Black Westchester Power Hour 914 Spotlight STSI Founder Cheryl Brannan, Germaine Scott & Zelda Strong—Diaz Board Co-chairpersons & A Strong Team of Sistahs on the MOVE!
Check out the show and hear about their 4 pillars and how you can get involved:
-STEM & STEAM; Entrepreneurship, Pay Equity and Economic Prosperity; Black Maternal Health and Social and Juvenile Justice
– Black Breastfeeding and Westchester Black Maternal and Child Center of Excellence Update
-Africa on My Mind
– STSI’S participation in PANAFEST this year and how you can get involved with our projects in Africa; Black Doll Project, by Yedidah Yehudah STSI Steering Committee Member
Last week, on Monday, September 18, 2023, Pace University’s Black Student Union hosted a School Supply Drive. Students got together to donate supplies they did not need anymore for students who were in need of back-to-school materials. The event was held in Kessel’s Multipurpose Room from 4–7 p.m. I got a chance to speak with some of our e-board members to hear their thoughts and feelings on the event:
When asked how she feels about the drive, junior Danielle Shoulders expressed, “The school supply drive is a great way to get college students and their community active. I’m proud BSU is a place that promotes togetherness in all forms.” (Danielle Shoulders, BSU Senate) Sophomore Jaiden McCrorey says, “It’s incredibly inspiring to see how our community has joined together to support fellow students in the county. Many more students now have the resources they need to excel in school as a result of this drive!”
As the school year kicks off, sophomore Mekhi Solomon states, “I felt the school supply drive was great for us to come together and give back to our community. As someone who is a student himself, I know how important it is to have the necessary supplies to get through your school day and I am happy to say that we provided those materials for someone.” (Mekhi Solomon, Brand Ambassador)
Photo credits: Mekhi Soloman, Pace University
On behalf of the student-led club, I can say it’s always a wonderful feeling to give back to your community and those in need.
“If I don’t need the supplies, I’d rather someone else have them than me,” says Melissa Louis (BSU President).
The School Supply Drive was a successful event since we were able to gather a plethora of pens, pencils, markers, and notebooks. All of the items are set to be delivered to a school nearby. Furthermore, BSU has special plans for their Pace community as we dive more into the pumpkin spice season.
We will be hosting a Pumpkin Carving Contest on Monday, October 23rd, in the Kessel Multipurpose Room from 6-8 pm. Lastly, our annual BSU Block Party will be happening on Saturday, November 4th, from 6–9 p.m. in Gottesman. This year the party is pajama-themed, so roll out of bed and come down to the party! You won’t want to hit snooze on this one. (Open to Pace students only; no outside guests are allowed.) See you next time, Westchester 🙂
Written by: Melissa Louis, senior Communications major at Pace University
Democrats were attempting to gerrymander, which led to newly drawn lines by a special master and the turnover of several Democrats, which eventually led to the Dems losing the house. In 2024, local NY Dems will not only attempt to flip those seats, but one other Dem may have a formable foe.
News 12’s Tara Rosenblum has learned and reported that Westchester County Executive George Latimer has reportedly been approached by Democratic donors, Police Unions, and Jewish Groups about primarying Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the 16th Congressional District, which spans part of the northern Bronx and half of Westchester County. The move to unseat the popular incumbent in the safely blue district raised immediate eyebrows among political observers. But if he chose to run, Latimer could give Bowman a serious challenge, especially as Bowman faces headwinds on the issue of Israel.
CE Latimer told News12 that he is “thinking about the advice I have been given and will have more to come.” He didn’t immediately respond when Black Westchester asked him if he is in fact running or now, so the prospect of whether he would actually run remains murky. Latimer just won reelection to his second term as Westchester County executive in 2021 but will be term-limited out of office in 2025. Latimer’s 2021 victory to serve a second term as County Executive was his 20th consecutive political win, which Black Westchester understands is a history-making moment in New York. He faced off against Republican Christine Sculti and took just under 60% of the vote.
Latimer previously served as a member of the New York State Senate for the 37th District from 2013 to 2017, served on the Rye city council, in the Westchester County legislature, and in the New York State Assembly. Latimer was elected as the Westchester County Executive in November 2017, defeating Incumbent Republican Rob Astorino. As of 2021, Latimer has never lost an election in three decades in public office.
Latimer first ran for public office in 1987; he won a seat on the Rye City Council, finishing first in a field of six major party candidates. Latimer was elevated in 1991 to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, becoming the first-ever Democrat to win the 7th District seat, representing the City of Rye, Village of Larchmont, and Mamaroneck Town and Village. Latimer was re-elected in 1993, 1995, and 1997; in January 1998, Democrats won a majority of seats in the County Board for the first time in 90 years. Latimer was elected to chair the board and was the first Democrat ever to do so. He was re-elected to his legislative seat in 1999 and served a second term as chairman from 2000 to 2001.
Latimer did not seek a third term as chair in 2002, having been re-elected to a sixth term in the Westchester County Legislature.
Westchester County Democrats elected him County Democratic Party Chairman in September 2002, where he served one two-year term. After re-election to the County Legislature in 2003, Latimer sought and won a seat in the New York State Assembly in 2004. In the Assembly, Latimer represented the 91st District, which included the Sound Shore communities of New Rochelle, Rye Brook, and Port Chester alongside the communities of his County Legislative District. He defeated his Republican opponent Vincent Malfetano, with over 68% of the vote, carrying each of the district’s seven cities, towns, and villages. Latimer was re-elected to the Assembly seat without opposition in 2006 and scored 71% of the vote in his 2008 victory over Republican Rob Biagi. Latimer won a fourth Assembly term in 2010, defeating Conservative Republican Bill Reed with 67% of the vote.
Latimer, who was born in Mount Vernon and enjoys the city’s support, could also put a dent in Bowman’s large democratic block on Mount Vernon. And Yonkers as well, since Mayor Mike Spano is not a fan of Bowman. There have also been rumors that Latimer has his eye on the Governor’s seat, the only thing we know for sure is this is his last term as County Executive.
In early July Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s comments about the Police Shooting in New Rochelle of Jarrell Garris, calling the shooting “police brutality,” sparked outrage among Police organizations.
Rep. Bowman also recently announced that he would not be attending the address of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Congress. In a statement, Bowman writes, “My decision to not attend in no way stems from a lack of support for the existence of the State of Israel. On the contrary, it is out of concern that there is no sense of urgency about ensuring the safety and security of all Israelis and Palestinians in the region and finally achieving a two-state solution. This is also an informed decision made out of engagement and deep listening to President Herzog, members of parliament, Israeli and Palestinian scholars, and community members in the region who experienced settler violence and dispossession. While President Herzog has stated settlements should be frozen and claims to oppose settler violence, he has remained silent as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has expanded settlements that are illegal under international law and has appointed Ministers that seek the anti-democratic annexation of the West Bank and the demise of any two-state solution with the Palestinians.”
“While I appreciate and understand that the invitation to Herzog to speak to Congress over Netanyahu is a strong statement against Netanyahu’s extremist actions, Herzog on his own must answer key questions on how we will arrive at a two-state solution, ending annexation, child detention, home demolition, settler violence and the killing of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. At this time, although Herzog is viewed as a centrist statesman, he has not yet shown the actions of pro-democracy and a pro-peace agenda. I strongly support a democratic Israel and a Palestinian state that is able to thrive with peace and security.”
Bowman’s comments drew some rebukes from many members of the Jewish community in Westchester, and combined with his comments against the Police, a number of wealthy donors, members of police organizations, and Jewish groups, have begun to look for a candidate who might challenge Bowman in a democratic primary next year.
Despite Latimer’s strong undefeated record, it wouldn’t be wise to count Bowman, who enjoys the support from several grassroots organizations in the county, including the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC). Bowman has the support of many activists and advocates and has a strong ground game. He did unseat longtime Congressman Eliot Engel in 2020 to become the first African American to represent the district in the House of Representatives and managed to survive a heated race for re-election in 2022, fending off two Westchester County legislators – Vedat Gashi and Catherine Parker in the primary and Republican Dr. Miriam Flisserin the November General Election. In fact, Black Westchester was among the endorsements Bowman received in his bid for re-election. BW has been told a letter-writing campaign from Westchester Progressive is in the works to urge Latimer not to challenge Bowman.
As far as the rebuke from the Jewish community goes, Bowman has never really enjoyed their support on his two victories. in 2022, two former members of Congress known for their support for Israel are backing a challenger to Jamaal Bowman. Both former Rep. Eliot Engel, who was ousted by Bowman in 2020 after 32 years in Congress, and former Rep. Nita Lowey, the retired Jewish lawmaker who represented the northern suburbs and parts of Queens and the Bronx for 32 years, both endorsed Gashi, to no avail. Bowman did enjoy the endorsements of J Street’s PAC and the progressive Jewish group The Jewish Vote.
I wouldn’t be so quick to count out the bold and unapologetic congressman because he has proved he has staying power. Bowman beat Gashi by nearly 30 points.
Anyway, as you slice it, this will be a heavily watched election. Both candidates are known to take a punch and a dominant counter-puncher. As of right now, this is all speculation since Latimer hasn’t officially announced but it would be a great fight. In the potential match-up, who will be the last man standing?
Robert ‘Dr. Bob’ Baskerville leads an important conversation on Solar For All on Episode 380 of Black Westchester presents the People Before Politics Radio Show on Sunday, September 10, 2023.
Welcome to our special Six-Year Anniversary Issue of Black Westchester.
This issue celebrates several anniversaries, including the 9-year anniversary of BlackWestchester.com, and the People Before Politics Radio Show, as well as the 6-year anniversary of Black Westchester Newspaper. We also made the prestigious City & State Magazine Westchester Power 100 list for the fourth straight year
We want to take this time to thank all of you, we could not have gotten here without you and we are dedicated to continuing delivering The News With The Black Point Of View and continue to give you that Real Talk For The Community!
Send us your feedback and let us know what you think of this issue and let us know subjects or topics you would like to see us cover in the future by sending an email to BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com.
Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. stops by Black Westchester presents the People Before Politics Radio Show, on Sunday, August 20, 2023, to discuss the City of White Plains Common Council approval of the $5 million settlement with his family, twelve years after his father Kenneth Chamberlain was killed by the White Plains Police Department.
Friends and family of Jarrell Garris marched from Starbucks in Wykagyl on North Avenue to the New Rochelle Police Department on Friday, July 21st to honor his life. The 37-year-old unarmed Black man was shot and killed by New Rochelle Detective Stephan Conn.
Bodycam footage released by the NRPD shows officers and a detective confronting Garris on Lincoln Avenue and asking about stolen food on July 3. Police say Garris reached at one of the officer’s guns, which is when Garris was shot, but all three body cam videos shut off before the fatal shot and contradict the department’s statement.
Family members told Black Westchester, Garris suffered from mental illness and that police in the area knew of him. They are demanding Det. Conn be fired.
“Tonight, I’m really praying for unity and that people that see this march understand that this could be your son, this can be your dad, this can be your sister, this can be your brother,” said Reverend Jamel Hollis. “It’s going to be important that everybody gets involved.”
All three of the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Raymond Fowler father of Jarrell Garris address friend, family and supporters on steps on NRPD [Black Westchester]
“I promise you, on everything I love, I ain’t going nowhere; I’m gonna stand on these right here (pointing to his feet); I’m standing ten toes down; I ain’t going nowhere until we get justice for my son,” Raymond Fowler, father of Jarrel (pictured above), said on the steps on the New Rochelle Police Department located at 475 North Avenue, after the march. “Yall gotta be mindful; they think we’re gonna tear up shit, we going to beat them with this (he says, pointing to his brain) and their own law. Cause they knew they violated my son’s human rights, they killed him like an animal. [Detective] Stephen Conn is a coward. Anytime you hear the code word gun, that means shoot. That’s what that is, that’s the code word for shoot. You got a taser, you got pepper spray, and you wanted to shoot him. Why? Shoot him and paralyze him instantly. On Monday I meet with the AG, but it doesn’t even matter cause at the end of the day I know who the best of planners is, it ain’t mankind, Allah is the best planner, God is the best planner and that’s who I put my faith and my trust in. they tried to smear my son talking about his charges, what about Steve Conn’s charges? How the hell did he end up being a police officer? Huh? You got an assault charge, you shooting up dogs and you still become an officer? How do you serve and protect, how is that possible? If anybody needs a psych evaluation, it’s Steve Conn. On June 9th they promoted him to Detective. So as a detective, you are supposed to de-escalate the situation, not escalate it and that’s what he did. Show all the video, show all the body cam, dont edit that shit out, let’s see all of it, show all of it. they claimed my son reached for a gun, show when yall are beating my son before you shot him. They’re not going to do that. They are trying to paint this false narrative. That’s why I made it my business to be here today and that’s why I made it business to be there when it first happened, And I aint going nowhere, as long as I have breath in my body, regardless of what the decision is, I know the law and I’m gonna do what I gotta do.” (“And we gonna be here with you,” shouted out the crowd).
“As a community, we can’t accept it,” said New Rochelle NAACP Acting President Aisha Cook at the start of the march. “We need to be out here, we need to be in force and we need to make sure that everybody knows that we do not stand for it, it’s not ok.
Distressing bodycam video captured the moment police in Westchester County fatally shot a man accused of stealing fruit – which his father described as a “modern-day lynching.”
Three New Rochelle cops — identified as Kari Bird, Gabrielle Chavarry, and Detective Steven Conn — confronted Jarrell Garris, 37, at a grocery store on July 3. Detective Conn fired one round, which hit Garris in the neck and impacted his cervical spine and spinal cord, the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office said July 12.
Garris remained in a coma and was taken off life support on July 10. His death was ruled a homicide and is being investigated by the state Attorney General’s Office.
The AG’s Office of Special Investigation takes over when a police officer may have caused a person’s death, according to state law. Stay tuned to Black Westchester for updates on this case!
On July 16, 2023, we discussed the findings of the recently released redacted report…
In November 2022, the Board retained an outside firm, Cerini & Associates, LLP (“Cerini”), to examine all aspects of the District’s grant procurement, selection of vendors, payments, and all related issues, with an initial focus on one particular vendor. Cerini has completed this review as it relates to this first vendor and has issued a comprehensive final report setting forth certain findings and recommendations for the Board’s review and consideration. As previously promised, the Board is now releasing the attached report in redacted form for the community’s review.
The Board and the administrative team will be working closely in the coming months to create an action plan to address the finding(s) and recommendation(s) set forth in the report, to the extent necessary and appropriate. It should also be noted that the ongoing investigation commenced by the US Attorney’s Office on February 10, 2023, has not been completed. Nor has any timeline been provided to the District as to an anticipated completion date.
In deference to this ongoing investigation, the Board does not intend at this juncture to issue any further public comments regarding the report.
