrants for standalone marijuana charges that would no longer be prosecutable and will calendar these cases, recall the warrants and dismiss the charges.

LACK OF SUPPORT FOR CAPITOL POLICE EXPOSES THE RISE OF THE MAGA COP IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY

WHITE PLAINS POLICE OFFICER DISRESPECTS CAPITOL POLICE, CALLING THEM “GLORIFIED SECURITY GUARDS.”

I support the Capitol Police and the DC Metro Police, who fought for their lives on January 6th against racist MAGA heads and even some MAGA off-duty officers. There has been no love from the law enforcement community for the family of the Capitol Police Officers. Officer Brian Sicknick was killed responding to the riots on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. His mother had to literally beg Republicans to investigate what happen that day and to find out who killed her son.

The sad thing about it is, according to Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fannon, he’s gotten no support from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and other local and national law enforcement organizations.

Fanone told CBS News he was “tortured” on January 6, dragged alone into the crowd, tased and beaten with fists and metal objects. He said Tuesday the attack rendered him unconscious and that he suffered a mild heart attack and a brain injury.

Officer Harry Dunn of the Capitol Police – one of the four officers who testified Tuesday before the House select committee investigating the riot – told the panel a rioter had screamed at him, prompting a crowd to turn on him with shouts of “Boo! Fucking nigger!”

Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell said he was beaten with a flagpole and soaked with chemical spray while defending the Capitol. As a result of his injuries, he said had surgery on his right foot, would need surgery on his left shoulder, and will need further rehab for possibly more than a year.

But after all this testimony, Lou Formoso, a local White Plains Police Officer took to Facebook, disrespecting the heroic efforts of the Capitol Police and DC Metro Police Officers, having the unmitigated gal to say that “Capital Police are Glorified Security Guards.”

Wait! He’s a White Plains Cop, we must ask how many times has actually been in a drawn out fight or out numbered in an altercation even close to January 6? Do Blue Lives matter? It seems that the local and National disrespect and silence from law enforcement organizations and law enforcement officers in support of the Capital and DC Metro Police is evidence that Blue Lives Matter is just rhetoric, another cover for MAGA, the 2.5 version of White Supremacy.

BY AJ WOODSON BY DAMON K. JONES

These officers and organizations are quick to condemn protest about immigration and civil rights but their silence have been deafening of their majorly white comrades who illegally stormed the US Capitol Building to hang the Vice President, killed a officer and endured countless other Capitol and DC Metro Police Officers. White is always right and these cops should have known better not to speak about against it.

If these law enforcement officers and organizations don’t care about their own as they claim they do, but instead, they mock and cower in support of these officers. We have reverted to when the KKK majority control of police departments around the county. They’re nothing but hypocrites hiding their MAGA Badges and should not be patrolling our streets.

I hope this serves as a lesson to elected officials across the nation and especially in Westchester. A racial sensitivity class once a year does not cleanse the mind of being a racist, bigot, or insensitive to the community’s needs.

If you hire racists, they will remain racist. If you employ a bigot, they will continue to be a bigot. Some might pull back because of the social-political climate. Unfortunately, Trump’s MAGA rhetoric has emboldened racists and bigots, especially those that wear a uniform and badge. You can form police policy, but it’s harder to reform the mind, especially when they don’t want to change.

Councilwoman Nadine Hunt-Robinson – who first made history in November 2014 by becoming the first African-American woman elected to serve as White Plains Common Council and again Monday, January 6, 2020, when she became the first African-American woman to serve as White Plains Common Council President – immediately shared our story on her Facebook page and expressed her concern to the WPPD. She also confirmed that Formoso has since been removed from patrol duties and is now assigned to the records room.

“I expressed concern that the officer’s posts undermine public trust and confidence. I have since been advised that the officer has been removed from patrol duties and is assigned to the records room with no contact with the public, while the investigation continues,” the Council President shared with Black Westchester.

Officer Formoso has since removed the post from his Facebook page after our initial story ran and we shared a screenshot of his post. As a matter of fact many of his post were removed from Facebook when we checked his page while writing this story.

We called the White Plains Police Department to confirm Formoso was in fact removed from patrol duty and to get a quote, we were told they could not confirm or deny and that all comments must come from the commissioner’s office. We asked to be transferred to the commissioner’s office and was told the commissioner was gone for the day. We were transferred and then called back on our own and the phone just rang continuously until we were eventually disconnected.

Anyone who watched the testimony of the four officers who testified at the first hearing of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol and did not feel anything for the officers is heartless. Much less someone in law enforcement who can criticize the brave officers who defended the Capitol, Congress and the Vice President, and can sharing such degrading comments on Facebook, does not deserve to wear the badge. If Formoso has no respect for his fellow officers, how can the residents of White Plains trust him to serve and protect the community or respect them.

Then to add insult to injury by comparing what happened on January 6 to peaceful protest by Black Lives Matter and Antifa furthers proves Formoso isn’t fit for duty.

Also allow me address the notion of Antifa, that many like to claim are a danger to democracy. We interviewed Port Chester native, Former FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence and MSNBC’s National Security Analyst Frank Figliuzzi, Sunday, February 21st and he confirmed forwarding the “notion” that Antifa was a violent organized group is “laughable. Despite all the GOP talking points and propaganda, Antifa it is not a threat to anyone. So there’s that!

I want to see Blue Lives Matter and all the PBAs defend this behavior!!!

SEN. SCHUMER AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ASC JOIN STSI TO FIGHT BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS

WORDS BY AJ WOODSON - PHOTOS BY JOY MALONE PHOTOGRAPHY

Sister to Sister International, founder, Cheryl Brannan, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea StewartCousins, Yonkers City Councilwoman Tasha Diaz, surrounded by frontline workers, local officials, and advocates held a press conference at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Saturday, July 10th to come up with a plan to change maternal outcomes among Black women.

Sen. Schumer unveiled a comprehensive threepart plan, “Momnibus Act” to address the national maternal mortality crisis and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes nationwide and at the only maternity ward in Yonkers at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, in New York’s fourth-largest city.

“Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) links women, girls and families of African descent globally, to the resources that connect, advance and strengthen them. A cornerstone of STSI initiatives is health and wellness where we have a strong focus on maternal health. We thank Senator Schumer for his national and local pushes on this critical healthcare area. STSI looks forward to working with Senator Schumer on his continued efforts to end racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health,” said Cheryl Brannan, Founder of STSI.

Advocates say that they know changes can be challenging, but Black mothers deserve better treatment and it’s time to deliver it to them.

Senator Charles Schumer, kneeling, with State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, STSI founder Cheryl Brannan, and St. John’s Hospital staff [Joy Malone Photgraphy]

7TH ANNUAL WOMEN WHO DARE TO BE DIFFERENT AWARDS DINNER

THEODORE D. YOUNG COMMUNITY CENTER, WHITE PLAINS, NY - SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021

BY AJ WOODSON

Hundreds of powerful women of Westchester gathered at the Theodore D. Young Community Center, Sunday, July 18th for the 7th Annual Women Who Dare To Be Different Awards Dinner to celebrate their own. The WWDTBD Awards Dinner honors women of our time who are paving the way, making history and leaving there legacy.

The event was hosted by Colby Jenkins, New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority Executive Director Angela Davis-Farrish was the Mistress of Ceremony and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard was the distinquished Keynote Speaker of the evening.

Honorees included Sandy Barnabei and LCSW, Candida Brooke-Harrison, MSW, LCSW, (founding members of the Anti-Racism Alliance), Dimple Willabus, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Hon. Dr. Pearl C. Quarles affectionately referred to as Queen Mother, Reverend Dr, Antionette Cananday, Nicole Benjamin, Asha Castleberry-Hernandez, State Senator Shelley Mayer and Youth Honorees Zoe Ethline Denton, Schylar Chase (daughter of Dr. Tahira DupreeChase) and Heaven Necolle Moore.

“I’d like to congratulate all of the honorees for the 7th Annual Women Who Dare to be Different Awards,” Senator Stewart-Cousins shared with Black Westchester. “These awards honor women who forged their own path, and in doing so, made a profound difference in their communities.”

Also in attendance was County Executive George Latimer, Yonkers Councilwoman Shanae Williams who ran for County Clerk and Greenburgh Town Supervisor candidate Tasha Young (both women even in their loses shook up the world and scared the heck out of the establishment), Legislator Alfreda A. Williams, Greenburgh Town Clerk Judith A. Beville, and Sister To Sister Int’l (STSI) founder Cheryl Brannon, just to name a few. All in all it was a very festive event!

Honorees (from L to R) Sandy Barnabei and LCSW, Candida Brooke-Harrison, MSW, LCSW, (founding members of the Anti-Racism Allaince), Dimple Willabus, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Hon. Dr. Pearl C. Quarles, Reverend Dr. Antionette Cananday, Nicole Benjamin and Colby Jenkins (front center) [Black Westchester]

WE RIDE 4 JUSTICE

MOUNT VERNON’S RAI BENJAMIN WINS SILVER MEDAL WITH SECOND FASTER TIME EVER

BY AJ WOODSON

TOKYO - Rai Benjamin ran a race to remember in the men’s 400m hurdles on Monday, August 2nd. Benjamin won the silver medal, in his very first Olympics appearence, crossing the finish line in 46.17 seconds, the second-fastest time in history.

“If you would have told me I would run 46.1 [seconds] and lose, I would probably beat you up. I’d tell you to get out of my room,” Benjamin said after the race.

Benjamin, a native of Mount Vernon, NY captured the first Olympic medal of his career at the age of 24. He came up short by 0.11 seconds but he is still the number two ranked 400m hurdler in the world, and that is nothing to sneeze at. He broke a record that was set five years before he was born.

He won a silver medal in the the men’s 400 m hurdles, and a gold medal in the 4 × 400 m relay at the World Championships in 2019. In college, Benjamin ran for the UCLA Bruins and then the USC Trojans, where in early 2018 he was part of the team that set the world best time in the indoor 4 × 400 m relay with a time of 3:00.77. At the time, his relay split time of 44.35 s was the fastest ever recorded in an indoor race. In June of the same year he also helped set the NCAA record in the same event but outdoors, and ran what was at the time the second fastest 400 m hurdles race of all-time in 47.02 s.

Black Westchester congratulates and salutes Rai Benjamin, a Mount Vernon legend, and we look forward to witnessing the greatness ahead of him!

BLACK

WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS IN PICTURES

WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE

LACHONNE WILLIAMS (SUGGARPLUMS), CATHERINE WHITE (NR CHAMBER) AND ANGELA FARRISH (NR HOUSING AUTHORITY) BLACK

ON SEVEN YEARS OF GIVING US THE NEWS WITH THE BLACK POINT OF VIEW

BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS IN PICTURES

THE CARE A BUNCH FOUNDATION WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE

FOR SEVEN YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COUNTY AND ENLIGHTENING THE PEOPLE

September 9, 2021 – June 10, 2022

Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Registration Fee: $100 (non-refundable)

Covid-19 Precautions in Effect

Community Service, Computer Room, Dinner, Game Room, Healthy Snacks, Homework Help, Passport to Manhood, Power Hour, Project Learn, Smart Girls, Social Recreation, Special Events

Sports , STEAM, Torch Club

RATES

Full page – $650.00 (10 1/3″ x 13 1/4″)

inside covers (front and back) $750

outside Back cover $850

Half page – $375.00′ -horizontal 10 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ -vertical 5 1/8″ x 13 1/4″ Quarter page $250.00

1/8 page $175.00

-horizontal 5 1/8 x 3″

-vertical 2 3/8 x 6 1/2″

Business Card $75 – Double Business Card Ad $125

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

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

THREE YEARS STRONG AND COUNTING

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

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

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

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

DEMOGRAPHICS

GENRE

Male - 42.55%

female - 57.45%

RACE/ETHNICITY/NATIONALITY

Black/ African-American- 62.24%

Hispanic or Latino - 6.12%

White - 23.47%

Asian - 2.04%

Caribbean - 10.20%

Native American - 7.14%

Other - 2.04%

AGE

17 OR YOUNGER- 5.15%

18-20 - 1.03%

21-29 - 4.12%

30-39 - 6.19%

40-49 - 31.96%

50-59 - 29.90%

60 OR OLDER - 21.65%

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Employed, Working Full-Time- 46.24%

Employed, Working Part-Time - 5.45%

Self Employed - 15.05%

Unemployed - 5.38%

Retired - 18.28%

Disabled, Unable To Work - 8.60%

RELATIONSHIP

Democrat - 50.53% Independent - 25.26%

Something Else - 18.95%

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

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

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

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

politics, sports, and entertainment center stage. Your dedication to keeping the public informed

the lives of people throughout Westchester County and I a m grateful for all your efforts.

SEVEN YEARS OF PROTESTS, RALLIES, FORUMS & DEMONSTRATIONS , BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE WAS THERE

Over the past seven years Black Westchester Magazine has played an important role in spreading the messaging of the many local protests, rallies, vigils, forums and demonstrations where the people wanted to be heard about everything from police criminality, Black Lives Matter, healthcare inequality, poverty, homelessness, wage inequality and justice for lives lost at the hands of law enforcement. Keeping the message alive, covering the movement and following up with editorials addressing the topics of the protests.

Understanding our role to cover the movement in a way mainstream media won’t. To cover the organizations so the true nature of the protest and those protesting are articulated to the public. Being the Voice Of The People often means standing with, covering and shedding light on what they were fighting for and in some cases even speaking, either way Black Westchester Magazine has a long history in covering these progressive protests, rallies and demonstrations in Westchester County and the surrounding areas, the 5 boros, Long Island and occasionally across the nation, Black Westchester Magazine was there. As we celebrate our seven years in community journalism and activism on this page we share some headlines from varies articles and editorials about people standing up!

The 1960s civil rights leaders figured out that images in national media that showed the brutality of Jim Crow, forced an often indifferent white America to take seriously the concerns of Black citizens. Last year the video of George Floyd taken by Darnella Frazier was an echo of the bearing witness of the beating of Rodney King.

While important, the death of Kamal Flowers got drowned out by the coverage of Floyd who was killed days before. The death by Trayvon Martin drowned out the death of Ramarley Gra ham in the Northest Bronx, that happened just weeks before Trayvon. The death of Raynette Turner was over shadowed in the national media by the death of Sandra Bland who was killed just weeks before.

We realized Black Westchester Magazine had to remind everyone we have our own George Floyds, our own Trayvon Martins, our own Sandra Blands in Westchester County. Not allowing the national coverage to overshadow the move ment of the people here at home.

Where ever the people were standing up and speaking out Black Westchester Magazine has been there over the past seven years and we will continue to be!

BLACKS WINNING FOR AMERICA

BY BROTHER JOHN MORRISON

24-year-old Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast and is considered one of the greatest and most dominant gymnasts of all time. Those that attack or question her decision to step down, you could never survive a day in her shoes, Like the Federalist.com’s John Daniel Davidson who wrote “Sorry, Simone Biles, The Olympics isn’t about you, It’s about winning for America.”

What do Black People gain winning for America?

Let’s see!

1936 Jesse Owen won 4 Gold medals representing America, returning back to America, he was still forced to enter through the the back door of a Reception held in “HIS HONOR”.

1960 Muhammad Ali known then as Cassius Clay, won a gold medal in the Rome 1960 Olympic Games. representing America. After returning home and being declined service at a “HOMETOWN” restaurant in Louisville KY, because he was an African-American, Cassius Clay was so angry that he threw his gold medal into a river.

1968

John Carlos Bronze Medalist and Tommie Smith Gold Medalist, track and field winners in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics, and their Black Power salute on the podium caused them to be Black Bald and Ridiculed. “Niggers need to go back to Africa!” and, “I can’t believe this is how you niggers treat us after we let you run in our games.”

The Olympic Commission has made sure something like this will never happen again, you must sign a waiver now, whatever the Commission considers inappropriate actions will not be demonstrated or you will be immediately suspended.

2012

Allyson Felix, is the 2012 Olympic gold medal winner, and a three-time world champion – maintaining the title from 2005 through to 2009. She’s the only Olympic female track star to win six gold Medals Representing America. Allyson Felix said her “stomach dropped” when she was asked to participate in a female-empowerment ad for Nike while negotiating maternity protections with the company.” I was like, this is just beyond disrespectful. She was eventually dropped.

2012 - 2016

Gabrielle Douglas, won the 2012 Olympic all around champion and the 2015 World all-around silver medalist Representing America. Returning home her biggest Obstacle was her “HAIR”. She was humiliated because her hair wasn’t acceptable to America. Remember the statement, “She is cute, but my God look at her HAIR”

That phrase elicits in every American black woman a particularly dehumanizing and existential dread — a fear, a state of mind, a poison distilled from over 400 years of not having “good-enough” hair.

2021

Simone Biles member of the 2016 Olympic gymnastics team referred to as the “FINAL FIVE”, where Simone won her 25th World Championship Medal that fall. She now has a Combined 30 Olympic and World Championship Medals. Simone has announced she will be dropping from the Competition due to Mental Issues.

Some believe she’s faking, she just doesn’t have tough skin, how dare you let America down. Again she has nothing.to prove or really explain to anyone. Some want to know exactly what Mental illness she is dealing with. America should be looking at the many Athletes that are dealing with Mental illness and start addressing it. Some black people will say, well we have come along way. How far exactly have we come?

We are still getting crumbs and acting like, yes we are moving forward. Yet we are still being Disrespected, Targeted, and Separated. But, hey to some It’s getting better. We’re moving in the right direction.

“SHUT UP AND PLAY”

“SHUT UP AND PLAY TENNIS”

“SHUT UP AND DRIBBLE”

“JUST SHUT UP PERIOD”

It’s now 2021 and we still represent America with Pride, but still fighting for the same exact thing, Equality, Justice, and Human Rights.

John Morrison Aka Brother John is the Head Coach of the YO.K.O Boxing Team, that has produce 5 Golden Gloves Champions, 3 Ringside Champions and 10 Junior Olympic Champions.

He is the Co-founder of Brother 2 Brother Radio, bringing information to the Community and is the President and co-founder of the 100 Black Fathers for change Organization.

SIMONE BILES SHOULD BE APPLAUDED FOR HER DECISION, NOT JUDGED!

BY AJ WOODSON

who only want to ride with her when she is breaking records and making the country look good cause she winning gold medals.

Instead of judging her, pray for her health and well-being. And wish her well no matter what she decides to do and shut the hell up! She is more than gymnastics and has broken every record and done what no one before her has done.

Even not being her best and being penalized she scored the higher than everyone else. If she feel she not on her A game and can’t perform at the level she know she can and sits this one out, so be it. At the age of 24, she is already and will always be a champion. She has won 30 Olympic and World Champion Medals. Biles is the most decorated American Gymnast and is regarded by many to be one of the greatest and most dominant gymnasts of all time. So what she didn’t bring the country more gold medals in Toyko, her well-being is worth more than any Olympic Gold Medals. At 4′ 8″ she stands taller than all her haters.

I read comments where people said they would rather have see her try and fail, calling her a quitter. She should be applauded and supported for her actions. Mental Health is REAL. You have no idea the pressure she has been under since 13 years old or younger to be the best. No idea what has has survived and endured.

All the haters need to GTFOH with that BS. She is a hero and role model and does not have to be what you want her to be or do what you want her to do. I applaud her! And give the gas face and middle finger to anyone who has anything negative to say!

I have been reading a lot of haters judging Simone Biles from the armchair in their living rooms who could not walk a mile in her shoes. This young lady owes no one anything. Not the sport, not the Olympics, not her team, and especially not this country that don’t love Black People

Get Smart About Lawn Watering

Our New Conservation Rates Are In Effect This Summer

Rates in your area are now based on three tiers that increase as water is used in each tier in single family households. By becoming an efficient household that only uses the amount of water it needs, you will not only help save water, but you will save money on your water bill.

Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon

350 South Sixth Avenue, Mount Vernon NY 10550 ■ 914-668-9580 ■ www.bgcmvny.org

Summer Program

General Information

Who: All Children ages 5-13 years

When: June 28 – August 13, 2021

Mondays – Fridays: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Activities

Breakfast, Lunch, & Snacks, Arts & Crafts, Dance, Field Trips, Fitness & Recreation, Game Room, Gym, Outdoor Recreation, Summer Brain Gain, Swimming, Technology, Theme Days, Performing Arts, STEM

Cost of Program

Registration Fee: $100 (non-refundable)

Early Registration for Current Members & Non-Members

•Pay in full by 06/11 → $750

•Pay in full by 06/25 → $800, •Pay in full by 07/02 → $850

Fees After 07/02 for Current Club Members

•$110 for one child, $100 for each additional sibling (per week)

Fees After 07/02 for Non-Club Members

•$120 for one child, $100 for each additional sibling (per week)

Covid-19 Precautions in Effect -- Mask Required Limited Number of Spaces – Register Early!

A Diverse Workforce for a Diverse County

André G. Early has held some lofty titles, including Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Director, to name a few. But when he talks about his career, he shifts the conversation to terms that mean more to him: Big Brother. Mentor. Counselor. Leader.

He has held a variety of jobs in government and the private sector, but in each instance he has been on a common mission – to help others succeed and be the best they can be. His own approach to career success is simple: when the people who work for him succeed, then so does he.

“One of the key questions I always ask of people is ‘what’s going on with your future? What do you want to do next?’ I tell them ‘I’m going to help you. We’re going to work together.’”

In February, Early was tapped to be a Deputy Commissioner in the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. He oversees teams of County employees who run Westchester’s 50 parks, pools, beaches and recreation programs as well as the Westchester County Center.

In recent weeks, he has been hard at work to ensure that park facilities are in top shape for the busy summer season. “It’s a challenge but my team has been working tirelessly,” he said recently during a visit to Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers.

Early is a Westchester native, raised in the Parkway Homes section of Greenburgh. He graduated from Valhalla High School and is a proud alumnus of Hampton University (Hampton, VA) and Mercy College.

Prior to coming to Westchester County Government, he served as Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Greenburgh’s Department of Community Resources at the Theodore D. Young Community Center.

In Greenburgh he worked with the entire community, supporting everyone from youth to seniors. “Working with youth is always satisfying because that’s our future,” he says. Whether a young person was headed for college or starting a career, Early found it gratifying to get them on the path to success.

One of his goals is to do the same for the Parks Department’s work force. He hopes his presence inspires other people of color to work toward promotions and supervisory responsibilities – and he is committed to helping them get there.

To receive notifications of all upcoming civil service exams, people can sign up to receive email notifications at https://exams.westchestergov.com/webexam/emailSubsc ription/subscribe.htm

“Freedom is never given; it is won.”

- A. Philip Randolph, civil rights activis

COMPLIMENTARY JULY/AUGUST 2021

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