Bronx Triangle, Incorporated honored 12 local Phenomenal Women, at their annual Award Breakfast. The Standing on Their Shoulders Breakfast honoring Phenomenal Women was held Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Eastwood Manor, Bronx. The event was hosted by Bronx Triangle, Inc., a community-based service group of 12 women. More than 300 guests gathered to pay tribute to 12 “Phenomenal Women.”
During Women’s History Month each year, the organization celebrates women who so graciously give of themselves to their community. The Triangle believes that the number of Phenomenal Women are many, but few are acknowledged for their service.
Mount Vernon’s Brenda L. Crump, Councilwoman Danielle Browne, YSOW’s Jordan Cormier, and Edith Bly-Jenkins were among the honorees.
“I thank God for the Bronx Triangle, Inc providing an opportunity for some Phenomenal Women to receive their flowers, praises, and accolades while they are still amongst the land of the living,” Ms. Brenda L. Crump shared with Black Westchester after the Breakfast.
Other honorees included Mother Katie Robbins, Kenyetta M. Hopkins, Daniella Jackson, Juanita Brown, Reverend Gloria Ford, Karen Angelica Suero, Charisse Rhodes, Debra G. Tirado and Chevone T. Sanon. Tiease Epps-Murray was the Mistress of Ceremonies.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson was the surprise Keynote Speaker and gave a great inspirational speech about the resilience of Black Women, the glass ceilings they shattered, how far they have come, and how far they still have to go, even though they are last to be considered, they are always first when you need them.
Black Westchester salutes all of the Phenomenal Women who were honored.
Bronx Triangle, Inc. is a 501c3 organization that provides service to the Bronx community. Through fundraising efforts, the Triangle has been able to award scholarships to graduating high school students going to college as well as the annual Breakfast for Phenomenal Women.
Senior Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Tuckahoe, Reverend Michael Gerald announced Thursday, February 29th, that he is ending his campaign for Congress in New York’s 16th Congressional District (CD16). His decision coincides with the finalization of Congressional district lines in New York. Gerald paused his campaign when George Latimer entered the race; now that George definitely resides within the newly drawn district, Gerald is exiting and will actively campaign for Latimer.
“Many things have changed since I announced my candidacy for Congress in July,” said Rev. Gerald. “But some things have not changed; the residents of CD16 still deserve a congressman who shares our Democratic values and represents them with his votes. Bowman is not that person, on major bills, he has consistently voted against President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He and his extreme left cronies are often the lone Democrats voting with a sea of Republicans.”
Gerald—who is currently a Westchester County Department of Corrections Deputy Commissioner appointed by CE Latimer in January 2021—cited Latimer’s record of progressive accomplishments in his press release.
“George Latimer is the proven leader CD 16 needs now to move our country forward. I have known George for years, he and I share the belief that ‘50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing.’ He and I have worked side by side on issues that directly benefit the Black community, including housing, civil rights, and criminal justice reform, just to name a few.”
Gerald continued, “George’s opponent, Rep. Bowman, does not share my core values. He lacks the sensibilities and personal care for all the district’s constituents. He looks for attention by grandstanding and quarreling on camera to curry publicity. His antics are a waste of time and CD 16’s resources. While Bowman’s been obsessed with exchanging insults with people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, he hasn’t accomplished much for the district or those he claims to fight for most.”
The pastor and former law enforcement officer said he is not surprised by what he calls ‘the vicious, hate-filled rhetoric or avalanche of falsehoods Bowman is running against Latimer.’ Gerald plans to campaign for Latimer actively and says he is dedicated to ensuring a victory for Latimer in the June Democratic primary.
And then there were three! With Gerald officially out of the race, the heated CD16 Congressional race now comes down to CE George Latimer, Marty Dolan, and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, the incumbent running for a third term. The winner of the Democratic Primary will face Black Republican Chris Wright in the General Election in November.
Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this highly publicized, heated race!
Annual event to recognize individuals who have made contributions toAfrican American history and culture in Westchester County
(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins honored two remarkable African American citizens, as well as the life’s work of a husband and wife team, for their professional accomplishments and community efforts at the 2024 Trailblazers Awards Ceremony. “Trailblazers: Preserving our Legacy” was hosted live at the Gateway Center at SUNY Westchester Community College, as part of the County’s Black History Month celebration. The awards recognize individuals who have made great contributions to African American history and culture throughout Westchester County, and beyond.
Latimer said: “February is Black History Month, and each year we pause to reflect on the impactful stories of those Black Americans who are helping to shape our history here in Westchester, and all over the world. We are fortunate that our County has been blessed with places and exhibits of historical significance, that help us remember the Black leaders who were change-makers long before our time. Tonight, help us by honoring these two outstanding individuals, as well as the legacy of two former Westchester County residents, who stood out above the rest for their public service, and immense contributions to the mosaic that is Westchester County.”
Jenkins said: “The Trailblazers Awards Ceremony was created more than 20 years ago as way to honor outstanding individuals in the name of other heroic predecessors, so as not to forget their struggle and sacrifice. Tonight’s honorees have had extraordinarily successful careers along two very different paths, but they both made it a point to help guide, mentor, inspire and give back to others who followed in their footsteps. The legacy of the Clarks and the influence they had on children across the country will live on for generations to come. Let us be inspired by their efforts, and use it as a platform for change.”
Chair of the African American Advisory Board Barbara L. Edwards, Esq. said: “The African American Advisory Board is proud to promote the Trailblazers program in commemoration of Black History Month. Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate the contributions and achievements of people of African ancestry throughout this nation’s history. We are intentional in supporting this event as we seek to increase awareness of the vital role people of African ancestry have offered and hope that the Trailblazers program fosters community engagement, promotes unity and mutual respect.”
The 2024 Trailblazer Honorees received awards in the areas of Civil Rights and Civic Engagement, as well as a Humanitarian Award. This year’s honorees are as follows:
The Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. Award for Civil Rights: Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr.
Horace E. Anderson Jr. is the ninth dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, appointed in December 2019. Prior to this appointment, Dean Anderson had been serving as Haub Law’s interim dean. The law school has been thriving under his leadership, with increased enrollment and application numbers and successful new programs, including the expansion of its part-time J.D. program to include an evening and weekend option.
Under Anderson’s leadership, Haub Law garnered its first U.S. News & World Report ranking as the No. 1 environmental law program in the country. He also strengthened the law school’s social justice initiatives and oversaw the launch of the new Pace Access to Justice Project, which directs the combined legal knowledge, skill and energy among Pace faculty, staff and students to close gaps in access to justice in our communities. A key component of this project, the Pace Access to Justice Lab (A2J), brings together students from across Pace University to apply human-centered design-thinking and legal training to create innovative technology tools to address real-world gaps in access to justice.
Anderson has a strong commitment to supporting underrepresented communities in the law, and serves as the faculty advisor to the Black Law Student Association and Latin American Law Student Association. During his
time as dean and associate dean, he has also focused on students’ professional development and emotional health, emphasizing the importance of their cultivating a professional identity and learning to practice self-care as they prepare to enter the legal profession. Anderson joined the Haub Law faculty in 2004, and served as the school’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2011 until his appointment as interim dean in 2018. He received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.S. in Economics, with a concentration in finance, from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. His areas of legal expertise include intellectual property, internet privacy, law and technology, and communications law.
Watch the Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr. Video
The Betty Shabazz Award for Civic Engagement: Commissioner Deborah M. Norman
Deborah Michelle Norman was born in New Rochelle, New York. At an early age her family moved to Mount Vernon where she attended Mount Vernon Public Schools. After High School Deborah immediately joined the U.S. Army in 1980. Deborah began her career as an active duty Military Police Officer (MP) and was stationed worldwide within the Army. Some of her assignments were Fort McClellan, AL.; Fort Stewart, GA; Fort Belvoir, VA; Berlin Brigade Germany; Panama; Guantanamo Bay Cuba (GITMO) and Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York. She attained the rank Master Sergeant and retired after 22 years of service. Her assignments were MP Patrol Officer; MP Patrol Supervisor; MP Desk Sergeant; Crime Prevention Non Commissioned Officer (NCO); MP Physical Security Inspector, MP Investigator, Drug Suppression Supervisor with the US Army Criminal Investigation Division (USACID), Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Equal Opportunity NCO, (EEOC) Drill Sergeant Instructor, Operations Sergeant and Acting First Sergeant.
Norman attended many military schools and military courses throughout her career. She received an Army Achievement Medal for being selected as Distinguished Graduate of the Primary Leadership Academy, where Norman was the #1 academic student out of 161 fellow soldiers. Norman’s additional awards include three Meritorious Service Medals; eight Army Commendation Medals; seven Army Achievement Awards and numerous Citations for Excellence.
In 2002, Norman retired from the Army and came back home to Mount Vernon where she was appointed by Mayor Ernest D. Davis as the first woman Deputy Fire Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Fire Department. For the past 21 years, Norman has worked for four City administrations, servicing the community as Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Community Development and Deputy Police Commissioner/Parking Bureau in 2016. She has served 15 years with the Mount Vernon Fire Department and in January 2020, Norman was appointed by Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard as the City’s first woman Fire Commissioner. She is a lifetime member along with her father, the late Mr. George Lee Jr. of the Aaron A. Lewis VFW Post 6396 in Mount Vernon. Norman is a proud mother of her only daughter Devyn M. Norman and two grandsons.
Watch the Commissioner Deborah M. Norman Video
The Humanitarian Award for their Contribution to School Desegregation: Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark
Long-time Hastings residents Mamie Phipps Clark (1917-1983) and Kenneth Bancroft Clark (1914-2005) were American psychologists who, as a married team, are best known for conducting groundbreaking research on the
psychological effects of racism on the identity and self-esteem of Black children. They were activists on the national level, contributing to many social reform causes, including desegregation and the Civil Rights Movement.
Early on, while working at an all-Black nursery school, Mamie became interested in the topic of self-identification in young children. Her master’s thesis on this subject would form the foundation of the Clarks’ famous “doll tests,” where Black children – given the choice between a white and Black baby doll –
overwhelmingly preferred the white one. The couple worked together on other major initiatives, juggling an enormous volume of work while simultaneously raising their family in Westchester.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund called upon Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark to testify in several court cases challenging segregation in public schools. Their testimony demonstrating that segregation harmed Black children’s self-images before the Supreme Court contributed to the landmark Supreme Court Case that desegregated American public schools: Brown v. Board of Education.
Over 100 Palestinians were killed in chaotic scenes in northern Gaza on Friday morning, according to Palestinian officials, when Israeli troops opened fire on large crowds that had gathered around recently arrived food aid trucks. The gunfire triggered panic and a rush towards the vehicles, resulting in many casualties.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that 104 people died and over 700 were injured. They said many victims were trampled or hit by trucks amid the chaos after troops started shooting. CNN could not independently confirm the figures.
An Israeli military spokesperson disputed aspects of this account but did not provide casualty numbers. “It was a limited response,” the spokesperson said regarding the gunfire.
According to journalist Khadeer Al Za’anoun, an eyewitness at the scene, large crowds had gathered on Haroun Al Rasheed Street awaiting food distribution, when the gunfire erupted suddenly. He stated the chaos and fatal truck accidents only began after Israeli forces opened fire on the crowd.
Israel acknowledged its troops did fire on the people, saying the soldiers were threatened. But Israel disputes that the gunfire itself caused the bulk of casualties. In their initial statement, the Israel Defense Forces claimed that injuries mainly resulted from pushing and trampling in the aid scramble before troops fired.
The tragic incident further inflames tensions, as negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue and the Gaza death toll has surpassed 30,000 over months of conflict. United Nations agencies warn over half a million Gazans now face famine conditions.
The revised version provides more detail attributed to witnesses and officials, highlights disputed accounts, and gives further context about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This aims to reduce confusion for readers around the complex and highly charged incident.
The District Pac claims Congressman Bowman and The Squad are dividing our communities when it is their actions that are actually causing division
In response to a video of County Executive George Latimer telling the story of how he grew up as a white kid in a Black neighborhood in the southside Mount Vernon yet again (see below), as proof that he is cool with Black People and he is “hardly targeting African Americans in a negative way,” and how no nationwide outside group is telling him how to think, The District Pac calls Congressman Jamaal Bowman and other members of color of ‘The Squad’ race hustlers (see tweet below).
So here is what I have a problem with, why when people of color, especially Black People stand up, advocate for, and speak up for their people, do White People call them stuff like Race Hustlers or label them anti-something or accuse Black People of playing the race card? Every other group of people can advocate and stand up for their people without having to deal with race-baiting labeling and having dog whistles thrown at them. It’s time for some REAL TALK!
Groups like The District Pac are the ones dividing our communities, not Black and Brown elected officials who are representing their districts and their people, who do not usually have people who look like them to advocate for them. To speak up and defend them. To bring attention to issues they face, as elected officials do for their districts, their communities, and their people.
The District Pac’s mission is to remove people of color from Congress, especially Congressman Jamaal Bowman, the first African American to represent the 16th Congressional District. Do not take my word for it, see the quote below or click on the link above, they spell it out on the front page of their website.
The District is a Westchester County based political action committee campaigning to defeat The Squad, Progressives, and Socialist Democrat Party candidates seeking to represent Westchester County residents in The US House of Representatives.
We are the boots on the ground in our communities, actively campaigning to defeat The Squad and Socialist Democrat Party candidates that are destroying our country and our communities. Our main objective in 2024 is to defeat Jamaal Bowman’s bid for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The District Pac, the self-described ‘New York-based independent expenditure committee (super pac)’ on their Facebook Page, led the attempted GOP takeover of the Westchester Democratic primary to disenfranchise the Black and Brown vote in Westchester. They feel that anyone of color who dares to represent something other than what they believe has to be taken out. Persons who has the audacity to believe the words written by the forefathers of this land actually apply to them.
That is the very definition of the White Privilege. White Privilege is the societal privilege that benefits white people over non-white people in some societies, particularly if they are otherwise under the same social, political, or economic circumstances. Why is racial inequality perceivably so resistant to transformation? Some say it is because of a failure to acknowledge and confront white privilege.
Instead of trying to appeal to Black Voters to show how the candidate they support is better, just like MAGA Republicans are doing all over the United States, The District Pac decides it better to disenfranchise the Black Vote. In this case, they encouraged a MAGA GOP takeover of the Democratic Primary and they are using their Super Pac to remove a Black Man from office because he refuses to kiss the ring like others and dares to be unapologetic in representing his people and his district in the House of Representatives.
To be clear and I have said it over and over, if Democrats feel Latimer is the better candidate, they should be free to express that with their vote without interference from the Republican Party. As the Editor-In-Chief and co-owner of a Black community media outlet, I know all too well the attacks of the privileged for speaking truth to power and advocating for Black and Brown people in Westchester and I take it personally.
To clear up another misrepresented claim that ‘Black Westchester is carrying out a smear campaign against George Latimer.’ Black Westchester endorsed Latimer in his successful unseating of Republican County Executive Rob Astorino and again when he ran for re-election. Latimer has enjoyed the support of Black Westchester, which included having difficult conversations with him when it came to our community. We have always had a lot of respect and a good relationship with Latimer, just ask him.
What we do not respect are the actions of organizations like AIPAC, The District Pac, and others that represent him and support his campaign financially. Latimer himself may not be using the dog whistles and race-baiting of these organizations but the white kid who grew up in the Black community on the Southside of Mount Vernon must not have a problem with what they are doing and saying to assist him in unseating the first Black Man to be elected by the people to serve CD-16.
Remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “The SILENCE of the good people is more DANGEROUS than the BRUTALITY of the bad people,” or “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” How about one of my favorites, “A time comes when silence is betrayal.” Your silence speaks volumes George!
Lastly and I say this out of love, while this may not be your intention, telling us every five minutes that you grew up a white kid in a Black neighborhood, and how your friends were Black etc etc., comes off like the words of many White Men before you who tried to convince us that they weren’t racist, because they have a Black Friend. Why is it so necessary to continue to tell us this same story over and over and over again, who are you trying to convince us or you? And allow me to share a video of you so people can see and hear your words directly from you before you tell the world I misrepresented your words again.
Do not mistake our speaking truth to power and having the difficult conversation with you for a smear campaign. You claimed to respect us and spoke highly about what we represent and the work we do (Damon and I have the proclamations on our walls to prove it) and never had a problem appearing on our show as State Senator or County Executive so why won’t you come on now and have that difficult conversation with us you never ran from before? We invite you to have the difficult conversation publicly since you said no privately.
Lastly, I end this editorial simply by asking, Why have you been quiet about the actions of your supporters, who by your own words, do not influence you or who represent attitudes you tell us you don’t? Out of love, I have to say your silence speaks volumes and comes off as betrayal! Do you believe what the organizations representing you believe? If not, why haven’t we heard you speak up against their community-dividing actions? Dividing the Black & Jewish communities! The communities you claim to represent as a whole! The communities that have been very supportive of you. That goes for anyone else in Westchester who is silent as well! And that’s Real Talk!
Book Summary: We Got Our Own Thang gives you a look at Hip-Hop from The 914 (Westchester County, New York). The book doesn’t only celebrate the superstars and rap legends that grace its cover, like DMX, Heavy D & The Boyz, Mary J. Blige, Grand Puba, Brand Nubian, Master Of The Ceremony, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and The Lox, but many of the early legends many outside the region may have heard of like the Legendary Collins Brothers who had the ‘King Kong Sound System’ and battled the legendary DJs like Kool DJ AJ and The L Brothers, of Graffiti Artists like REM 311 & LM444 who were highly respected in the 5 boroughs. The book highlights the contributions of individuals of The 914 in the 50-year history of Hip-Hop. The book documents how, while once only thought of as “Upstate New York”, Westchester “Westcheddar” County borders Hip-Hop’s Garden of Eden. Not trying to dispel the fact the Bronx is Hip-Hop’s birthplace, or diss the other boroughs that didn’t recognize Westchester as a Hip-Hop equal. But to show and prove what was going on in the Bronx hiccupped into the 914, especially its most southern cities like Mount Vernon and Yonkers, which, unlike the boroughs or any other region, don’t have to cross a bridge to get to the Bronx. To tell the story, I enlisted the help of some respected voices in Hip-Hop including Ralph McDaniels of Video Music Box, DMC of the legendary RUN DMC, Kim Osorio (former Editor-In-Chief of the Source), Chuck ‘Jigsaw’ Creekmur (AllHipHop.com), Floyd Myers (Heavy D’s older brother), Bobbito aka Kool Bob Love and A.L. Dre who illustrated Hip-Hop artists for The Last Word of the Source magazine, even an unexpected Hip-Hop head like the US Congressman of the region, Jamaal Bowman and others who share their memories, favorite songs or videos of 914 artists. After reading this book, the author’s aim is for everyone to put some respect on The 914 when you think about Hip-Hop!
Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16) announced on Sunday, February 25th, that over the course of his three years in Congress, he has brought back over $1 billion to constituents and community organizations in NY-16. This money includes federal grants and loans, funding from federal legislation and appropriations, and money returned to constituents through direct assistance and casework. You can find the full clip of his announcement on PIX11 below.
Specifically, Congressman Bowman has helped secure:
Approximately $916 million in federal grants and loans, including grants and loans for housing assistance, small businesses, local cultural development, and more
$125,000,000 in funding from federal legislation, including $25.8 million in community project funding for violence prevention, community health centers, and more, $12 million for the New Rochelle LINC Project, and $88 million for flood mitigation in Mamaroneck
$7,596,018 in money returned to constituents through casework, including tax refunds, student loan support, and more
He is also pushing for an additional $14,078,199 in community project funding that will be included in the upcoming FY24 budget that is currently under consideration in Congress.
“I came to Congress to fight for all of the people of New York’s 16th district so that every single person and organization in our community has the support and resources they need to thrive,” said Congressman Bowman. “I am incredibly proud to have secured over $1 billion for our district to fund programs that focus on violence prevention, creating greenspaces, facilitating flood relief, putting money directly back in the pockets of our neighbors, and so much more. This is the real work of public service–bringing the resources and the funding to the people on the ground in our community–and we’re just getting started. I’m looking forward to keeping the work going with our grassroots community partners and pushing for even more funding for local projects as we consider this year’s appropriations bills.”
Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Show Episode 389 with local NAACP President Rev Frank Coleman (Yonkers), Janice Griffin (White Plains/Greenburgh), and Kathie Brewington (Mount Vernon) discussing the power of the Black Vote, the upcoming election, and the work of the local NAACP
Over 1,300 registered Republican voters in New York’s 16th Congressional district recently switched parties to become Democrats ahead of the state’s Democratic primary election on June 25th. This comes after groups supporting Democratic candidate George Latimer made efforts to get Republican and independent voters to register as Democrats so they could vote in the primary.
In the primary, incumbent Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman will face challenger George Latimer, the Westchester County Executive. Supporters of Latimer led initiatives to get non-Democrats to switch parties before the February 14th deadline. Data shows there are now 3,000 more Democratic voters registered in the 16th district than in November, including 1,300 former Republicans.
Some believe opposition to Congressman Bowman’s stances on Israel among Westchester’s Jewish community motivated party switching. While the number of Westchester Jews who switched parties is unknown, the over 1,300 party changes could impact the tight Democratic primary. In the general November election, current Republican Congressman Mike Lawler won by just 2,100 votes in CD-17.
Another complicating factor arises from George Latimer’s acceptance of substantial funding from MAGA Republican-backed AIPAC. Many progressives view this as hypocritical, primarily since Latimer identifies as a progressive. Accepting funding from a Republican-funded organization like AIPAC while supporting Republicans switching party affiliations to influence the Democratic primary raises questions about Latimer’s absolute alignment with progressive values or if he is just a light version of Republican values.
Letter Calls for Investigation Into Voters Switching to Democratic Party
A letter to the Westchester Democratic Chairman raised concerns about Republicans and independents recently registering as Democrats. It questioned if they intended to influence the Democratic primaries unfairly. The letter cited New York election law allowing party officials to investigate voters and potentially remove those not genuinely aligned with the party.
The letter urged urgent action to address this influx of Republican registrants to uphold the integrity of the Democratic Party’s nomination process. It requested a response in five days about investigating and disqualifying those trying to manipulate the primaries. Overall, the letter calls on the Democratic Chairman to ensure only voters who share party values can participate in its primaries.
Many grassroots Democrats believe that there’s an orchestrated attempt to hinder the Democratic Party from achieving historic milestones in Westchester County, such as electing the first Black District Attorney, reelecting the first Black Congressman in CD 16, and electing the first Black Congresswoman in CD 17. They perceive this as a deliberate effort to suppress Black representation at the highest levels of government in the county. Some question the Democratic Party’s commitment to inclusivity, pointing out the contradiction in working with Republicans to potentially unseat the first Black Congressman.
![Congressman Jamaal Bowman Brings Over $1 Billion Back to NY-16 During His Time in Congress [Announcement]](https://blackwestchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/426179735_717608760507614_6397472540307724575_n-768x509.jpg "Congressman Jamaal Bowman Brings Over $1 Billion Back to NY-16 During His Time in Congress [Announcement]")
