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MVCSD records highest graduation rate in decades

AJ Woodson
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MVCSD records highest graduation rate in decades

The Mount Vernon City School District’s 2023-2024 graduation rate climbed to a level not seen in more than two decades. The projected graduation rate – 79.9% – increased 5.6 percentage points over the previous year. The District utilized data to provide feedback for targeted progress monitoring and intervention to make this increase possible. Targeted monitoring and intervention also allowed faculty and staff to foster a connection with students to help them succeed. 

Graduation rates will become official when the New York State Education Department releases its numbers. 

Mount Vernon High School registered its highest graduation rate since 2000, with 82.7% of students graduating. Denzel Washington School of the Arts graduated 93.5% of its students and Mount Vernon STEAM Academy had a graduation rate of 90.7%. 

Rebecca Turner Academy graduated seven of its 37 students for a 21.9% rate. Most of these students would not have graduated had they not had the opportunity to attend RTA. 436 students graduated from the District in total.

“This graduation rate improvement is a source of great pride for the District, and it shows that we are on the right track academically,” said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. “Through intense data-management, personalized instruction, and the commitment of our teachers and staff, we were able to do something as a District that has not been accomplished in decades. We are not going to stop here, and we will work persistently to continue this trend. Our goal is always for every student in Mount Vernon to receive a diploma, and we have made tremendous progress toward that goal.”

Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Dr. Marie Gaboton-Swift presented the graduation rates at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. 

She credited much of these improvements to data monitoring and implementing interventions with students based on data. During Dr. Smith’s tenure as Associate Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services, the District began monitoring seniors before June, and that has continued and expanded.

Throughout the District, data is used heavily in how programs are implemented and changed. There are targeted performance monitoring, intervention and data analysis and monitoring. This use of data gives administrators and teachers a firm understanding of what needs to be done to further improve. 

At the root of this growth was a combined effort of the four high school principals, their teams and teachers, the Pupil Personnel Services Department, and the Technology Department. 

“The other thing that we have done is we have had targeted intervention,” said Dr. Gaboton-Swift. “We are trying to be very purposeful with after school credit recovery with Saturday school Regents prep. We also have target progress monitoring, even at the District office with transcript reviews for grades nine through 12, which was started by Dr. Smith.”

The District has put an emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL) as well. Most counselors have interns, provided for by the Mercy HEART Grant. The interns provide additional staff to handle tasks in the office, and counselors can spend more time focusing on students. 

Mount Vernon High School, which has been utilizing coordination of services teams (COST), has been a major factor in the District’s graduation rate improvements. The school’s graduation rate is typically below the District level, but it is above the District rate of 79.9% for 2023-2024.

The COST system is similar to the Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) that is used in other schools. Principal Dr. Pauline Pearce and Assistant Principal Tiffany Izzo joined Dr. Gaboton-Swift to explain how they made advancements at their school.

“In those teams we look at the data,” said Ms. Izzo. “We pull data on attendance, trends in attendance, academics and SEL. We collected a lot through talking to the teachers and talking to our support staff that are part of that team. In that team, we really worked on reaching out to the individual students in a very personalized way that was focused on where their attendance was going, what do they need to graduate and where we were seeing their grades going.”

The coordination of services teams consist of faculty and staff from the school that work together to ensure that students are making the progress they need to graduate. If a student needs to go to counseling, get extra afternoon help or make a call, safety monitors are helping them as members of the support team. Each grade level at MVHS has their own support team led by an assistant principal.

“At the New Mount Vernon High School, we are indeed building community because there is not one stakeholder in that school who is not participating in all of the initiatives that we have put in place,” said Dr. Pearce. “We are all working together for the betterment of our children, and we are extremely, extremely proud of the work that we are doing.”

Mount Vernon High School takes a personalized approach to rewarding students in order to keep them motivated. Students receive rewards for their grades and attendance, which are the two biggest factors in a student’s success. One reward that seniors can earn this year is the ability to eat off-campus for lunch.

Meticulous data-keeping has also allowed the District to reduce graduation rate discrepancies seen in past years. For example, if a student moved to a new school district but was discharged improperly, they were counted as a drop-out. This negatively impacted graduation rates, and it has been corrected with new registration and discharge processes and training. 

Through data analysis, personalized plans for students and committed teachers, the District has been able to make steady improvements to its graduation rates over the last several years.

Former County Legislator Damon Maher’s Response to Latitia James’ Decision In The Police Shooting Of Jarrel Garris

AJ Woodson
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Former County Legislator Damon Maher’s Response to Latitia James’ Decision In The Police Shooting Of Jarrel Garris

My thoughts so far:

Leaving aside for now the AG’s debatable conclusion that no successful homicide case of any kind could be brought before a Westchester County judge and jury, there are several questions that should have been asked, in a 14-month investigation, to better understand how an initial minor incident spiraled so badly out of control and how this sort of situation can be averted in the future.

For example, what were the words and sense of urgency in the 911 dispatch that Det. Conn heard? Could the AG release the audio of that dispatch and the related call from the storekeeper? Given Mr. Garris’s bizarre behavior described at the store, was there a referral to the Project Alliance mobile mental health unit by the dispatcher? Did any of the three officers stop at least a moment to consider calling in that unit or other backup in view of Mr. Garris’s size and his strangely flat affect? Did they all give themselves the time and distance necessary to think that through?

Some of us on the County Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force had talked about retention and sharing of data, gathered from prior encounters or from discussions with family members or neighbors, regarding people with known psychiatric/behavioral issues. Is that information being gathered by police departments? Were there available previous notes on Mr. Garris’s condition readily available? On family or other support network nearby that could have been brought in before the situation escalated?

Det. Conn says that he had encountered Mr. Garris just minutes before the store incident and thought that his expression was “vacant” and that he was “on drugs.” (And the report says an autopsy showed marijuana and PCP toxicity, although the levels aren’t revealed.) Shouldn’t that have been all the more reason to consider de-escalation rather than rushing first to physically overwhelm him?

On that fateful and hot late afternoon in July, Det. Conn was on a “special overtime traffic detail,” which is a common feature around all the new building construction and infrastructure work in New Rochelle. How many consecutive hours had he been working before the incident?  How many hours had he logged the seven days before? Thirty days before? May an officer’s fatigue and/or lack of patience may have been fatal to a citizen and possibly to himself and his fellow officers? There are strict federal and state rules on truck drivers’ consecutive driving hours. Are there similar rules or contract terms relating to police officers and how are they enforced?

As the report indicates, other officers responded to the “10-13”.  It may be helpful to hear: (a) what they saw; (b) what they discussed among themselves about what happened; (c) how the situation could have been handled differently; and (d) what they would later report about the incident. Were any or all of those others interviewed? What do their BWCs tell us about what they all discussed in the immediate aftermath of the shooting?

The AG’s report apparently forecloses the possibility of a criminal trial, although I suppose the local DA could pick up the case or the Feds could do so on a civil rights violation theory.  But a large monetary judgment or settlement in a civil case against the City, which involves a less onerous burden of proof for the grieving family of the deceased citizen, looms as a distinct possibility. Also, the AG’s report is not a determination of any particular officer’s ability to continue to perform the role of a police officer in this City, which is likewise governed by a different standard of proof and is currently in the purview of the Police Commissioner alone.

And, to repeat, we need to figure out how to make the future better. The AG has some useful recommendations but we need to insure that we have specific improvements — in terms of hiring, training, tactics and procedures — demanded by the public in the City of New Rochelle. For that, we need a strong, independent civilian board of police oversight and accountability.

Here are some thoughts from a person with over 25 years of experience as a big-city “line prosecutor,” District Attorney and State Attorney General:

“If there aren’t serious consequences for police brutality in our justice system, what kind of message does that send to police officers? And what kind of message does it send to the community?

Public safety depends upon public trust….It depends on a justice system that is steeped in the notions of objectivity and impartiality…

“But if Black and brown people are more likely to be stopped, arrested, and convicted than their white counterparts…when egregious use of deadly force is not met with consequence, is it any wonder that the very credibility of these public institutions is on the line?” – Sen. Kamala Harris, The Truths We Hold (2019)

Chancellor David Banks Unveils Bold Vision for the Future of NYC Schools: Building a Foundation for Inclusivity and Innovation

Larnez Kinsey
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Chancellor David Banks Unveils Bold Vision for the Future of NYC Schools: Building a Foundation for Inclusivity and Innovation

On Tuesday, September 17th I had the opportunity to tune into NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks’ “State of the Schools” address, and let me tell you, the man came with a vision. We’re talking about a clear, bold blueprint for the future of education in this city—a plan rooted in resilience, innovation, and, most importantly, the diversity that makes New York City what it is. This wasn’t your typical “we’ve done this and that” speech.Banks was laying down the foundation for something new, something reimagined.

Banks kicked things off by talking about the “building blocks” of education. You know—the essentials that should be in place for any system to work: academics, safety, and civic engagement. And after the madness of the pandemic, you could feel him when he said there’s no going back to the way things were. He made it plain: “We needed a fresh, reimagined approach,” and Banks is all about building strong foundations for our kids.

The big gems of his plan are the NYC Reads and NYC Solves programs. NYC Reads is already expanding into over 840 elementary schools, and it’s designed to boost literacy across the board. Meanwhile, NYC Solves is focused on math, already hitting up 400 high schools and 100 middle schools to help students get more confident with their problem-solving skills. And here’s the kicker—starting right now, every single 3-K and Pre-K student across the city will be learning from the same top-tier curriculum. That means no matter where you live, every kid is getting the same opportunity. Banks called it “unprecedented in NYC,” and he’s right. It’s a game-changer for making sure all our kids start on equal ground.

But Banks didn’t just focus on academics. He went deep into some real issues, like the rise of antisemitism in schools. Banks wasn’t afraid to address it head-on, talking about his testimony before Congress earlier this year and calling out the disturbing incident at Hillcrest High, where students went after a teacher for supporting Israel. He made it crystal clear that NYC schools are supposed to be safe for every single student, no matter their race, religion, or background.

Then Banks dropped some major news about what’s coming for the 2024-2025 school year. He’s launching HBCU Early College Prep in Southeast Queens, where students can earn an Associate’s degree—for free—while still in high school. Let that sink in. This is huge for Black and brown students who’ve been looking for opportunities to level up. And if that wasn’t enough, Banks is also expanding Bard Early College in the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn, giving more students access to accelerated academic programs. The man is making moves!

Banks touched on how artificial intelligence is going to start showing up in classrooms, and he wasn’t just talking tech for tech’s sake. He wants AI to be used to create personalized learning experiences for students and to give teachers more insight into how their kids are doing. But Banks is no fool—he knows AI can’t replace the human element of teaching. He’s making sure that while AI is helping streamline things like transportation and enrollment, it’s not going to take away from the power teachers have in the classroom.

Throughout his speech, Banks highlighted the need for cultural competence in the school system. He knows NYC is a melting pot of cultures, and education needs to reflect that. He talked about how important it is for every student to feel seen and respected, no matter where they come from or what their background is. His vision for NYC schools is one where inclusivity is at the core, where every student learns in a space that celebrates and honors the rich diversity of this city.

David Banks wasn’t just giving a status update. This was a forward-thinking look at how NYC’s schools are about to level up. His vision is rooted in equity, inclusivity, and innovation. He’s building something that’s going to prepare these kids not just for tomorrow, but for the next decade and beyond. And in a city that’s all about bouncing back and pushing forward, you already know this kind of leadership is exactly what NYC’s school system needs.

David Banks is doing more than keeping up with the times—he’s shaping the future. And for New York City? That’s exactly what we need.

Haitians for Harris is Launched!

AJ Woodson
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Haitians for Harris is Launched!

A group of Haitian-Americans alarmed by the recent and unfounded attacks on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, have launched Haitians for Harris.  The group joins several other self-identifying groups that have launched in support of the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris as she seeks the presidency along with her running mate, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, candidate for Vice President.

In addition to voter education; where to vote, how to register, and absentee and mail-in balloting information, the group will infuse general education and information about Haiti, its role on the world stage and the many who came here in search of a better life and those who have risen to prominence in the arts, politics, sports, education, and the sciences. The group will also encourage members to donate to and volunteer for the Harris/Walz campaign.

“We could not pass up the opportunity to educate people about their Haitian-American neighbors and to get Haitians to come together for a good cause”, said Liz Johnson, a founding member. “Haitians and Haitian-Americans have greatly contributed to the United States.  We have also been terribly impacted by the game of political football that has played out since Haitians declared their independence in 1804. We thank everyone who contributed to raising awareness of the plight of Haiti, Haitians, and Haitian-Americans!” 

HAITIANS FOR HARRIS V3 – 1

Haitians for Harris is a grassroots campaign formed out of an imperative to refocus the attention of the electorate to helping Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz win the White House in November. Too many people, including the media have allowed themselves to be led down a rabbit hole of rumors – which has caused considerable harm – not just for the people of Springfield, Ohio, but throughout the Haitian diaspora. Haitians for Harris plan to refocus by contributing helpful voter information as well as history and facts about Haitians and Haitian-Americans, which number in the hundreds of thousands in the U.S. The group will also encourage members to donate to and volunteer for the Harris/Walz campaign.

For more information visit www.haitians4harris.com. 

Remembering Omar Kharem

Black Westchester
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Remembering Omar Kharem

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’oon. ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we are returning’. [The Noble Qur’an, 2:156].

Omar Abdul Kharem returned to the Creator on September 11, 2024, at the age of 97. He was born in New York City on August 16, 1927, the son of Isabelle O’Neil and Sidney Grant. He spent much of his life living in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, eventually settling in Yonkers. He was surrounded by art, theater, and music, with household visitors the likes of Fats Waller, as well as many other artists.

As a young man, while in service for the Army Air Force segregated unit, Omar traveled the United States during segregation, as well as serving in the Pacific. This experience had a profound and lasting effect on him. While on the island of Guam, he began to study music and learned to play the clarinet. Once discharged he continued his studies at the Hartnett School of Music in NYC, also studying the Conga drum. Music, from his childhood introduction through his later studies, would remain a lifelong love and influenced his work as a jazz musician and composer. 

In the late 1950s, Mr. Kharem became interested in photography, which became his major focus, though music remained ever-present in his life. He spent many years working as a freelance photographer. His work has been published in The New York Times, The Village Voice, Panorama Magazine, on album covers, and many publications of the work of African American photographers.

Having many friends in the then thriving Jazz world Mr. Kharem had a unique opportunity to perform with and photograph some of America’s great Jazz musicians as they improvised and played in clubs, lofts, and other venues. He photographed John Coltrane, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Ron Carter, Betty Carter, Archie Shepp, Alice Coltrane, Charles Moffett, Jackie McLean, Lee Morgan, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Eddie Mathias, Billy Harper and many others. The list is long.

His love for music and photography enhanced each other. When he turned 90 years old Omar and his jazz band finally recorded many of his own original beautiful straight-ahead jazz compositions he wrote over half a century ago.  He was honored when, back in the day, John Coltrane performed one of his original compositions at a club. 

Influenced by Cartier-Bresson, Al Hicks, Eugene Smith, and Gordon Parks, photography became a true art for Mr. Kharem. His black-and-white images documenting NYC during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s evoke another time, another era which urge you to look further into the subject before you. Whether it’s a portrait of someone young or old, a candid street scene, or a shadow falling on a building, the power of his imagery is always thought provoking. Omar worked with  Gordon Parks, both men pioneering African American artists, who documented civil rights, poverty and African American culture through photography and other artistic expressions. 

Mr. Kharem’s work has been exhibited at galleries and museums throughout NYC, including The Studio Museum of Harlem, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Red Ring Gallery, The Blue Door, The Brooklyn Museum, MINT, The Middle Collegiate Church Gallery, The 4th Street Photo Gallery, Kenkeleba Gallery, Hey Check This Out Gallery, The Jazz Forum, among many others. Again, the list is long. 

In his personal life, Omar was a very unique and interesting person. With most people, with whom he interacted, Mr. Kharem offered the knowledge and insight he had gained through his life experiences and personal study. Often this knowledge pertained to the value of quality art and creativity, political awareness around issues of racial injustice in society, and deep philosophical explorations about the nature of time and reality. He was a deep thinker. He was also imaginative. He loved science fiction and all kinds of books on various topics. He loved language too, and spoke English Spanish, and much Arabic. Omar studied Islam and accepted Islam as his faith early in life. 

His creativity had few limits. In addition to his more known endeavors of photography and Jazz composition, Omar rode his bike throughout the City and climbed trees in the parks. He also wrote poetry, and worked on inventing his own language at one point!  

Omar was a very humorous man, known to make funny faces and “mess with people” with joking and wordplay. He had a loud and hearty laugh that equaled his smiling eyes.  He enjoyed sweet things, quiet conversation, old movies, and tennis. Omar lived simply and was never focused on material possessions or notoriety. He was a one-of-a-kind individual who did not have predictable personality traits and did not assimilate into standard cultural behavior patterns. He was always his true self and unique.  He had a strut like no other and was always, hands down, the coolest cat in the room. 

There were so many decades of change during Omar’s almost century-long life and he experienced so much.  He was loved by so many and has left us with the gift of his vision, for us to see what he saw during his life through his photography and through his music.   He will be greatly missed and we will celebrate his time in this world and all that he gave to everyone he encountered.

Omar Kharem leaves behind many family and friends.  

Mary Grant (deceased),  Marion Bunce-Kharem, Linda Mendelson,  his children, Haroon Kharem (Audrey Kharem), Mohammad Kharem, Nafisa Kharem, Leila Kharem (Percy Thomas), and Ahmed Kharem (Christina Kharem).  Omar’s legacy includes many Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Great Great Grandchildren: Omar Kharem (Tanya Kharem) & children Mary (Kiara) Destiny (Londynn and Logan). Jeremiah Kharem & children: Shamiah, Maia, Jeremiah Jr, Daniel Kharem (Sarah Tempson-Kharem) and their children Nasir, Adrian, Malachi, Maliah, Kelli Chappelle  (Mitchell Chappelle) and their children Alanna, Xavier and Khalil, Chloe Wozniak (Max Katzenberg) and their children David and Liev Ian Wozniak, Fiona Wozniak and Sean Wozniak, Jasmine Brumley-Taub (Brett DiPillo) Li Mansur Kharem, Maya Kharem, and Amal Kharem.

And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith – We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds’. [The Noble Qur’an, 52:21]

We pray Allah reunites us with our loved ones in His Eternal Gardens of Paradise. By the will of Allah, we shall all meet again. Ameen.

We will love you forever. 

 مع السلامة Ma’a salama Papa

Family of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Condemns Grand Jury Decision in Jarrel Garris Case

DAMON K JONES
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Family of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Condemns Grand Jury Decision in Jarrel Garris Case

The family of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. has issued a scathing statement following a grand jury’s decision not to indict Detective Steven Conn in the shooting death of Jarrel Garris in New Rochelle, New York.

In their statement, the Chamberlain family expressed deep disappointment with the outcome, drawing parallels to their own experience and the broader pattern of police violence cases across the nation. They criticized the familiar refrain of “insufficient evidence” used to justify the lack of charges against officers involved in fatal shootings.

The family took aim at what they describe as a “universal playbook” used by officers to justify their actions, particularly the claim of fearing for one’s life. In this case, they noted Detective Conn’s assertion that he needed to protect himself and others. However, the Chamberlains argue that video evidence contradicts this narrative, showing the detective “approaching and escalating the situation, not retreating or de-escalating.”

The statement also lambasted the recommendation by the Attorney General’s office for the New Rochelle Police Department to upgrade its training and policies on use of force. The family dismissed this as “nothing more than an insult – a slap in the face of justice.”

Broader criticisms were leveled at the New York Attorney General’s office, with the family accusing it of consistently failing to hold law enforcement accountable. They urged voters to remember this pattern of inaction when the Attorney General seeks re-election.

The Chamberlain family’s statement concludes with a call to action, asserting that systemic injustices will persist unless there is a demand for accountability at all levels of the justice system.

This case has reignited debates about police accountability and the effectiveness of grand juries in cases involving law enforcement officers. As community tensions rise, local officials and activists are calling for increased transparency in the investigation process and a reevaluation of police use-of-force policies.

STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.

Once again, another family hears the heartbreaking, all-too-familiar words of countless victims of state-sanctioned violence: “After an exhaustive investigation, the grand jury has determined there is not sufficient evidence to charge the officer.” This time, it’s the family of Jarrel Garris. The officer’s playbook is universal, with rehearsed language designed to justify any act of violence: “I feared for my life,” it was a very fluid situation or in this case, Detective Conn’s claim that he needed to protect himself and others. But the truth is plain to see the video reveals the detective approaching and escalating the situation, not retreating or de-escalating.

The rule of law, which should serve as the foundation of a fair society, is non-existent here. This officer was not held to the same standard that we, as citizens, are bound to follow. The Attorney General’s recommendation that the New Rochelle Police Department “upgrade its training and policies” regarding the use of force is nothing more than an insult a slap in the face of justice. Year after year, the New York Attorney General has failed to hold law enforcement accountable, and we must remember this failure when she seeks re-election. The systemic injustices will only persist if we do not demand accountability at every level.

NY Attorney General Tish James Faces Crisis of Confidence: Black Law Enforcement Group Declares “No Confidence” in Handling of Police Shooting Case

Black Westchester
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NY Attorney General Tish James Faces Crisis of Confidence: Black Law Enforcement Group Declares “No Confidence” in Handling of Police Shooting Case

In a scathing statement released Wednesday, a national organization of Black law enforcement professionals expressed a vote of no confidence in New York State Attorney General Letitia James, citing her handling of a police shooting case in New Rochelle.

The organization, Blacks In Law Enforcement of America (BLEA), took issue with the Attorney General’s office’s decision not to bring charges in the 2023 shooting death of Jarrel Garris, an unarmed Black man who was experiencing a mental health crisis when New Rochelle police killed him.

“Once again, our elected officials and law enforcement leadership have failed to address police encounters with Black men, particularly those struggling with mental illness in the state of New York,” said Damon K. Jones, New York Representative of BLEA.

The case has reignited debates about police use of force, especially in situations involving mental health crises and racial disparities in law enforcement outcomes.

The Incident and Its Aftermath

According to police reports and body camera footage, Mr. Garris was involved in an altercation with New Rochelle police officers in early 2023. The encounter ended fatally when Detective Steven Conn shot Mr. Garris, who was unarmed at the time.

Detective Conn claimed he fired his weapon because he believed another officer’s gun was at risk. However, body camera footage revealed that the other officer immediately stated she still had possession of her firearm, a discrepancy that BLEA says raises serious questions about the justification for the use of deadly force.

The Attorney General’s office, after investigating the incident, declined to bring charges against Detective Conn. Instead, it recommended that the New Rochelle Police Department “upgrade its policies” — a suggestion that BLEA finds woefully inadequate.

“This recommendation fails to address the root causes of these tragic incidents and inappropriately shifts the burden of policy development onto local departments without proper guidance or standardization,” Mr. Jones stated.

Calls for Systemic Reform

BLEA’s criticism extends beyond this single case. The organization points out that despite the submission of independent reviews from every police department in New York following George Floyd’s death in 2020, Attorney General James has not proposed comprehensive state-wide policies on police use of force when encountering individuals with mental illness.

To address these concerns, BLEA is calling for several sweeping reforms, including:

  1. State-wide standardized training on de-escalation and mental health crisis response
  2. Clear, uniform guidelines on use of force in mental health emergencies
  3. Increased funding for mental health response teams
  4. Greater accountability in investigations of police-involved shootings
  5. A comprehensive review of current law enforcement policies and practices across New York State

Broader Implications

The BLEA statement comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of policing practices nationwide. While New York has seen the appointment of more Black officials to positions of power in recent years, including Attorney General James herself, BLEA argues that this representation has not translated into meaningful change.

“We live in an age of Black representation at all levels of government, yet we have still failed to find solutions and hold law enforcement accountable for shooting unarmed Black people,” Mr. Jones said. “Instead of giving us justice, these representatives have become co-conspirators in a system that continues to fail our communities.”.

As debates over police reform continue to shape policy discussions nationwide, the Garris case and BLEA’s response highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing systemic issues in law enforcement and criminal justice. With calls for action growing louder, how state and local officials will respond to these demands for comprehensive reform remains to be seen.

Black Law Enforcement of America: No Confidence in New York State Attorney General's Office Regarding the K… by Damon K Jones on Scribd

A Night of Glamour and Purpose: Highlights from the 4th Annual Unlabelled Awards Show

Larnez Kinsey
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A Night of Glamour and Purpose: Highlights from the 4th Annual Unlabelled Awards Show

(Photo above – Left to Right Honorees: Chan C Class Davis, Kim Osorio, Ivie Ani, Judith Robert-Lewis, Miguel Sizzla Kalonji Collins, Carol Dunkley, Karen Mitchell, & Judge Reginald Johnson)

The 4th Annual Unlabelled Awards Show on September 12, 2024, at 296 9th Avenue, New York City, was an unforgettable evening celebrating unsung heroes. Hosted by the legendary Lenny Green, a longtime icon of syndicated radio on WBLS, with decades of experience and an unforgettable presence on the airwaves. The night was filled with glamor, purpose, and heartfelt recognition. Guests were welcomed with rum punch, and Saxophonist Stanford set the tone with soulful melodies. This event was the air that fills your lungs when you take a deep breath—a night that felt vital, invigorating, and filled with the energy of community and service.

Honoree: Little Mackenzie [Black Westchester]

The evening opened with Lenny Green’s heartfelt words about the importance of service, followed by powerful presentations. Maxine Greaves awarded Dr. Oskar Jacunski the Courage to Care Award for his dedication to health, while Elliee Balleh presented Little McKenzie with the Unsung Hero Award for her extraordinary bravery.

Antwon Gutierrez honored Chan Davis with the Conquest Award, recognizing his transformation from a fugitive to a filmmaker. Pamela Hallman-Johnson, unable to attend due to illness, was represented by her husband, who accepted the Preceptor Award from Kendal McFarlene on her behalf. He delivered touching remarks about her service to the community and her deep commitment to education.

Marsha “Chi Chi Vogue” Williams stunned with a fashion show before receiving the Designer Award from Gigel Williams, while Karen “True Indian Hair” Mitchell received the Entrepreneur Award from Attorney Benjamin Pincewski.

Judith Roberts-Lewis was honored with the Heart of Heroes Award by Mar-Khelia Stephenson for her work in education, followed by Bruce Moskowitz receiving the Gifted Hands Award from Dr. Augustine Moscatello.

Ivie Ani was presented the Journalist Award by Antoinette Isama, and Kim Osorio received the Powerhouse Media Award from Sunshine Smith-Williams.

Honoree: Miguel Sizzla Kalonji Collins [Black Westchester]

The evening concluded with Senator Kevin Parker honoring Judge Reginald Johnson with the Civic Engagement Award, and Mariam Walters presenting Miguel “Sizzla Kalonji” Collins with the Music of Excellence Award for his contributions to reggae.

Special acknowledgments were given to Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Legislator Collin D. Smith, and Mayor Eric Adams for their support and proclamations. The Unlabelled  Awards was a true celebration of service, resilience, and those who make success possible from behind the scenes.

Breaking News: Diddy Arrested By Feds In NYC

AJ Woodson
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Breaking News: Diddy Arrested By Feds In NYC

Diddy Taken Into Federal Custody After Grand Jury Indictment

Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested late Monday, the U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, said in a statement. Details of the charges weren’t immediately announced by prosecutors, but the hip-hop mogul has faced a stream of allegations by women in recent months who accused him of sexual assault.

“We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” Williams said in a statement.

Combs was arrested in a Manhattan hotel lobby and is in federal custody, said a person familiar with the arrest who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, issued a statement saying: “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

The criminal charges are a major but not unexpected takedown. The federal investigation of the 58-year-old Combs was revealed when Homeland Security Investigations agents served simultaneous search warrants and raided Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami on March 25.

His defense attorney Aaron Dyer the day after the raids called them “a gross use of military-level force,” said the allegations were “meritless,” and said Combs was “innocent and will continue to fight” to clear his name.

Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story

PBP Radio Episode 407

AJ Woodson
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PBP Radio Episode 407

Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Show Episode 407 With ya host Damon K. Jones and AJ Woodson giving you that Real Talk For The Community since 2014

Black Westchester presents the People Before Politics Radio Show every Sunday night, 6-8 PM, simulcasting live on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube and archived on BlackWestchester.com. Giving you that Real Talk For The Community since 2014.

To support the Black Westchester and the People Before Politics Radio Show, which provides the News With The Black Point Of view and gives you the real talk for the community for free, make a donation via PayPal at www.PayPal.me/BlackWestchesterMag. In the words of Ray Charles, “One of these days, and it [might not be] long, You’re gonna look for [us], and [we’ll] be gone.” Support independent, Black-free media!

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