Zeta Nu Omega Chapter, the oldest Westchester County chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the ZNO Community Service Fund, Inc. hosted their annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 4th, at Greentree Country Club, where they raised over $32,000 in donations.
Themed “Casino Royale Sneaker Ball,” the event was focused on raising funds towards scholarships for local high school and college students and helping to support the various community service efforts the chapter completes in the Westchester County area, which include enhancing our environment, fighting food insecurity and childhood hunger, mental health awareness, voter education, financial wellness and more. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson also attended the event which had nearly 400 attendees.
Zeta Nu Omega Chapter President Dr. Karen A. Williams poses with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson [Black Westchester]
Dr. Karen A. Williams is the president of the Zeta Nu Omega Chapter, Joanne Askew is the president of the ZNO Community Service Fund, Inc.; and the event co-chairs were Jamie Ralliford and Stephanie DeVane.
Over the years, the Zeta Nu Omega Chapter and the ZNO Community Service Fund, Inc. have donated over $800,000 in college scholarships to local students.
Broad coalition of City Council members and crime survivors show support for bi-partisan FAVC Act
New York, NY (Wednesday, November 15th) – Tomorrow, Common Justice will host a press conference with leaders of the New York City Council and coalition supporters at Foley Square to call for Governor Hochul’s signature on the Fair Access to Victim Compensation bill. The legislation has broad support from elected officials, families impacted by violence, and victim services providers and advocates, and has been awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature for six months after it passed unanimously in the NYS Senate and with wide bi-partisan support in the NYS Assembly.
Calls for the legislation’s passage are rising after the closeout of a 12-week-long campaign from the Governor’s office to raise awareness of the current victim compensation system, which provides state funding for crime victims to reimburse the costs of recovery. The campaign neglected to address the ongoing obstacles faced by survivors of violence, such as short application windows and mandatory police reporting requirements that make it more difficult for them to prove they were harmed and access life-changing funding to help heal from their trauma and rebuild their lives.
Black and Brown New Yorkers are more likely to become survivors of violence or have loved ones affected by it but they are less likely to receive compensation. 31.6% of all claims come from Black victims, but they represent half of the denials. From 2010 to 2015, only 10% of eligible survivors accessed services.
With the deadline to sign FAVC coming at the end of the year, activists, electeds, and survivors are calling on Governor Hochul to show up for survivors and swiftly pass this legislation.
Who:
Danielle Sered, Founder and Executive Director, Common Justice
NYC Councilmember Tiffany Cabaìn
NYC Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse
Oresa Napper-Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Not Another Child Inc.
Michael Polenberg, Vice President, Government Affairs, Safe Horizons
Crime survivors and victims’ families, local elected officials, members of the statewide FAVC coalition
Where:
Foley Square
Lafayette Street Worth Street, Centre St, New York, NY 10013
When:
Thursday, November 16th, 2023
Press arrival: 12:15pm
Press Conference: 12:30pm
About Common Justice
Common Justice develops and advances solutions to violence that transform the lives of those harmed and foster racial equity without relying on incarceration. In New York City, the organization operates one of the first alternative-to-incarceration and victim service program in the United States that focuses on violent felonies in the adult courts.
Common Justice’s policy and organizing work seeks to build power in Black and brown communities that have been disproportionately impacted by violence. Our work uplifts and centers the needs of survivors of violence, as well as those who have been adversely impacted by violence, including interpersonal, community and state violence.
Ban Expected to Have Far-reaching Consequences; Westchester County Executive Voices Concerns
New York, NY – November 14, 2023 – In a powerful demonstration of unity, Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner and founder of the E.R.I.C. Initiative Foundation, will stand alongside law enforcement veterans, labor unions, business leaders, and other prominent figures, demanding that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer intervene to stop the Biden Administration’s impending menthol cigarette ban. The ban, expected to be finalized by the FDA within weeks, is set to become the most extensive prohibition of a legal adult product in modern history, with ramifications that extend well beyond the scope of its intended goal.
Ms. Carr penned a letter to Senator Schumer on November 9, imploring him to reconsider his stance on the menthol ban. The group argues that the ban, while well-intentioned, will lead to unintended consequences, including negative impacts on businesses, harm to communities of color, and the potential for the menthol cigarette market, valued at $30 billion, to fall into the hands of organized crime. This, in turn, is predicted to result in financial hardships for legitimate businesses and layoffs as their revenues plummet. Additionally, enforcing this prohibition will burden the nation’s already stretched law enforcement agencies.
One alarming concern raised by the coalition is that the menthol ban may have the same racial profiling implications as the controversial “stop-and-frisk” policy, potentially leading to more negative interactions between police and communities of color. In a state like New York, already home to the nation’s largest illicit tobacco market, the prohibition is expected to cause hundreds of millions in lost tax revenue and an increase in violent crime, as reported in a recent POLITICO story. Despite these concerns, Senator Schumer has remained notably silent on this issue, despite its imminent finalization.
In December 2022, Westchester County Executive George Latimer vetoed a proposed menthol ban by the county’s legislators. His decision came as a response to concerns regarding the possible unintended ramifications of the policy. Latimer emphasized that the rates of smoking had decreased overall and expressed apprehensions regarding the potential economic and law enforcement consequences that could arise from implementing such a ban.
It is noteworthy that Westchester County is situated within Senator Chuck Schumer’s district. As a result, the question remains whether Senator Schumer will align his stance with the expressed wishes and concerns of the people within his district regarding the menthol ban issue.
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Participants include:
Rev. Malcolm Byrd, Senior Pastor Mother of A.M.E Zion in Harlem
Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, member of Mothers of the Movement, Founder of E.R.I.C. Initiative Foundation
Edgar Domenech, 117th Sheriff of New York City, COO of the ATF (Ret.)
Rev. Johnnie Green, Senior Pastor of Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem, NY, President/CEO of MPAC-NY
Damon Jones, activist and publisher, representative of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America
Deputy Inspector Corey Pegues, NYPD (Ret.), author, motivational speaker, community leader, and national policing expert
David Schwartz, New York Association of Wholesalers and Distributors
Mike Smith, President of Local 810, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Kent Sopris, President of the New York Association of Convenience Stores
The coalition aims to shed light on the potential consequences of the menthol ban and urge Senator Schumer to take action to protect the interests of businesses, communities, and law enforcement agencies nationwide. The concerns Westchester County Executive George Latimer voiced with his veto of the county bill further highlight the need to carefully reconsider the ban’s implications.
“People want to know my secret; you have to have a relationship with God and pray through it all,” Priscilla Edmunds shared with the crowd.
Over 100 plus people came out to celebrate the 100th Birthday Celebration of Priscilla Edmunds at Macedonia Baptist Church, located at 141 South 9th Avenue in Mount Vernon, on Saturday, September 2nd.
It was a great event with Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, former Mayor Ernie Davis, Council President Danielle Browne, and others — each praising Ms. Priscilla Edmunds’ long and distinguished service. Dennis Hanratty, the Executive Director of the Mount Vernon United Tenants (MVUT) served as Emcee of the event. And then on her birthday on Monday, they had her magnified picture on the electronic scoreboard at Mount Vernon’s newly rehabilitated Memorial Field. All-in-all a well-deserved recognition.
On Thursday, July 27, MVUT and tenants organized a major meeting in the Macedonia Towers (150 South Fifth Avenue). The leading tenant organizers were Shawna Holmes and Priscilla Edmunds. Priscilla Edmunds was instrumental in the planning for this meeting; at the time of the planning and the meeting, she was weeks away from her 100th birthday! This is just one of many examples of Ms. Edmunds’ decades of distinguished service and selflessness.
“They just won’t let me retire,” she joked.
“Wishing an amazing Happy Birthday to Ms. Priscilla Edmunds who is 100 Years Young today. Ms. Priscilla is VERY ACTIVE, and continues to volunteer at food pantry giveaways, and serves as a housing advocate. Her mind is clear and her movements brisk. She is an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church and Church Women United. With Long Life Will I Satisfy You!,” Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard (SPH) shared.
Mayor SPH used her White House connections to facilitate a citation from President Biden to Ms. Edmunds. “We may not all be famous, but we can all be great.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Ms. Priscilla Edmunds is the epitome of grace, resilience, and service. On the occasion of her 100th birthday, we don’t just celebrate her age; we celebrate a century of invaluable contributions, unflagging leadership, and boundless compassion. Ms. Edmunds has shown us all what it means to truly ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Her lifetime of action speaks volumes, and we are profoundly grateful for her enduring legacy,” Mount Vernon Council President Danielle Brown shared with BW.
“Blessings & Honor to this lovely, vibrant 100 year old…Priscilla Edmunds. She is the spice of life!! We salute you,” Judy Williams Davis shared.
This joyous event was organized by Church Women United, Mount Vernon New York Unit, and co-sponsored by Friends of Macedonia Towers, Macedonia Baptist Church, and the Family of Mrs. Priscilla Edmunds.
Black Westchester salutes Sis. Priscilla Edmund, who turned 100 years old on Monday, September 4, 2023. We are honored and blessed to give one of Mount Vernon’s oldest living residents her flowers while she is still with us to smell them. Happy 100th Birthday Ms. Priscilla Edmunds! A Great Centenarian! You are truly a Black Westchester Living Legend!
Black Westchester has been exclusively covering this story from the beginning. Let’s take a look at how we got here. On Thursday, November 2nd, Damon K. Jones, Publisher of Black Westchester, and the New York representative of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America (BLEA), expressed his concerns publicly regarding a recent proposal made by Westchester County to the Westchester Corrections Officers Benevolent Association (COBA), as stated by COBA’s President, Neil Pellone, in his November 1st letter to the COBA members.
According to Pellone, the County had approached COBA with a contract settlement plan, acknowledging the collective efforts of COBA members on social media and with the support of local legislators. The proposed contract would cover the years 2020 and 2021, a two-year contract for a combined 6% despite the fact that COs went 4 years without a contract.
Issue now goes to City Council, where public comment is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14
After hearing a number of residents again demand an independent police review board with the power to investigate civilian complaints about police misconduct, New Rochelle’s Community-Police Partnership Board (CPPB) voted on November 3 to recommend a board empowered only to review police investigations of themselves in response to citizen complaints.
The issue now goes to the City Council, which will hold its next meeting (and a 7:00pm Citizens To Be Heard session) on Tuesday, November 14. Three of the seven members of the current City Council will be replaced in January based on the elections held on Tuesday, November 7.
The CPPB adopted the recommendation of CGR, a consulting firm hired earlier this year, to create a “review-focused” Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), rather than the “investigation-focused” board demanded by the community. CGR’s report acknowledged that a review model would have “limited power to determine police misconduct outcomes,” and a CCRB with investigative powers would better address “community stakeholder concerns about potential police bias…in the review process.” But CGR recommended a review model, explaining that it wished to “balance the community’s desire for an independent body…with the administration’s concerns about cost and broad powers.”
Interviews described in the CGR report showed that community members characterized community/police relations as “mediocre or needing improvement, while NRPD members said their relationship with city residents was “good to great.” Community stakeholders told CGR they felt that “an independent and unbiased group should be available to address police complaints” with “real authority and official capacity to influence change.” Most NRPD leaders, on the other hand, told CGR they “did not see the need for a CCRB” and believed that the current review process was sufficient.
The CGR report and CPPB vote came 18 months after a deadline imposed by the City Council when it passed its police reform plan in March 2021. In a statement by Lisa Burton, read by Lourdes Font, Burton objected to “the deliberate slow-walking of this process” and described the proposed review-only CCRB as “watered down.” “The African American community in New Rochelle has been shaken by violence,” Burton wrote, “yet the level of urgency is missing.”
Aisha Cook, Vice President of the New Rochelle NAACP, referenced the killing of Jarrell Garris by NRPD Detective Steven Conn on July 3—the second killing of a Black man by the NRPD in the past three years. “If our goal is to increase transparency and trust between the community and the membership Police Department,” she said, “more oversight, not less, is needed.”
Martin Sanchez, an attorney and the son and grandson of police officers, called the CGR recommendations “a very sad testament to a do-nothing organization.” Noting the lack of public awareness of New Rochelle’s police reform efforts, particularly in the Latinx community, Sanchez said, “We have to be transparent. But more importantly, we have to be vigilant. You have to have a sense of urgency. I see none of that from anyone here on the platform.”
Dr. Carla Woolbright, former president of the New Rochelle NAACP, said, “There’s no way that we should have a Civilian Complaint Review Board with no authority to do anything but listen to the complaint. We should have our civilians involved that are also part of the investigation process that have access to those investigative records. If we want to build trust between the police and our community, we have to have an open process with people in the community involved that the community trusts….It shouldn’t be the police policing themselves.”
Rodney Bynum, a cousin of Jarrell Garris, noted the failure of the NRPD to discipline the officer who killed his cousin on July 3,2023, and the two-year delay in dismissing Detective Michael Vaccaro, who was caught on video punching and kicking Malik Fogg, another Black man, while Vaccaro was off-duty in 2021. Asking, “You can’t have a review board with enough oversight because that’s going to affect your budget?” he continued, “How does having officers that are on paid leave affect your budget? How does having officers that are being sued for their actions affect your budget? That’s not your budget. That’s our budget. We’re the taxpayers. You work for us. We don’t work for you. But you’re conducting yourselves like you’re working for yourselves.“
Alprentice McCutchen, a teacher at New Rochelle High School, speaking as a parent and educator, expressed concern about “the crisis of interaction … between the youth and institutions within this community” and called for “an authentic Board to let them know that if they ever have a complaint, they know that action can be taken,…that it’s not just a performative set of steps, it’s not just a perfunctory set of steps, it’s something that’s actually going to happen.”
Bruce Soloway, a member of New Rochelle Against Racism (New RoAR), called the CGR report “a betrayal of the people of New Rochelle” and a “sham.” “How much money is too much to save another Black life?” he asked. “How much accountability is too much accountability? The City Council did not create the CPPB and mandate the creation of a CCRB to appease the fears of the police or to balance the city budget. It did so to save lives and improve the safety and quality of life of the people of New Rochelle.”
In conclusion, Deputy Police Commissioner and CPPB Co-Chair Neil Reynolds, speaking only for himself, discussed “facts and feelings.” “Facts can inform feelings, and feelings certainly can inform facts,” he said. “Each of us has views created by our own lived experiences…. Either-or only continues to divide us and cause further conflict. We cannot continue to disregard a fact or a feeling in favor of the other. We have to accept that both can and do exist simultaneously. If we stop talking past each other and stop invalidating each other’s facts and feelings, we will realize that we agree on more than we disagree on when we listen, speak, work, and engage with each other.”
Reynolds then called for a vote, and the CPPB approved the CGR vote by a vote of 10-3. Two present and one former police officer on the board voted “no”, apparently opposing the creation of any review board at all.
“Union Warns Rising Medical Costs And Increase Employee Health Insurance Contributions Are Unsustainable And Will Result In Mass Exodus Of Correction Officers, Jeopardizing Current Staffing Levels And Jail Safety,” – COBA President Neil Pellone.
Westchester COBA, the union representing all Correction Officers who provide care, custody, and control over approximately 2,300 inmates (annually) at the Westchester County Jail, held a demonstration at the Westchester County Office Building to protest rising medical costs and increased health insurance contributions on Monday, November 13th, at 12:00 PM.
Westchester COBA President Neil Pellone joined by members of his executive board, over 100 Westchester Correction Officers, as well as members of Nassau, Rockland County, and NYC Corrections and the NYPD, gathered at the county building (148 Martine Avenue) to protest the fact that their raises have not kept up with their contributions for health insurance coverage. Health insurance coverage contributions for a single correction officer have ballooned from $1,750 in 2014 to $2,483 in 2023, while family health insurance contributions have soared from $4,600 in 2014 to $6,548 in 2023, according to a press release by President Pellone.
“Fix our medical. What do we want? Fair Contracts. When do we want it? Now!” was the chant from the correction officers.
Black Westchester has been exclusively covering this story from the beginning. Let’s take a look at how we got here. On Thursday, November 2nd, Damon K. Jones, Publisher of Black Westchester, and the New York representative of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America (BLEA), expressed his concerns publicly regarding a recent proposal made by Westchester County to the Westchester Corrections Officers Benevolent Association (COBA), as stated by COBA’s President, Neil Pellone, in his November 1st letter to the COBA members.
According to Pellone, the County had approached COBA with a contract settlement plan, acknowledging the collective efforts of COBA members on social media and with the support of local legislators. The proposed contract would cover the years 2020 and 2021, a two-year contract for a combined 6% despite the fact that COs went 4 years without a contract.
That brings us to the Monday, November 13th rally, protesting in front of the county building. BW reached out to the county who informed us they would be responding in a press conference at 2PM.
Before the samples, before the remixes, there were the beats that made a trillion-dollar industry called Hip-Hop! On Sunday, November 5, 2023, Hip-Hop pioneers, fans, and purest as well as many Mount Vernonites gathered at The Mount Vernon Public Library located at 20 South First Avenue, for a 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop celebration, featuring the 1st generation of DJs and the breakbeats that changed the world.
The afternoon started off with an informative and powerful panel discussion titled “The Beats That Made Hip-Hop” featuring legendary Hip-Hop DJs Grand Wizard Theodore, Grand Mixer DXT, DJ Flame, DJ Mark C of the legendary Collins Brothers, DJ Tony Tone of the Cold Crush Brothers, ScratchMasta Jazzy G and DJ Rockin’ Rob hosted by GrandMaster Caz who treated the crowd with a brief but dope freestyle and is one of the people who provided the foundation for the culture and personally the emcee that made me want to pick up the mic and rock the crowd.
“The music, the breaks, the beats, the foundation of Hip-Hop. the music provided a platform for the dance and for everything else to happen, so there is no party without no music,” Caz told News 12’s Jade Nash who was giving a listen in scratch records during the program, by Kurtis “Baybe KLD” Lee.
Then you had DJ CON, an unending DJ Merry-Go-Round hosted by Kev Lawrence, with Grand Wizard Theodore-the inventor of the scratch, Tri-State Jericko-The Voice of Westchester, and a really special display in turntablism from DJ Supreme, the Grandmaster.
Followed by a live taping of Video Music Box hosted by “Uncle” Ralph McDaniels and co-hosted by Monet Helene, and then a Concert After-Party and The People Before Politics Radio Show.
This incredible event was coordinated by Curtis Sherrod, “Many hip-hop legends were made in Mount Vernon.” It’s another reason why Sherrod said the library wanted to host the program. “From Heavy D, Pete Rock, CL Smooth, to the Collins Brothers,” Sherrod said.
This is the second event by Sherrod. On Sunday, October 15th, 2023, at 2 p.m., he coordinated with the Mount Vernon Public Library on a seminal event. It’s called “A Great Day in Mount Vernon.”
All the photos below were taken by Renee Ham Yearwood.
News 12’s Jade Nash on the scratch at MVPL’s The Beats That Made Hip-Hop” event, Sunday, November 5, 2023 [Renee Ham Yearwood]
On election night, veteran Poughkeepsie City Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers became the first black woman mayor of the 32,000-person city, even though a third of the population is Black. Flowers turned back a challenge from schoolteacher and former Poughkeepsie cop Anthony LaRocca Jr. Flowers defeated Republican LaRocca in all eight city wards with 3,195 votes to 1,474.
Flowers stated after winning every ward, “People are ready for a change—they’re ready for this city to be united.” In front of supporters and council members, the enthusiastic mayor-elect said she was ready to begin. Flowers said she would relax on Wednesday, then work with the council on the 2024 proposed budget, her transition team, and the city administrator search.
Flowers is a lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie who has spent four terms representing the fifth ward. The daughter of the late John Flowers, a celebrated community organizer and carpenter in the city, Flowers touts a long history of community outreach and credits her family with inspiring her to get into politics. Flowers’ brother, Frank, says he couldn’t be prouder.
“I want to make sure that people don’t expect miracles because Yvonne is a human being. But what I want to really see from this is everyone learning from this experience and everyone playing their part,” he adds. “Everyone has to play their part. If everyone plays their part and puts a little bit in, we’re gonna get a great outcome.”
Flowers, first beat incumbent Mayor Marc Nelson in June’s Democratic Primary, who became mayor and city administrator in January after Rob Rolison was elected to the state senate last year.
Flowers received Nelson’s endorsement and the backing of other city lawmakers, many of whom attended the Democrat’s watch party at Refinery 51. In her victory speech, Flowers described a tiring and contentious campaign, but she urged her supporters to put the race behind them.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us. We already see the challenges that are in our city, and now it’s time to pull together and make that happen,” said Flowers. “You look in this room, and you see a diverse group of people in here. And it is time that we start getting rid of that divide in our city.”
Flowers is on the emergency housing facility stakeholders group created by the county legislature to provide input into the shelter process. She has also challenged the county’s decision to locate the shelter in her ward for the past two years. Flowers has advocated for better training and equipment for the city’s police force and to revitalize the Main Street Corridor.
The 170-year-old city of Poughkeepsie is home to the largest population of Black and minority residents in Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie will also have a few new faces on the council in January. Da’Ron Wilson ran unopposed for the councilman-at-large position and will assume the role of chairman when he takes office.
WESTCHESTER HAS IT OWN GEORGE FLOYD’S – SAY THEIR NAME, SAY THEIR NAME!!!
It’s that time of year again. As we gear up for the holiday, let’s not forget about the families in Westchester fighting for accountability and justice for their lost loved ones at the hands of the police. There are two vigils coming up that Black Westchester is asking all who can to come stand with the family. While it is important to stand for those who are killed by the police 1000s of miles away, like George Floyd, it is equally important to remember “Westchester Has It Own George Floyds.” Two of them were killed in November.
On Sunday, November 19th, come out and stand with the Chamberlain family at the 12th annual Commemoration of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. Come out and stand with Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. as he calls for accountability for his father, who was killed on November 19, 2011, by the White Plains Police Department, who showed up for a wellness check.
Let’s come out strong in numbers, on Sunday, November 19th, from 3:00 PM- 4:30 PM at the White Plains Public Safety Building, located at 77 So. Lexington Avenue, White Plains, NY
And then on Wednesday, November 29th, let’s come out strong to stand with Westpac and the Westchester Coalition for Police Reform (WCPR) in support of the family of Jonathan Maldonado.
Jonathan was killed on November 29, 2017, by the Greenburgh Police Department.
There will be a prayer vigil on November 29th at 4 p.m. at Webb Field, located at 210 N. Central Avenue in Hartsdale.
#JusticeForJonathan
Come stand with these families, show our support and keep both their names and the fight for justice and accountability alive.
