Home Blog Page 12

From Podcast to Proclamations: Watching Earn Your Leisure Become History

Larnez Kinsey
-
3
From Podcast to Proclamations: Watching Earn Your Leisure Become History

Greenburgh Town Clerk Hosts Fireside Chat with Greenburgh’s Own Troy Millings & Rashad Bilal, Founders of Earn Your Leisure

On Saturday, March 21, 2026, I showed up to Greenburgh Town Hall for a Fireside Chat called “You Deserve to Be Rich,” and I already knew I was not sitting in the back like this was something to casually observe.

No.

I was front row. Centered. Ten toes down in my chair, coat still half on because I got there early and wasn’t about to lose that seat. Close enough to hear the mic crackle before anyone spoke. Close enough to see the intention before it turned into words.

I didn’t come to spectate, I came to receive.

And the setting? Greenburgh Town Hall. Not some exclusive rooftop. Not a “members only” situation. A town hall. Which already told me: this conversation about wealth wasn’t being gatekept, it was being given back.

Now, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, co-creators of Earn Your Leisure and New York Times bestselling authors of You Deserve to Be Rich, came in with a presence that wasn’t loud, but it was grounded. Like, “we’ve lived this, we’ve studied this, and we’re here to translate it.”

And from where I was sitting? You feel that kind of energy differently.

You catch the pauses. The looks. The way they lean into certain points like, no, don’t just clap, apply this.

They weren’t just talking about money. They were talking about behavior. About how we’ve been conditioned to survive instead of build. About ownership in a way that made you check yourself without feeling shamed.

And I had a moment, front row, pen hovering, not even writing, where something hit me a little too clean:

I’ve been thinking about money like something to manage… not something to multiply.

And I didn’t like how true that felt.

Because nobody teaches you that survival thinking can follow you even when you’re no longer just surviving.

And let’s talk about the book for a second.

Because You Deserve to Be Rich isn’t just a catchy title, it’s a confrontation.

Like, do you actually believe that?

Or do you believe you’re supposed to struggle, just make enough, just get by?

They were breaking down what it means to master the inner game of wealth. Not just external strategies, but mindset. And let’s be real, if your mindset is still rooted in lack, you can sabotage abundance before it even hits your account.

Earn Your Leisure’s Rashad Bilal [Black Westchester]
Earn Your Leisure’s Troy Millings [Black Westchester]
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins [Black Westchester]
Rashad Bilal, Lisa Greenburgh Town Clerk Lisa Maria Nero & Troy Millings [Black Westchester]
Greenburgh Town Council and Earn Your Leisure [Black Westchester]
Rashad Bilal, AJ Woodson & Troy Millings at Earn Your Leisure Fireside Chat, Greenburgh Town Hall, Saturday, March 21, 2026 [Black Westchester]

And sitting there, front row, I had to check myself again.

Because it’s one thing to hear “you deserve more.”

It’s another thing to realize you might not be moving like you believe it.

Now, Greenburgh Town Clerk Lisa Maria Nero, MPA, was moderating, and I appreciated that she wasn’t just there to keep time; she was there to ground the conversation. She made sure it stayed connected to the people in the room. Like, okay, this sounds good, but how does this apply right here, right now?

That matters.

Because theory without application is just entertainment.

And let’s be clear, this didn’t just “happen.”

There was intention behind this entire setup.

County Executive Ken Jenkins, part of the setup team, helping ensure this kind of conversation actually reached the community. Danielle Millings. Abdoulaye Sow. Sara Bracey White from the Arts Council making sure culture had a presence. Greenburgh Town Councilmembers Hon. Gina Jackson, Hon. Ellen Hendrickx, Hon. Francis Sheehan, and Town Supervisor Paul Feiner coordinated this.

You could feel that this was built on purpose.

And honestly, sitting there, it hit me:

The people closest to the challenges in our community are often the ones closest to the solutions that actually make an impact.

And Earn Your Leisure is proof of that.

Because this didn’t come from theory. This came from lived experience, from navigating the same systems, the same gaps in information, the same questions so many of us have had, and deciding to turn that into access for everybody else.

That’s why it lands.

That’s why it resonates.

Now here’s where it shifted.

Because toward the end, after all the conversation, after all the knowledge dropped, the room moved into something else entirely.

Recognition.

And not light recognition, institutional recognition.

A Black History Award from the Greenburgh Town Clerk.

Proclamations from U.S. Congressman George Latimer, with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol. A letter from Governor Kathy Hochul. Recognition from NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senator Shelley Mayer, naming March 21st their day.

And I’m sitting there, hands folded now, pen down, just watching it stack up, thinking…

This is what it looks like when impact gets documented.

Not just celebrated, but recorded.

Then more:

A proclamation from County Legislator Jewel Williams-Johnson and the 17-member Board of Legislators.

The Mayor of White Plains Justin Brasch, named March 21st Earn Your Leisure Day.

And I had to pause internally like…

a whole day?

Because again, this started as a podcast.

And then it kept building.

A Jumbotron Day is set for April 4, 2026.

Inclusion in a Greenburgh Bicentennial history book.

A street name change.

And the promise of an honorary street naming: EYL Way.

Now listen… a street name?

That’s permanence.

That’s people giving directions using your impact.

That’s history you can literally walk on.

And sitting front row, I didn’t miss any of it.

I saw the pride before it turned into applause. The quiet disbelief. The side glances that said, we really did this. The kind of moments that don’t always make it into recap videos but matter the most.

And I had this realization, clear, uncomfortable, necessary:

This wasn’t just about wealth.

This was about what happens when you stop playing small with information that could change your life.

Because yes, they talked about money. Ownership. Mindset.

But what I witnessed?

Was what it looks like when that knowledge turns into something so impactful that it can’t be ignored, by the people or the institutions around them.

So no, I didn’t walk out with a new investment portfolio magically set up.

Let’s stay grounded.

But I walked out with something just as important:

A shift.

A sharper awareness that wealth isn’t just about what you earn, it’s about what you build, what you multiply, and what outlives you.

And I’m glad I sat in the front row.

Because I didn’t miss a single drop.

Big Tech on Trial: What the Meta and Google Lawsuits Reveal — And Why Black America Should Pay Attention

DAMON K JONES
-
0
Big Tech on Trial: What the Meta and Google Lawsuits Reveal — And Why Black America Should Pay Attention

There is a growing belief that the lawsuits against Big Tech represent accountability. That, finally, companies like Meta Platforms and Google are being forced to answer for the damage they have caused.

That belief is premature.

What we are witnessing is not a restructuring of power, but a negotiation over consequences. The courts are beginning to acknowledge harm, but they have not yet imposed outcomes that fundamentally change behavior. And if history is any guide, Black America will once again feel the consequences of that gap between recognition and action.

The recent $375 million judgment against Meta in New Mexico for failing to protect children from exploitation is being called historic. But historic compared to what? Meta generates over $100 billion in annual revenue. A fine of that size is not a correction. It is a cost of doing business.

Google, on the other hand, is a search monopoly. That is a significant legal finding. But what followed was not a breakup, not a restructuring, but limited remedies that leave its dominance largely intact. A monopoly that remains in place is not a solved problem. It is a recognized problem without enforcement.

This pattern is not new.

Black America has seen this before.

When cigarettes were marketed aggressively in Black communities, it took decades before meaningful legal action occurred. Even then, the result was not the dismantling of tobacco companies, but settlements that allowed them to continue operating while shifting public messaging. The damage—addiction, cancer rates, generational health decline—was already done.

When liquor stores were concentrated in urban neighborhoods, the issue was framed as access and demand rather than long-term outcomes. The result was not fewer stores, but normalization of overexposure.

When pharmaceutical companies flooded communities with opioids, lawsuits followed. Billions were paid in settlements. Yet the communities most affected are still dealing with the aftermath—addiction, broken families, and economic instability.

Now we are watching the same cycle unfold with digital platforms.

The harm is different in form, but similar in structure.

Algorithms reward outrage, conflict, and emotional instability because those behaviors drive engagement. Engagement drives advertising revenue. The longer a user stays on the platform, the more profitable they become. This is not speculation. This is the business model.

For Black users, particularly Black youth, the outcomes are measurable and ongoing, underscoring the persistent digital exploitation that demands urgent attention.

Higher exposure to violent content.

Higher exposure to hypersexualized imagery.

Higher exposure to conflict-driven narratives about race, gender, and identity.

And most importantly, lower exposure to content that produces economic advancement, skill development, or ownership.

This is not about intent. It is about incentives.

A system designed to maximize engagement will not prioritize stability. It will prioritize whatever keeps attention. And in many cases, what keeps attention is dysfunction.

The lawsuits currently moving through the courts—focused on youth addiction, mental health, and platform design—are beginning to expose this reality. But exposure is not the same as correction.

Even when Meta or Google face legal losses, the outcomes tend to be financial penalties rather than systemic reform, highlighting that lawsuits alone rarely drive the structural change needed for true accountability.

No major platform has been forced to change its algorithm at scale.

No major executive has been held personally accountable.

No dominant platform has been broken up despite findings of monopoly.

The result is predictable.

The behavior continues.

This is where Black America must shift its thinking.

The question is not whether Big Tech is harmful. The courts are already beginning to answer that. The real question is whether relying on lawsuits will produce protection.

History suggests otherwise.

Legal victories without structural change tend to arrive after the damage is widespread. They compensate for harm already done, but they rarely prevent future harm. And communities with the least economic leverage are often the last to recover.

If the incentive structure remains unchanged, the outcomes will remain unchanged.

That is the pattern.

The solution, therefore, must go beyond regulation to inspire a sense of agency-ownership of platforms and control over content are essential for meaningful change.

Ownership of platforms.

Control over content distribution.

Intentional use of technology for economic gain rather than passive consumption.

Because in the absence of control, participation becomes exposure.

And exposure, when driven by someone else’s incentives, rarely produces long-term benefit.

The lawsuits against Meta and Google are not meaningless. They are signals. They show that the system recognizes a problem.

But recognition alone is not reform, and this reality should motivate us to pursue deeper, structural change rather than rely solely on legal victories.

And if Black America waits for the courts to solve a problem rooted in incentives, it will be waiting after the next generation has already paid the cost.

The lesson is not new. Only the industry has changed.

Is Black America Ready for the AI Economy?

DAMON K JONES
-
0
Is Black America Ready for the AI Economy?

The question being asked across boardrooms, classrooms, and political circles is whether we are ready for the AI economy.

That question assumes preparation is a matter of awareness.

It is not.

Preparation is a matter of position.

And by that standard, most people are not ready—especially not the communities that have historically been positioned at the bottom of every major economic shift in American history.

The AI economy is not a future event. It is a present reality. The companies shaping it—Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI—are not experimenting. They are deploying. They are scaling. And more importantly, they are consolidating control.

This is not the first time America has experienced a technological shift. The Industrial Revolution replaced manual labor with machines. The Information Age replaced factory work with knowledge work. Each time, those who owned the tools prospered, and those who supplied only labor were forced to adapt—or were left behind.

Artificial intelligence represents a third shift. But unlike previous transitions, this one is moving at a speed that does not allow for generational adjustment. It is happening in real time.

The conversation around AI is often framed in terms of innovation and opportunity. But economics is not driven by intentions. It is driven by incentives and outcomes.

AI reduces the need for labor.

That is not speculation. It is the business model.

Companies are not investing billions of dollars into artificial intelligence to create more jobs. They are investing to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and eliminate redundancies. When a machine can perform the work of ten people faster and cheaper, the economic incentive is clear.

This does not mean all jobs will disappear. It means the value of certain skills will decline rapidly. Writing, coding, customer service, and research—fields once considered stable—are now being automated at scale.

What replaces them is not simply new jobs, but a new hierarchy.

In the AI economy, value shifts from those who do the work to those who own the systems that do the work.

That distinction is critical.

Much of the current excitement around AI focuses on usage—how individuals can use tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok to improve productivity. But using a tool is not the same as owning the system that generates value.

A worker who uses AI may become more efficient.

An owner who deploys AI becomes more profitable.

Those are not the same outcomes.

History offers a clear lesson. During the rise of industrial capitalism, workers who learned to operate machines improved their wages temporarily. But the long-term wealth was accumulated by those who owned the factories.

Today, the “factories” are digital.

They are powered by Nvidia chips, hosted on Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, and trained by companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. These systems are not being built in local communities. They are being built in centralized hubs of capital and control.

This concentration matters.

Because when power is concentrated, opportunity is not evenly distributed.

There are now hundreds of thousands of AI-related companies worldwide. But the overwhelming majority of influence, capital, and infrastructure is controlled by a small group of firms. This is not a decentralized revolution. It is a consolidation.

What makes this moment different is that artificial intelligence is not only reshaping digital work. It is beginning to reshape physical infrastructure as well.

One of the clearest examples of this is energy.

For years, nuclear power has been treated as a political liability. Concerns over safety, cost, and public perception pushed it to the margins of long-term energy planning. But artificial intelligence is changing that calculation in ways that have little to do with politics and everything to do with demand.

AI systems require enormous amounts of electricity. Data centers powering these models operate continuously, processing vast amounts of information without interruption. This level of demand cannot be met by aspiration. It must be met by reliable energy.

Artificial intelligence is now being used to monitor reactor performance, predict mechanical failures before they occur, and optimize output with a level of precision that was not previously possible. In economic terms, it reduces uncertainty.

And when uncertainty is reduced, investment follows.

What was once considered too risky or too expensive becomes viable again.

Nuclear energy, once in decline, is now being reconsidered not as an alternative, but as a necessity for sustaining the AI economy. This is not a shift driven by environmental idealism. It is driven by economic reality.

Solar and wind have their place, but they are intermittent. Artificial intelligence does not operate intermittently. It requires consistent, uninterrupted power.

That requirement is forcing a reevaluation of the entire energy landscape.

And it reveals something deeper about the nature of technological change.

Revolutions in one sector do not remain contained. They expand outward, reshaping industries that appear unrelated. AI is not just changing how people work. It is changing what powers the work.

For Black Americans, the importance of this moment cannot be overstated.

Every major economic shift in this country has produced winners and losers. And too often, Black communities have entered those shifts late, without ownership, without control, and without a strategy rooted in economic outcomes.

After slavery, Black Americans built independent economies—land ownership, businesses, and institutions. But over time, integration without economic control led to participation without power. The result was access without ownership.

The AI economy threatens to repeat that pattern at a much faster pace.

Because this time, the barrier is not just physical capital. It is intellectual capital, technical infrastructure, and system ownership.

If Black Americans approach AI only as users—asking questions, generating content, improving resumes—then the benefits will remain limited.

But if the approach shifts to ownership—building platforms, automating businesses, creating AI-driven services, and controlling digital assets—then the outcomes change entirely.

This is why readiness matters.

It is not about keeping up with technology. It is about not being locked out of the wealth it creates.

AI is projected to generate trillions of dollars in economic value. But wealth does not distribute itself. It flows to those who build, own, and control.

Without intentional positioning, the gap between those who own AI systems and those who are replaced by them will widen.

That gap will not be explained by discrimination alone. It will be explained by economics.

Education systems are not preparing young people for this reality. They are still training students for jobs that are being automated, rather than teaching them how to build within the systems that are replacing those jobs.

This creates a dangerous illusion of progress.

People believe they are preparing for the future, when in reality, they are preparing for a past that no longer exists.

It is often said that technology is neutral. That is true in a narrow sense. But the outcomes produced by technology are not neutral. They reflect the distribution of knowledge, capital, and decision-making power.

If AI continues to develop under the control of a small number of corporations, the benefits will accrue primarily to those corporations and their shareholders.

That is not pessimism. That is precedent.

The question, then, is not whether AI will create wealth. It will.

The question is who will own it.

Communities that approach AI as consumers will benefit differently than those who approach it as producers.

Communities that learn to use AI will see incremental gains.

Communities that build systems on top of AI will see exponential ones.

There is a difference between adapting to an economy and shaping it.

At present, most people are focused on adaptation.

That may not be enough.

The AI economy is not simply another industry. It is an infrastructure that will influence every industry—healthcare, education, finance, media, and beyond.

To be unprepared for it is not to miss an opportunity. It is to risk irrelevance in the systems that determine economic outcomes.

For Black America, that risk carries a historical weight.

Because the cost of being late to an economic shift is not just lost income.

It is lost influence, lost ownership, and lost control over the future.

So, are we ready?

If readiness is defined by awareness, then perhaps.

If readiness is defined by ownership, control, and strategic positioning, then the answer is far less certain.

And in economics, it is not awareness that determines outcomes.

It is position.

Lincoln School Principal selected for Legacy of Leadership Award by Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association

AJ Woodson
-
0
Lincoln School Principal selected for Legacy of Leadership Award by Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association

MOUNT VERNON — The Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association (ESSAA) has bestowed the esteemed Legacy of Leadership Award upon Lincoln School Principal Rebecca Jones, a longstanding educational leader renowned for her steadfast dedication to children and staff. 

Mrs. Jones was chosen from a prestigious group of contenders from all throughout New York State. This award honors a seasoned leader whose unwavering excellence, service, and mentoring have had a long-lasting influence on their school community and the public education sector.

“I’m extremely honored and grateful to receive the Legacy of Leadership Award from the Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association,” she said. “It’s a powerful reminder that the years I’ve dedicated to this work truly matter, and that despite the many challenges in education today, we still have the ability to make a real and lasting impact on students’ lives.” 

The Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association (ESSAA) Legacy of Leadership Award recognizes outstanding school administrators in New York State for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and lasting impact on education. Honorees, such as Middletown’s Mrs. Pace, are recognized for their dedication to students, staff, and the educational community.

As Lincoln School’s principal for sixteen years, Mrs. Jones has guided the institution through years of high academic performance and a persistent emphasis on the complete child.

The school was named a Recognition School by New York State in 2019 under her direction, a title given for notable academic achievements. Students at Lincoln not only met but also exceeded district and state requirements; this pattern has persisted.

“Even today, I’m proud to share that Lincoln continues to earn top scores in both ELA and math, consistently surpassing district and state benchmarks,” the principal said. “It speaks to our teachers’ steadfast dedication to our students and the way they motivate them each and every day to work hard and reach their full potential.” 

Mrs. Jones attributes much of the school’s success to a deeply collaborative culture and a shared sense of purpose among all members of the school community. 

“I have such great respect and admiration for my teaching staff and the pupil support staff and really, everyone in the building,” she said. “I don’t think anyone is more important than anyone else, from the lead teacher to the school nurse to the administrative assistants to the safety monitors and custodial team. I believe that we’re a family and each of us plays an important role in shaping our students’ daily lives.” 

That philosophy has helped shape Lincoln into what Mrs. Jones describes as a “home away from home” for students, a place where academic success is paired with strong social and emotional support. 

“It’s a safe haven where students can turn to teachers and feel comfortable talking with them,” she said. “They know we’re here not only to support their academic needs, but also to help them grow socially and emotionally.” 

Mrs. Jones also emphasizes empowering her staff through trust, resources, and an open-door leadership style. 

“I encourage teachers to use their creative license, to challenge their students and to think outside of the box,” she said.  

“Whatever I can do to help a teacher—whether they want a particular book, a poster or a rug for their classroom, or an online program or resource–whatever it is, I’m happy to give them so that they can shine,” she added. 

Her approach is rooted in listening and shared leadership. 

“I believe in distributive leadership,” Mrs. Jones said. “Teachers, after many years in the classroom, have a great deal of experience and expertise, and I glean from them. I listen to their concerns and what it is they would like to do, and I think we work together very nicely as a team.” 

Mrs. Jones was nominated for the award by her colleagues, a gesture she views with humility. 

“I think for one, I’ve been around a long time and have a wealth of experience,” she said. “I also strive to be kind, fair-minded, and reasonable in all that I do. Above all, people know that I genuinely care about children and have a deep passion for teaching and learning. As an educator, my mission has always been to ensure that every child has access to an exceptional education so that they not only achieve their dreams, but in the words of Marian Wright Edelman, leave this world better than they found it.” 

She added that Lincoln’s culture of high expectations and intrinsic motivation sets it apart. 

“At Lincoln, everyone here holds themselves to the highest expectations,” she said. “They’re not influenced by anything else except their own internal desire to do the right thing by children.” 

Mrs. Jones will be formally honored at ESSAA’s Annual Meeting and Gala Celebration of School Leadership on Friday, April 17th at the Pearl River Hilton, where she will join a select group of educational leaders from across the state. 

Reflecting on her career, the principal expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve generations of students and families. 

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served this district for the past 37 years and to have touched the lives of so many children and their families,” she said. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful recognition. I’m deeply humbled and sincerely appreciative.” 

Black Westchester congratulates Rebecca Jones, a lifelong educator who began as an English Teacher at Nelson Mandela High School in the Mount Vernon City School District upon her graduation from Stony Brook University, for being recognized for her exceptional leadership, innovation, and lasting impact on education.

Women’s History Month Spotlight: Tami Wilson – Feeding Westchester’s First Ever COO

AJ Woodson
-
0
Women’s History Month Spotlight: Tami Wilson – Feeding Westchester’s First Ever COO

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Tami Wilson, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Feeding Westchester, the primary hunger-relief organization in Westchester County, was the Women’s History Month speaker at the Mount Vernon NAACP monthly membership meeting. She discussed his historic appointment, being a Black Women is spaces that weren’t originally designed for her to be in, and so much more.

There was so much I didn’t know about the amazing sister. This month, we celebrate many powerful and amazing Black women who have consistently shaped history and driven change. This veteran food bank executive is most definitely one of these Black Women worthy of celebrating, so allow me to introduce you to Tami Wilson, Feeding Westchester’s first-ever Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Tami Wilson is a senior executive leader with more than 20 years of experience guiding complex nonprofit organizations at the intersection of strategy, operations, and capital stewardship. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Feeding Westchester, where she provides executive leadership across operations, programs, finance, human resources, and business solutions for the county’s largest hunger-relief organization.

Tami is known for her ability to translate community need into sustainable systems, aligning mission, funding, people, and infrastructure to deliver measurable impact. Her work centers on strengthening organizational resilience, improving accountability, and ensuring that resources are deployed thoughtfully and equitably.

Her career spans human services, national health organizations, food systems, and legal advocacy. She began her leadership journey at the North American Family Institute – Westchester Wraparound, overseeing government contracts, compliance, and real estate operations for specialized foster care and therapeutic services. She later served at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, managing enterprise-wide risk, compliance, finance, procurement, and systems across a national network of 41 chapters.

Tami’s food systems leadership includes serving as Vice President of Operations and Administrative Services at the Food Bank For New York City, where she led logistics, disaster response, facilities, and procurement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped guide the distribution of more than 96 million meals while overseeing capital investments to expand infrastructure and community kitchen capacity.

Tami Wilson, Feeding Westchester’s first-ever COO with the Executive Committee of the Mount Vernon branch of the NAACP [Black Westchester]

Most recently, Tami served as the first Chief Facilities and Administration Officer at the Legal Aid Society, supporting over 2,200 staff across 23 locations and strengthening operational alignment in a complex, mission-critical environment.

Tami brings a practitioner’s understanding of how philanthropic capital, public funding, and community partnerships intersect—and how decisions made upstream affect real outcomes downstream. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University and a Master’s degree in Facilities and Operations Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Tami lives in New Rochelle with her two children and their dog, Cinnamon.

We proudly celebrate Tami Wilson, a true Black Westchester Legend!!!

When Mommy Loses Her Job—Who Feeds the Kids? By Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam, LSW

Black Westchester
-
0
When Mommy Loses Her Job—Who Feeds the Kids? By Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam, LSW

The U.S. economy may appear steady on the surface, but Black women are being pushed out of the workforce at alarming rates, and our children are paying the price.

In July 2025, the unemployment rate for Black women aged 20 and older rose to 6.3%, up from 5.8% just a month earlier, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even more concerning, from February to April, Black women lost over 304,000 jobs, despite the overall U.S. workforce adding 175,000 jobs during that same period. These numbers mark the largest month-over-month increase in unemployment for any race or gender (The Root, 2025).

This isn’t a coincidence. It’s a consequence of systemic inequities, federal job cuts, and the widespread dismantling of DEI programs across sectors that once offered Black women pathways to stability and advancement.

Black women comprise 12% of the federal workforce—the highest of any minority group (EEOC, 2021). With over 84,000 federal jobs cut since January, and the removal of DEI roles in industries like tech, retail, and healthcare, Black women are experiencing disproportionate economic loss.

And when Black women lose their jobs, their children are at greater risk of hunger.

I’ve spent my career as a social worker, educator, researcher, and mother, and I know this reality all too well: when a parent—especially a single mother—loses income, the ripple effect hits the kitchen table first.

Food insecurity is not just about empty stomachs. It’s about mental health, academic performance, physical development, and long-term opportunity. Hungry children struggle to focus in school. They face higher rates of anxiety and depression. They are less likely to graduate and more likely to fall through systemic cracks.

Cuts to food programs, school meal initiatives, and local farm partnerships—paired with job loss among primary caregivers—create a perfect storm. And it’s our children who are left in the wreckage.

This moment demands more than concern. It requires a reckoning with how we value the lives and labor of Black women—and how we protect the children who depend on them.

We must tell the full story: Unemployment isn’t just an economic indicator—it’s a child welfare crisis. And when mothers lose jobs, it’s not just a household budget that suffers. It’s a child’s next meal, their ability to learn, and their chance to thrive.

Let’s stop treating food insecurity and joblessness as separate problems. They are deeply connected, and both must be addressed with urgency, equity, and compassion.

#WhenMommyLosesHerJob #FoodJustice #BlackWomenAtWork #SocialWork #EducationEquity #PolicyMatters #DEIRollback #FoodInsecurity #ChildWellbeing #EquityInAction #BlackMothersMatter #LinkedInVoices

This article originally appeared in the August 2025 issue of Black Westchester Newspaper and is being reshared now for Women’s Month.

Editor’s Note: Over 300,000 Black women left the workforce or lost their jobs in the first half of 2025, marking a significant economic downturn for this demographic. Reports indicate a 7.3% unemployment rate for Black women, with sharp job losses in the public sector, a retreat from diversity initiatives, and increased automation. 

Here are some key details regarding the high numbers of job losses for Black women include:

  • Massive Workforce Exit: Between February and April 2025, approximately 300,000–320,000 Black women left the labor force.
  • Disproportionate Impact: While the overall U.S. unemployment rate hovered around 4.4%, the rate for Black women increased to 7.3%. In some periods, Black women accounted for over 50% of all female job losses.
  • Public Sector Layoffs: Job losses are heavily linked to cuts in government positions, where Black women are frequently employed.
  • Factors Contributing to Losses: Key factors driving this trend include corporate retreats from DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, AI automation, and potential targeting of roles, say experts per Forbes.
  • Long-Term Impact: As 69% of Black mothers are primary earners, this trend significantly impacts household financial stability.

Experts note that Black women often serve as “economic shock absorbers” and that these employment trends act as a warning signal for the broader economy, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Unemployment for Black women has reached critical levels, with rates rising significantly to over 7% by late 2025 and early 2026, marking a sharp contrast to earlier, lower figures. This trend indicates a widening disparity, as their unemployment rate is nearly double that of white women and is driven by high job losses.

Women’s Month Spotlight: Maureen Walker – First African-American Elected Mount Vernon City Comptroller

AJ Woodson
-
0
Women’s Month Spotlight: Maureen Walker – First African-American Elected Mount Vernon City Comptroller

Guyanese-born Maureen Walker made history in November 1993 when she became the first woman, the first African-American, and the first person of Caribbean descent to be elected to serve as Comptroller in the City of Mount Vernon. She served six consecutive terms from 1993 to 2017.

During her tenure, Comptroller Walker has achieved her objective of maintaining the City of Mount Vernon as a financially stable and viable municipality. This financial stability has resulted in ongoing budget surpluses, enabling the city to keep property tax increases to a minimum. As a result, Mount Vernon remained affordable for residents and businesses.  Under her leadership, the Department of Finance, on behalf of the City of Mount Vernon, had been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for many years. Maureen Walker was re-elected to the position of Comptroller of Mount Vernon in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013. 

Maureen is a New York State Certified Public Accountant. The Plaisance native holds an MBA in Finance from the University of New Haven and a B.Sc. in Accounting (magna cum laude) from Brooklyn College. Prior to being elected to the office of Comptroller, Maureen was employed as an Auditor with Arthur Anderson, & Company and as a Senior Financial Analyst with The Equitable Life Assurance Company.

As City Comptroller, Mrs. Walker was responsible for the Finance and Payroll Departments. As Comptroller, she managed the City’s Budget, oversaw insurance coverage, negotiated union contracts, tax collection, management of City-owned real estate, Risk Management, General Accounting, and Record Keeping, in addition to overseeing investments and financing of Capital Projects.

The Comptroller serves on the Board of Estimate (which approves City Contracts), the Real Estate Committee, the Mount Vernon Renewal Agency (which plans for the revitalization of the City), the Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency, and the Capital Projects Board.

Maureen was an Adjunct Professor of Finance and Accounting at Iona College and a frequent speaker on various accounting and finance issues as they related to her job as City Comptroller. In addition, she was a member of the New York State Government Finance Officers’ Association, Inc., the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Westchester Municipal Finance Association.

Maureen demonstrated her commitment and concern for the people of the citizens of Mount Vernon through her years of dedicated service in professional and volunteer endeavors. Mrs. Walker served on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement and is a Consultant to the Junior Achievement arm of the Mount Vernon Public Schools System. She was a member of the Mount Vernon Business and Professional Women’s Club, Community Aid Club of Mount Vernon, and WESTHELP-Mount Vernon.

On Tuesday, March 24th, Mount Vernon Comptroller Dr. Darren M. Morton and the City of Mount Vernon will hold an unveiling Ceremony of the official portrait of former MV City Comptroller, The Honorable Maureen Walker, in the City Council Chambers. The event will recognize her years of leadership, service, and lasting contributions to the City of Mount Vernon.

We proudly celebrate Maureen Walker, a true Black Westchester Legend!

Excerpt from the book, “Black Westchester Celebrates Black Women Of Westchester,” available on Amazon or email BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com to purchase your autographed copies.

Westchester Youth Take Civic Action in Albany, Advocate for Change on Illegal Smoke Shops

DAMON K JONES
-
0
Westchester Youth Take Civic Action in Albany, Advocate for Change on Illegal Smoke Shops

Albany, NY — February 14, 2026 — A group of young leaders from Westchester County is proving that civic engagement has no age limit.

Youth members of the Westchester County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., traveled to Albany alongside their parents to participate in the NYSBPHA Legislative Caucus Weekend, gaining firsthand exposure to how government works and how policy decisions shape their communities. The delegation included approximately 40 young people aged 9-17 and 20 adults, all participating in the chapter’s Civic–Legislative focus area.

Throughout the weekend, the students engaged directly with key political figures, including Majority Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Jamaal Bailey, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, and Westchester County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins. These conversations focused on how legislation impacts communities of color, particularly in Westchester County.

One issue stood out among the young advocates: the growing presence of illegal pop-up smoke shops. The students voiced concerns about how these unregulated businesses disproportionately affect communities of color, particularly when located near schools and parks. Their advocacy was reinforced by remarks from Senator Landon C. Dais, who emphasized the importance of early civic engagement and its long-term impact on public service and leadership.

The weekend also included participation in the Youth Leadership Summit, sponsored by the I Will Graduate Organization, where students strengthened their leadership and public speaking skills. In a notable moment, the group had the opportunity to meet Governor Kathy Hochul, further expanding their understanding of state leadership and governance.

But the trip’s impact did not end in Albany.

Following Caucus Weekend, the youth continued their advocacy efforts back home, meeting with Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and representatives from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. The discussions centered on the harmful effects of illegal smoke shops on young people, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods.

Taking action beyond conversation, the group launched a petition calling for tighter regulations and enforcement against illegal smoke shops. To date, the petition has gathered more than 200 signatures. In addition, the youth submitted campaign letters to elected officials to ensure their concerns are heard at every level of government.

In a creative push to inspire their peers, the chapter also produced an original song titled “Power Has No Age: Big Impact. Real Change.”—a message-driven anthem encouraging young people to engage in civic life and advocate for issues that matter in their communities.

Through initiatives like this, the Westchester County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. continues to equip young people with the tools, confidence, and awareness needed to become informed advocates and future leaders.

The organization also extended thanks to Senator Jamaal Bailey, Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Senator Shelley Mayer, and Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow for their continued support of youth civic engagement efforts.

For those inspired by the movement, the message is clear: real change starts with action. Community members are encouraged to follow Jack and Jill Westchester Teens on Instagram to learn more about the initiative and support the ongoing petition.

Media Contact:
Lydia Adegbola, Chapter Editor
Westchester County, New York Chapter – Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated
Phone: 917-604-2124
Email: jjwceditorladegbola@gmail.com

Because as these young leaders have shown—power has no age. Big impact leads to real change.

Mount Vernon’s Future Coders, Climate Leaders, and AI Translators: Inside ELOC’s Youth Program

Larnez Kinsey
-
1
Mount Vernon’s Future Coders, Climate Leaders, and AI Translators: Inside ELOC’s Youth Program

By Larnez Kinsey

Westchester County, let’s be very clear about something: when we talk about opportunity, we cannot pretend it lands evenly. It doesn’t. Not in a county where Metro-North can take you from Yonkers to Grand Central in under 35 minutes, yet access to elite academic pipelines can still feel miles away depending on your zip code. That is the contradiction, and it is exactly the kind of gap Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) is working to close.

Based in Mount Vernon, the nonprofit has built a reputation for connecting environmental justice, technology education, and youth leadership across Westchester County. Through programs that introduce students to artificial intelligence, coding, environmental science, and workforce development, ELOC is preparing young people for a future defined by technology and global challenges. And now the organization is helping connect local students to a powerful new opportunity, a national HBCU-centered pathway into careers in medicine and dentistry. Because talent is everywhere, but exposure is not. 

On February 20, 2026, ELOC, under the leadership of Board Chair Talbert Thomas, announced a competitive national opportunity for high school seniors interested in pursuing careers in medicine or dentistry through an HBCU-based academic track. The opportunity was brought directly to ELOC by Board Member Dr. Keith C. Norris, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Norris is internationally recognized for his work in chronic kidney disease research and advancing health equity, and his career reflects the power of the HBCU educational pipeline, from Howard-trained physician to national leader in medicine and research. When he identifies a program as an exceptional pathway for future healthcare professionals, it carries weight. This is not simply about college admission. It is about structured preparation for competitive careers in healthcare, built within the unique academic and cultural environment of an HBCU.

An HBCU experience is not just about campus tradition. It is about academic rigor with high expectations, cultural affirmation without apology, faculty mentorship grounded in lived understanding, leadership development rooted in legacy, and a powerful alumni network spanning medicine, research, public policy, and public health. For many students, HBCUs provide an environment where identity is not an obstacle but a foundation. For others, it is about focused preparation and strong mentorship within a supportive academic community. Either way, historically Black colleges and universities have produced generations of leaders across industries, including medicine and dentistry, and as Dr. Norris’ career demonstrates, that pipeline works.

Westchester is a county of contrasts, filled with top-ranked school districts and corporate headquarters, waterfront developments in New Rochelle, and historic neighborhoods throughout the region. It is also a place where some schools have advanced STEM labs while others offer far fewer advanced technology courses. Across the county, there are seniors who meet the eligibility benchmarks of a 3.5 GPA, a 1310 SAT or 28 ACT score, and current high school senior status. The excellence is here, but not every student has equal exposure to accelerated healthcare pathways, especially those tied to the HBCU experience. That is not about ability. It is about information flow, and information flow can determine life trajectory.

ELOC’s work goes beyond connecting students to academic opportunities. The organization is also preparing young people for the rapidly evolving technology landscape. Through its youth programming, students learn coding, environmental science, and digital data tools that are reshaping industries worldwide. In many ways, today’s students must become bilingual in artificial intelligence. Just as earlier generations had to learn the language of the internet, the next generation must learn how to work alongside AI systems that are transforming fields from healthcare to environmental research. Doctors increasingly rely on predictive diagnostics powered by machine learning, environmental scientists analyze climate data using advanced algorithms, and public health researchers depend on digital modeling tools. Understanding these technologies will be essential for tomorrow’s workforce, and programs like ELOC’s ensure that students are not just consumers of technology but creators and leaders in the industries shaping the future.

What sets ELOC apart is its ability to connect technology education with environmental leadership. Students in the program explore real issues affecting their own communities, including urban heat islands, air pollution patterns, water quality concerns, and climate impacts on local neighborhoods. Using tools like geographic information systems and digital data platforms, they learn to analyze environmental challenges and develop community-driven solutions. There is a guiding principle behind that work: the people closest to the challenges are often the ones closest to the solutions. By giving students the technical knowledge to analyze environmental data and the leadership skills to advocate for change, ELOC is cultivating the next generation of environmental and technology leaders.

ELOC’s work is gaining increasing recognition across the region. On February 14, 2026, the organization was featured in Westchester Magazine for its efforts to expand access to artificial intelligence and computer science education for young people. The coverage reinforced its growing role as a leader in equitable STEM education and youth leadership development. Since its founding, ELOC has graduated more than 500 students and continues to train over 100 students each year through its environmental leadership initiatives. That is not just a program. It is a pipeline.

For students interested in the HBCU healthcare pathway, the application deadline is March 30, 2026.

BW MARCH 2026 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH (Digital Edition)

AJ Woodson
-
0
BW MARCH 2026 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH (Digital Edition)

Welcome to our 2026 Women’s History Month issue. We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off this issue than by celebrating the Life & Legacy of the Legendary Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, to whom we dedicate this issue.

In this issue, we also celebrate Black Women who have shattered glass ceilings over and over and over again. As the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester, I wanted to document the stories that highlight the beauty of blackness and the bravery of these natural leaders. Those who shattered glass ceilings dedicated themselves to making their community better and paved the way for both young Black boys and girls, who I especially feel need to read this book. Since we are often inspired by the Black Women who use their voices, positions and platforms to redefine the future while navigating racism, sexism, colorism, classism, ableism, heterosexism and other forms of oppression or “isms,” and still they rise like Maya Angelou said, it was only fitting in this issue that we celebrate African Americans Women who made Her-Story!

1...111213...178Page 12 of 178