Welcome to the February 2024 issue of Black Westchester Newspaper
On The Town With Tanya With Author AJ Woodson
On The Town With Tanya chats with Author, AJ Woodson, “We Got Our Own Thang – A Look At Hip-Hop From The 914″ Check out interview I did about my new book with the On The Town With Tanya podcast
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!
My new book, ‘We Got Our Own Thang – A Look At Hip-Hop From The 914’ is available on Amazon or you can order your autographed copy directly from me via CashApp $MrAJWoodson, PayPal www.PayPal.me/BlackWestchesterMag or Venmo @AJ-Woodson-2 and send me your address. The book is $30 add $5 for postage.
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or TikTok and check out my 914 Hip-Hop Playlist on Spotify
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Congressman Jamaal Bowman Brings Over $1 Billion Back to NY-16 During His Time in Congress [Announcement]
![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]")
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.”
Check out the February 2024 digital edition of Black Westchester Newspaper
PBP RADIO – Episode 389 Importance Of The Black Vote and the local NAACP
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
1300 Republicans Shift Parties In Effort to Support Latimer and Real Democrats Plan to fight Back!
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.
Investor Exodus: Investors React to Trumps $355 Million Verdict
Prominent investors are making significant shifts in their business strategies following a notable legal ruling involving former President Donald Trump in New York. Grant Cardone, a real estate mogul, declared on Tuesday that his firm, Cardone Capital, would cease underwriting New York real estate. This decision came shortly after Kevin O’Leary, known from Shark Tank, expressed his decision to halt investments in the state due to the verdict.
The ruling, delivered by Judge Arthur Engoron, requires Trump to pay over $355 million for manipulating his net worth to gain tax and insurance advantages. Additionally, Trump and his sons are barred from conducting business in New York for three years.
Speaking on the Cats Roundtable radio show hosted by billionaire John Catsimatidis, Hochul aims to allay fears that the penalties imposed on Trump could negatively impact businesses in New York. She emphasizes that law-abiding businesspeople need not worry, as the circumstances surrounding Trump’s case are exceptional and do not reflect the typical behavior of New York entrepreneurs. Hochul acknowledges concerns raised by some business leaders regarding potential repercussions on the state’s business environment but highlights the unique nature of the case, where Trump and his allies allegedly manipulated real estate values to secure favorable loans and insurance rates.
During an interview with CNN, O’Leary remarked, “I believe this case transcends Trump entirely.” He stressed its wider ramifications for investors, expressing disapproval of what he perceived as selective prosecution in New York. O’Leary suggested that such actions unfairly target individuals like Trump for behaviors considered inappropriate, prompting investors to wonder, “Who will be targeted next?” He characterized the situation as a “victimless crime,” arguing that it did not cause any financial harm.
Coates raised concerns about the legal acknowledgment of crimes such as falsification of business records and insurance fraud, questioning whether these should have been prosecuted.
In response, O’Leary highlighted the unprecedented nature of the case, emphasizing that similar practices had gone unprosecuted for 75 years. He pointed out that activities like falsifying records were common among real estate developers worldwide and had never faced legal action before.
Expressing his apprehension about investing in New York again, O’Leary underscored his belief that the city’s actions were alienating investors and diminishing its appeal as a business hub.
Coates further delved into the broader ethical implications of business practices, challenging the normalization of fraudulent behavior within the industry.
O’Leary defended the industry’s reliance on banks for due diligence and emphasized the traditional negotiation processes between developers and financial institutions. His argument aimed to highlight the industry’s established norms rather than solely defending Trump.
He questioned the basis for the fraud allegations, emphasizing that the issue transcended Trump and underscored broader concerns about legal and ethical standards in the business world. “Excuse me. What fraud? This is not about Trump anymore.”
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Grant Cardone said, “Dear Cardone Capital team, Immediately discontinue ALL underwriting on New York City real estate. The risk outweigh the opportunities at this time. Recent political decisions will continue to deteriorate price and benefit states that don’t have these challenges. Focus on Texas & Florida.
Grant Cardone, CEO of Cardone Capital, made a decisive announcement via a post on X platform. He directed his team to cease all investment activities in New York City real estate immediately. Cardone cited concerns over recent political decisions, which he believes will lead to a decline in property prices.
In his message, Cardone emphasized the need to prioritize investor interests, stating that the risks currently outweigh the potential benefits of investing in New York City real estate. He expressed apprehension about the unpredictability of cash flow due to various factors such as legal rulings, migration patterns, and restrictions on evictions. Cardone highlighted the competitive advantage of states like Florida over New York, attributing it to what he perceives as New York’s unfavorable business environment.
Both investors emphasized that the issue transcends partisan politics and is more about the business environment in New York. They underscored the need for clarity and fairness in legal proceedings to maintain investor confidence in the state.
Congressman Bowman Endorsed By Fellow Educators
On the 59th anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, Congressman Jamaal Bowman received endorsements from representatives from the Alliance for Quality Education (AQE), leaders of the New York Working Families Party (NYWFP), and Citizen Action New York, in addition to local school parents, students, and activists organizing for stronger public schools.
Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Director of AQE, Bronx parent & Education Advocate Thomas Sheppard, Co-Director of NYWFP Jasmine Gripper, Parent & Greenburgh School Board Trustee Jamaal Thomas, Tanesha Grant & her Daughter-Harlem parent and grandmother, and Jamell Henderson of Citizen Action New York joined Rep. Bowman, Wednesday morning in front of One World Middle School at Edenwald (3750 Baychester Avenue in the Bronx) to show their support and share why they felt he should be re-elected to continue serving the 16th Congressional District.
“As an educator, I’m proud to be endorsed by AQE, and I’m excited to continue working with my fellow educators in fighting for stronger public schools in New York and across the country,” Congressman Bowman shared.
“Congressman Jamaal Bowman stands as a dedicated friend and ally of Alliance for Quality Education, earning our wholehearted endorsement for re-election,” said Alliance for Quality Education. “His unwavering advocacy for stronger public schools mirrors our collective goal to dismantle systemic racism and economic oppression in New York State’s public education system. Our endorsement is a rare expression of confidence, as we’ve backed only two other candidates in our 20+ year history. Congressman Bowman has proven himself to be a true and unwavering education warrior for New York’s public schools. During his tenure as principal at Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, he organized student walkouts and collaborated with AQE to host teach-ins in support of Black Lives Matter at Schools for two consecutive years. He quickly established his position again, during his brief time in Congress. We look forward to playing our role in helping send him back to Congress to continue championing increased funding for NYS’ public schools, supporting our dedicated teaching workforce, and pushing and passing legislation that improves education opportunities from birth to higher education.”
Rep. Bowman and AQE were joined by leaders of the New York Working Families Party and Citizen Action New York at today’s announcement outside One World Middle School at Edenwald.
In just three years in Congress, Rep Bowman has established a record of strengthening public schools and delivering progressive results for NY-16. Rep. Bowman has delivered over $1 billion in new investments for the district in affordable housing, safety, public schools, jobs, and health care. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Energy, Rep. Bowman helped write and pass the CHIPS and Science Act, which includes his legislation on STEM education. Rep. Bowman was also involved in negotiations to successfully pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes tax credits to fund new public school facility upgrades and reduce school district energy bills.
In addition to AQE, Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s re-election campaign is endorsed by:
- Rep. Yvette Clark
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- Congressional Black Caucus PAC
- Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC
- State Senator Jamaal Bailey
- NYC Comptroller Brad Lander
- NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
- NYC City Councilmember Kevin Riley
- Hastings-on-Hudson Mayor Nicola Armacost
- Mamaroneck Trustee Leilani Yizar-Reid
- Hastings-on-Hudson Trustee Doug Alligood
- Mamaroneck Trustee Manny Rawlings
- New Rochelle City Councilmember Shane Osinloye
- Former Westchester County Legislator Damon Maher
- Former Mount Vernon City Councilmember Lisa Copeland
- SEIU 1199
- National Nurses United
- Working Families Party
- Justice Democrats
- Sunrise Movement
- League of Conservation Voters
- The Jewish Vote
- Make the Road NY
- Citizen Action of NY
- NY Progressive Action Network
Westchester’s First Recreational Cannabis Dispensary Opens In Mount Vernon
Elevate Cannabis Dispensary, located at 127 S. Terrace Ave. in Mount Vernon, held its grand opening on Tuesday, February 20th at 11 am. Evevate, Westchester County’s first recreational dispensary, actually opened on December 5th, following a months-long legal battle that prevented dispensaries across the state from obtaining licenses.
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, City Council President Cathlin Gleason-Boncardo, and members of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management were among those present at the historic ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Although recreational marijuana has been legal in New York since 2021, the process of granting licenses to dispensaries has been slow. Elevate New York received its license on Dec. 4, and the soft opening followed shortly after a judge approved a settlement to end lawsuits that had hindered the state’s retail marijuana licensing program.
The settlement paves the way for an estimated 436 license holders to continue with their plans to open their businesses, according to The New York Times. While the lawsuits were in progress, the State created a new licensing period where 1,000 additional licenses would be open to applicants who didn’t qualify for the initial round of licensing. It’s expected that at least 40 recreational marijuana dispensaries in New York will be open for business by the end of 2023.
“What’s particularly heartening is not just seeing these stores open, but seeing who is operating them. Before the end of the year, we will have 12 Black-owned dispensaries operating and 5 Hispanic-owned dispensaries. Considering the national landscape, where Black and brown ownership of cannabis is exceedingly rare, I am incredibly proud of this result. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s a clear indication of our dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive cannabis industry,” New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander said in a press release.
About 20 percent of recreational cannabis dispensaries in New York are majority Black-owned while that number goes down to less than 0.2 percent when calculating all U.S. dispensaries.
Elevate Cannabis Dispensary in Mount Vernon won’t be the last recreational dispensary in Westchester NY. You’ll likely see more popping up soon as the following cities have voted to allow the sale of cannabis, according to the Yonkers Times as of April 1, 2023:
- Mount Vernon
- New Rochelle
- Pound Ridge
- Sleepy Hollow
- White Plains
The following Westchester County has passed laws preventing the sale of cannabis as of April 1, 2023:
- Ardsley
- Dobbs Ferry
- Eastchester
- Elmsford
- Harrison
- Irvington
- Larchmont
- Lewisboro
- Mamaroneck Town
- Mamaroneck Village
- Mount Kisco
- Mount Pleasant
- New Castle
- North Castle
- North Salem
- Pelham Manor
- Pleasantville
- Port Chester
- Rye City
- Rye Brook
- Somers
- Tuckahoe
- Yorktown
Elevate is planning a 420 Concert Festival, to be held on April 20 at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon. Panel discussions and music are among the plans for the annual event.
The new dispensary is open seven days a week, offering a variety of adult-use cannabis products from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Black Church Leaders Call for Halt to All US Funding of Israel Amid ‘Mass Genocide’
African Methodist Episcopal Church Leaders Call for Halt to All US Funding of Israel
The bishops accused Israel of denying Palestinians “access to food, water, shelter, and health care” and said that “after this torture, they plan to murder them.”
The African Methodist Episcopal Church’s top officials have called for the U.S. government to halt all its funding of Israel, citing the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in the Hamas-Israel war.
In its statement, the church’s Council of Bishops said in part:
“Today as we celebrate the birth of Richard Allen, the apostle of freedom, Israel has trapped 1.6 million desperate Palestinians in the southern Gaza city called Rafah. Most of them are women and children. They have denied them access to food, water, shelter, and health care. After this torture, they plan to murder them. The United States of America will have likely paid for the weapons they use. This must not be allowed to happen.
“The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church calls on the United States Government to immediately withdraw all funding and other support from Israel.”
“Since October 7, 2023, in retaliation for the brutal murder of 1,139 Israeli citizens by Hamas, Israel has murdered over 28,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The United States is supporting this mass genocide. This must not be allowed to continue.”
The statement was signed by Bishop Adam J. Richardson, senior bishop of the denomination; Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker, president of the bishops’ council; Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield, chair of social action, and Bishop Francine A. Brookins, co-chair of social action.
Bishop Harry L. Seawright, the leader of the AME’s Alabama district, said in a Thursday interview with Religion News Service that he and other bishops also supported the statement, which he said reflects the denomination’s stances on social action.
“We have always tried to take a social stand against injustice, unfair treatment of all people,” he said.
On Saturday, February 17th, The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, welcomed a statement by the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“We welcome this principled statement by the African Methodist Episcopal Church Council of Bishops as a reflection of the growing movement nationwide in support of Palestinian humanity and human rights. The Biden administration must respond to the majority of Americans who seek an end to Israeli government’s ethnic cleansing and genocide by demanding an immediate ceasefire and a just resolution to the crisis that recognizes that Palestinians are also human beings worthy of life, freedom and dignity.”
CAIR condemned the far-right Israeli government’s latest war crime in Gaza after at least five patients died when their oxygen ran out as Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital was stormed by Israeli troops in violation of international humanitarian law.
While several Christian organizations and leaders have called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas – including the National Council of the Churches in Christ – or offered aid to Christians and Muslims living in the Gaza Strip, this is the first such call for a cessation of all American assistance to the Jewish State.
Last week, The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) and Majlis Ash Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of New York condemned Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s refusal to say that all Muslims are not part of Hamas in a Facebook post relating to his New York Times exposé.
The AME is one of the oldest Black church denominations in the United States. The announcement came out on the birthday of the church’s founder, Richard Allen, who laid the foundation for the church in 1787. Allen was an enslaved person who bought his freedom before founding the church.
‘We remain in solidarity with Jesus Christ of Nazareth, a Palestinian Jew’
“There must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire between these two communities,” the AME bishops wrote. “Surely there is a grassroots solution that affirms the dignity and humanity of all God’s people in Palestine and Israel. The tools of empire, colonialism, and domination will not solve the problems they created.
“The cycle of violence between historically wounded peoples will not be dissolved by the creation of more wounds or through weapons of war,” they continued. “We remain in solidarity with Jesus Christ of Nazareth, a Palestinian Jew, and the Prince of Peace.”
