Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Episode 352: A Discussion of Adoptions And Foster Care with those who have been adopted, been in foster care, and have been in the system and now are working to help those in the system
PBP Radio Episode 351 – A Courageous Conversion on Manhattan Ave Mural Controversy
Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Show – Episode 351 with your hosts Damon K. Jones & AJ Woodson and co-hosts Robert ‘Dr. Bob’ Baskerville & Lane Cobb for a Courageous Conversion on Manhattan Ave Mural Controversy with Greenburgh Town Councilmembers Ken Jones and Gina Jackson, Mural Artist Kindo Art, Community Organizer Clifton Earl Abrams, attorney L’Tanya Watkins and more
Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez and the Importance of Representation in Government
As a young girl, she would walk around the neighborhood and supermarket with her mother introducing herself to people saying, “Hi my name’s Nati.” Today she does the same except she says, “Hi I am Nathalia Fernandez, I’m running for state senate.”
Nathalia Fernandez, Democrat, serves as the New York State assemblymember for the 80th Assembly District in the Bronx consisting of areas including Allerton, Pelham Gardens, Morris Park, and others. While in this role, Fernandez has provided $125,000 in funding to Bronx Community College students, passed criminal justice and police reform bills, and most recently she has proposed a new bill called the 21st Century Anti-Stalking Act alongside New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes. With this bill, victims of online and digital harassment and stalking would be able to obtain a restraining order more easily.
“I have been a present, reliable, and responsive public servant. I don’t even like to say elected official, we are here to do a service and it’s important that we go to the people to hear what service is needed so we can properly deliver it.” Fernandez said.
Fernandez, 34, is also currently running for New York State Senate District 34, a position if elected, would serve for two years. This district consists of areas in both the Bronx and Westchester County. She is excited to continue advocating for issues such as reproductive rights, climate resilience, reducing gas emissions, increasing transportation access, and improving infrastructure such as potholes. With the primaries scheduled for August 23rd, Fernandez is most excited to connect with the people of this district and to continue raising awareness of the issues they face.
“Everybody deserves to be seen and heard,” Fernandez said. “So, in me recognizing and speaking and learning from the diverse communities within my community, it only helps me to push for legislation that would not only affect the loudest constituents but even the quietest constituents. This is me inserting myself. I’m coming to meet you where you are and to learn from you
directly.”
Additionally, as a daughter of immigrant parents from Cuba and Colombia, Fernandez takes pride in where she comes from and strives for continued representation in positions of government for women of color.
“Growing up it’s always been scarce to see leaders like me, not even just the color of my skin but even the texture of my hair. It’s been very rare to see leaders like me,” Fernandez said.
Also understanding this, is Emma Hernando, who self identifies as Cuban and is originally from Miami, Florida. She currently works at New Deal Strategies, a consulting firm that focuses on working on campaigns, causes, and electing “better Democrats.” As a press and digital associate, Hernando, 23, has worked closely with Fernandez on her campaign for District 34 state senate. Through this, she has learned about the “many shades of Democrat there are,” which has helped her to better understand the dynamics between this political party and its members.
In addition to that, Hernando is glad to work for a company that is woman-owned and consists of a team that is bilingual and majority women. She also takes pride in working alongside Fernandez looks up to her as a representation of women of color within the government. Throughout their work together, Fernandez has provided Hernando with thoughtful conversations and mentorship regarding being a woman of color within politics and how to overcome impostor syndrome. Impostor syndrome is “also called perceived fraudulence, refers to an internal experience of self-doubt and believing you are not as competent as others perceive you to be” according to Simply Psychology.
“You never need to let yourself feel small in a room. You belong there, you deserve to be there,” Hernando said. “I feel like I’ve been treated as professional and as someone who’s respected in my ability to get things done…It’s been really cool to be in that space where I’m seeing her (Fernandez) do these things and it’s like, anyone can do this, regardless of their background.”
With the month of August just beginning and the primaries approaching, Fernandez has continued to secure endorsement from officials such as Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Senator Jamaal Bailey, and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes have remarked on her as a “fearless voice” and “passionate fighter for criminal justice reform. In addition, Pelham NY Democrats and the New York State Nurses Association are among a few groups who have also demonstrated endorsement for her campaign.
“I really have to be thankful for the support systems out there as women, as women of color, that
have come to me to give me this encouragement,” Fernandez said. “In the years that I’ve been in
this world, and doing this work, it’s been so encouraging and motivating to see women before
me and women behind me, just say ‘thank you because you said something…thank you for being
a face for us”
Congressman Jamaal Bowman Throws Campaign Party To Celebrate Opening of Headquarters In Mount Vernon
U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman hosted a campaign office opening party to celebrate the new space which will serve as a hub for campaigning efforts to take place and supporters to gather. The event took place on Friday, July 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the office is located at 550 Gramatan Ave. Mount Vernon, NY 10552.
At the event, Bowman greeted constituents with music, food and yard signs that read “Jamaal Bowman NY16 Democrat for Congress Vote August 23,” signifying the upcoming Democratic party primary on August 23 that will determine which Democratic candidate will run in the district’s general election on November 8th according to Ballotpedia.org. New York’s 16th District consists of the northern Bronx and sections of Westchester County including Mount Vernon, Yonkers, and New Rochelle. Rep. Bowman is running for re-election to continue representing this district.
“I’m so grateful for all the support we’ve gotten over the years. When we ran for office in 2019 no one had a shot, but we won a historic victory because we built a diverse coalition if amazing people, smart people, people who really care about the community and care about this country” Bowman said. “It’s a real blessing to be able to continue to do this work, continue to engage the community.”
Bowman currently sits on the House Committee on Education and Labor and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology in the 117th Congress. During this term in 2021, he also unveiled the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act which would aim to upgrade public school buildings to combat climate change.
Among the attendees included other local government officials and supporters like Anushka Kumar. Kumar, 17, is the CEO and founder of an organization called, The Promise We Share. As a constituent from Scarsdale, she was excited to attend Bowman’s event because of his assistance and collaboration to uphold the mission of The Promise We Share, “to lift high-risk families out of the poverty cycle through nutrition, education and community health services.”
“Congressman Bowman has helped me take my work to the next level,” Kumar said. “He is so keen on connecting the nonprofit circle and the advocacy happening in his community.”
Kumar also works on Congressman Bowman’s campaign by phone banking. She calls constituents to inform them about the candidates running, how to register to vote, and tells them about Bowman’s efforts and work within the community.
“Young people can expect to have a seat at the table,” Bowman said. “The young minds of the country are the ones that are going to rebuild the country and give us the vision and hold us accountable for what needs to be done.”
In a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that provided the constitutional right to an abortion on June 24. Bowman has expressed that he will continue to advocate for abortion rights and reproductive rights.
“I think it’s good that Congressman Bowman is continuing this fight,” said Matthew Barotz, 17, high school student within the district. “This is a time that we need to take action right now, so his stance on continuing to fight for abortion nationally is really important.”
Additionally, Barotz is excited for the new campaign office space to once again collaborate and work with other Bowman supporters in person, given the limited interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic these past two years.
“When you’re trying to phonebank alone in your room is so different from phone banking in a whole office where everyone is sharing the same ideas and really excited about the candidate,” he said.
“When Congressman Bowman is there, the energy that he brings to the room is unmatched with anyone you’ll ever meet,” Barotz said. “Anytime you speak with him, he always gives encouraging words, he always gives you something memorable that you’re going to take with you.”
Echoing this same sentiment is David Smalls, 20, who is currently participating in a fellowship called Bowman for Congress Summer Organizing Fellowships. He was able to secure this position by what he calls “shooting his shot” and sending a direct message to Bowman asking about an opportunity to help with his campaign.
Not only was Smalls glad at how quickly and receptive Bowman connected him with this program, but also by his down to earth demeanor and ability to genuinely connect with his community.
“Growing up I’ve always thought of people in Congress, people in the government, I thought they were untouchable, unreachable,” Smalls said. “But I’ve seen with Representative Bowman…he is literally a part of the community…and places people as a first priority…he makes you feel like you’re his family.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming primary election, residents like Tasha Young, from Greenburgh, are looking forward to seeing how Bowman will continue to impact the district as she believes he is “inclusive of everyone and is productive.” Young also believes that “pain points,” or issues that people feel directly impacted by, should be steppingstone for individuals to get involved in local politics. That way they can research and vote for representatives that they feel aligns with their beliefs.
Mount Vernon Youth Talk Event
Students, parents, and politicians gathered together for the Mount Vernon Youth Talk event at Allen Memorial Church. It was hosted by the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau on Monday, June 13 in efforts to engage young people about a variety of issues and topics pertaining to the city.
The program included youth panelists who each had an opportunity to ask questions to the invited elected officials that were previously submitted by others. Among the elected officials were County Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, County Executive George Latimer and County Legislator David Tubiolo.
Some of the topics that were discussed included how the youth can become more involved in local government, school safety, the completion of Memorial Field, medical facilities, and mental health services.
“It was important for me to be a panelist because I felt like there aren’t a lot of youth, especially in Mount Vernon who actually try to effect change,” said Gaila Battle, peer specialist at the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester. “As a young person who’s been born and raised in Mount Vernon, I thought it was important, for especially the younger youth, to see young people can make a change too.”
One issue that the panelists were vocal about included the abandoned properties in Mount Vernon that have contributed to the depreciation of neighboring homes. Additionally, “the lowest income neighborhoods of Mt. Vernon, found in zip code 10550, were the most negatively affected, with 58% of the total calculated property value loss affecting homes in that zip code” according to a 2017 report by Senator Jeff Klein and Senator Jamaal Bailey.
“On the county level, I’m the chair of the housing committee and what I’ve done so far is I’ve reached out to my county association which is called NYSAC and I’m looking for funding right now to see what money and what resources we have available to then lend to the city of Mount Vernon to clean up these zombie homes,” said Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, Westchester County Legislator, at the event.
Additionally, some youth attendees like Day-von Jackson, 21, were interested in hearing about Mount Vernon Hospital, given the fight that nurses and community allies did to keep it open. Jackson, who is currently studying diagnostic medical sonography at Monroe College, would like to one day give back to Mount Vernon by providing medical assistance.
“I wouldn’t mind working here because this is where I’m from you know,” Jackson said. “I feel like it’s a sense of pride to bring something to the city to do your part.”
The panelists also asked questions about about mental health services and hiring trained counselors for students at school. In response, Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden who served as the executive director of the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, encouraged the youth to become the next generation of trained mental health professionals.
“We need to look to all of you because there is a shortage of qualified individuals that can work on mental health issues,” Harris-Madden said. “So I would challenge all of you in the room to consider maybe becoming a psychologist…if you want to see change we have to see ourselves reflected in places that we’re in.”
62.7 percent of the population in Mount Vernon is Black and 17.4 percent is Hispanic or Latino according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Being able to see representation in local government is also what some people believe will encourage the youth to get involved in community efforts.
The Hispanic population in Westchester County is also becoming more prevalent as it is the “third most common ethnic group,” according to data from Data USA.
“There’s going to be a big cultural change over the next couple of years in Mount Vernon and it might be helpful to stir things up and we can get more community organization,” said Gavin Tomlinson Lue, 23, from the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau and department of public works.
“I think it’s going to be something that we could look forward to honestly in terms of unity and for fighting issues in the future,” he said.
As the moderator of the event, Precious Ferrell, 24, is excited to continue hosting more youth talk events for the city and advocating for change. She previously worked at the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau and now works at Westchester Jewish Community Services.
“I’m grateful to be in the position I’m in, to say I can give back to my community and start to make a difference because every little bit helps,” Ferrell said. “If I’m able to say ‘Okay, I did this event for the kids,’ that’s just one way I can help them out, and maybe see something in a different light than what they’re used to.”
Mount Vernon Community Gathers For Gun Violence Awareness Month
Bright orange balloons, ribbons, outfits, and posters saying “End Gun Violence” were on display at the Gun Violence Awareness Month kickoff event at the Doles Center in Mount Vernon. Community members and partners gathered to speak about gun violence within the nation and how Mount Vernon can work to end this growing “epidemic” on June 7.
Across the country mass shootings such as in a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, and more recently in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, have called communities to speak up against gun violence as the number of mass shootings are increasing. As of today there have been 254 mass shootings according to the Gun Violence Archive. Among that number, 158 deaths were of children aged 0-11 and 569 deaths were of teens aged 12-17. Overall there are a total of 19,200 gun violence deaths.
Among the attendees and speakers included Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Pastor Damon Mack, council president Derrick Thompson, journalist Samson Styles, Cynthia Turnquest-Jones, founder of Tha Brown Urban Mother Partners, Inc., the Mount Vernon Police Department, and others. Additionally, organizations including the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester, Westhab, and SNUG Outreach were present providing information about the work that they do specifically for the youth population.
“Other than wasted potential there’s no greater loss than robbed potential” said Pastor Damon Mack from the L.I.V.E. church. “Every time a gun goes off and takes one of our young kings and queens that is potential that we are robbed because that life may be the very answer to some questions that we need answered.”
Many victims of gun violence include young people who have yet to experience things such as graduation, prom or getting their driver’s license. Speakers passionately urged parents and older members of the community to have open conversations with the young people in their lives to teach them about the dangers of gun violence. They also expressed their desire to be a listening ear for young people in times of hardships and need so that rather than taking to the streets, they know they have a support system.
“We have to be proactive instead of reactive” Thompson said. “Let’s intervene as soon as we can and let’s love on our brothers and sisters…sometimes it’s just that hug from that one person or that positive conversation from that one person that makes a difference.”
The rampant gun violence has also led to some citizens wanting more legislation passed such as requiring federal background checks and increasing the minimum age to purchase a rifle.
Cynthia Turnquest-Jones expressed the low voter turnout rates in Mount Vernon and how important voting is to getting specific policies passed.
“I implore you to get out and vote” Turnquest-Jones said. “The problem is the fact that when I leave, I don’t know what’s going to happen to the children because individuals are not voting now, it counts for later on.”
“I need you to make sure that the senators and congress individuals are voting for the proper laws in place to make sure that our children are going to be safe,” she said.
Additionally Mayor Patterson-Howard emphasized the importance of encouraging young people to participate in the events that will be taking place in the month of June including a roller skating event and a youth talk forum as a way to further connect them to positive activities.
As the event wrapped up, directly across the street young children from Mount Vernon and members of the Mount Vernon Police Department played basketball together. Perhaps a testament to the desired community engagement and safety within the city that so many of the speakers echoed.
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Kicked Off First-Ever Annual Power Circle Event This Spring
This spring the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC) held it’s first ever annual Westchester Power Circle event at Westchester Community College to represent black women who occupy political spaces all throughout the county.
President of the WBWPC, Subomi Macaulay worked diligently alongside the organization’s members to put the event together. “For years and decades black women have been the powerful force, getting people elected into their positions and they take our vote for granted. We have to turn the tables and say listen, if you want our vote, you have to earn it” says Macaulay. Political figures all throughout the state showed their support for the event. Westchester’s very own black female leaders like: NYS Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Mayor of Mount Vernon, Shawyn Patterson-Howard, and Yonkers City Court Judge, Verris Shako, in addition to many others were in attendance.
Many of the women had some words of encouragement to share with audience members, as a reminder to continue working in leadership, while emphasizing the importance of integrity and influence. “I believe we are being called upon to take a position on something”, says Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins who was the opening speaker,”If you don’t know who you are, then you can’t stand up against anybody and you can’t stand up for anybody”. The State Majority Leader also emphasized the value of empathy while making decisions in leadership. “You only benefit from knowing what other people have gone through. It allows you to make a better decision”.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard who took the stage just moments later, spoke about the significance of housing rights, access to education, and even reproductive health rights. Howard, who attended a rally for reproductive rights last year, cited a woman who held up a sign that read, “Black Babies Matter”. To which the Mount Vernon Mayor replied, “they absolutely matter, but they can’t just matter when they’re in their mothers womb. They have to matter when they need education, when they are living in neighborhoods that are unsafe, they have to matter when racist extremists are shooting them down in super markets’’.The event, which took place just days after the tragedy of the Buffalo massshooting, was crucial, serving as a reminder and importance of communal support.
The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus has been a force in the Westchester political sphere and has both nurtured and supported the advancement of black women for more than 37 year, within its 5 chapters throughout the county. Many of their members are district leaders, state committee members, convention delegates, commissioners, party chairs and community organizers. Verris Shako, who is the first African-American Woman to sit as the City Court Judge in Yonkers. Judge Shako who handles anything from criminal, housing, or even civil cases is a former member of WBWPC, says that the organization was instrumental in helping her run for the Yonkers City Court Judge. The women in the organization assisted her with apartment canvassing and increasing her community profile.
“These events are important so that people become aware of the work that we are doing, so that we can address the issues that are occurring in our community…it helps to bring the members of the organization together to fulfill their mission”.
Tai Johnson, who serves as the Director of WBWP’s Yonkers Chapter, speaks to the organization’s impact on its members, “we empower black women in Westchester and have many of our own who started out in this organization and with our support and became elected”.
President, Subomi Macaulay hopes to increase the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus membership enrollment. Since becoming President of the organization last year, she has increased their membership enrollment from 88 to 191 and has helped to raise nearly $30,000 dollars since her term began. “I’m focused on not only empowering and nurturing black women but leaving a legacy for the next generation. Macaulay is hoping to reach the younger generation of women ages 18-30 and to show black women of all ages that they deserve a seat at the table”.
While this year’s Westchester Power Circle event marks the first, the organization is prepared to present the Westchester community with many more to come!
About The Author: Tatiana Pinheiro is a Character Education instructor for a global non-profit organization and freelance entertainment journalist for SOHH.com, a hip-hop news website. She enjoys writing poetry, critical essays, film, and photography. She hopes to continue to grow her skill set as a multimedia journalist, eventually focusing on issues like segregation, and public housing. She is currently working on a curated Instagram project, @nooomoreapologies which uses fashion, imagery, poetry, messaging, and juxtaposition to challenge stereotypes and the hood perception. ” I want people to understand that when you come from the hood or any sort of marginalized community, you can defy the odds and be so much more than your expected to be. There is power in owning who and where you are in life, especially if it doesn’t fit the standard and I have never fat the standard.”
Mount Vernon’s Memorial Field Continued Construction Becomes A Sign For “Better Days Ahead Of Us”
As a newly retired United States Postal Service employee, Melvin Jones, 65, is excited to use his free time to once again run laps around the track and sit down on the bleachers of the newly renovated Memorial Field, to reminisce on the nearly 50 years in which he’s grown up in the city of Mount Vernon.
After being closed down for over 10 years and going through four different mayors, the construction and rebuilding of Mount Vernon’s Memorial Field is currently in progress. In partnership with Westchester County, the field is now set to be completed by the late summer of 2022 and open in the fall of 2022 according to an interview with Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.
Like Jones, many residents of Mount Vernon have long awaited the reopening of Memorial Field. A place where community members exercised as early as 5 a.m., gathered for events like concerts and cheered on their Mount Vernon Football team, the Knights, at games.
Growing up, Jones considered Memorial Field a place where he would spend time with childhood friends to watch football games, “stay out of trouble” and even have his high school graduation ceremony.
“Memorial field is a landmark,” Jones said. “It was a safe haven for everyone in the area to relax and unwind and let your guard down.”
When Memorial Field closed down, Jones felt like it was a “big loss” to the community and created a disconnect between residents of Mount Vernon as they no longer had a singular place to commune.
“Memorial Field was an eyesore,” Jones said. “When you get off the parkway the first thing you see is Memorial Field. I didn’t want everybody to look at Memorial Field and think Mount Vernon was that way and it’s not.”
In efforts to make a difference and change the direction of the city, on July 15, 2020, Mount Vernon in collaboration with the County of Westchester, determined that The LandTek Group, Inc., submitted the low bid in the amount of $24,883,600 million to begin construction of Memorial Field, according to an official press release by Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.
Two years later and day by day, the field is one step closer to completion. Jones believes that Mayor Patterson-Howard worked hard to “get the ball rolling” to make real progress on Memorial Field.
The renovated Memorial Field will feature an NCAA regulation football field, an eight-lane track, tennis courts, locker rooms, a skateboard park, and seating for up to 3,900 people.
Additionally, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the limitation of social gatherings and in-person events, the reopening of Memorial Field will also allow Mount Vernon residents to get back outside again and reconnect with one another.
Nelda Bianca Bazil, 64, Founder and President of We Run Mount Vernon, believes that the reopening of Memorial Field will encourage residents of Mount Vernon to take ownership of their physical health and fitness.
“For our survival, we must, absolutely must, have movement,” Bazil said. “And that’s what Memorial Field will bring back to our community, an opportunity for us to be able to move.”
We Run Mount Vernon consists of a group of individuals whose goal is to get the community healthier by “encouraging movement as part of a daily routine” according to the We Run Mount Vernon website.
Members of We Run Mount Vernon participate in weekly walks, runs, and hikes and conduct a one-hour fitness program for children. They also host an annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5k run/walk and are currently planning for their 2022 trot.
“We want our children to know that physical activities should become part of your daily routine,” Bazil said. “We’re trying to shift the mindset for our kids…the next generation of Mount Vernon citizens should have fitness as part of a regularly scheduled thing that they do and then they can pass that baton to their children.”
Physical inactivity is more common among racial and ethnic minorities in most states according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Given that Mount Vernon consists of 62.7% of Black or African American people, and 17.4% of Latinx people according to the United States Census Bureau, Brazil believes that physical activity is a key component in reducing health disparities among these populations.
“We want folks to know that the citizens in the City of Mount Vernon like any other city are concerned about health and our mission is that we are able to shift the paradigm in the next generation of our children,” Brazil said.
Young Mount Vernon residents like Timothy Crump, 22, who also grew up here, believe that the completion of the field is a stepping stone to a greater Mount Vernon not only aesthetically, but also in regard to leadership.
“There’s so many things that one person can do but in order to change a community, it takes a community,” Crump said. “It’s all a matter of how everyone gets together after Memorial Field is built. Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Echoing this same sentiment, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard is optimistic about the completion of Memorial Field and the various programming surrounding arts, culture, and fitness that residents can part take in. She is also excited for the long-term economic growth that the reopened field will provide for the city.
Patterson-Howard wants to ensure there is a “balance” of free and paid programming along with contracts, advertising, and special events that would allow for “long-term maintenance and operations of the Memorial Field venue.”
Patterson-Howard also gives thanks to those within City Hall and Westchester County Executive George Latimer and his team for their continued support and “team effort.”
“A project like Memorial Field has to be run like a relay race, not a hundred-yard dash,” Patterson-Howard said. Despite the “hurdles,” she asserts, “we had to find solutions to challenges,” in order to move forward as a community and complete this project. She also stated that once the field is finished, it will be managed and maintained by the city of Mount Vernon. Additionally, there will be an opening ceremony with a ribbon cutting to signify the start of a new chapter for Memorial Field.
Filled with anticipation to take his grandchildren down to the “modernized” Memorial Field, Jones is looking forward to introducing them to the place where he spent countless hours as a young man. He also hopes to “stretch [his] bones” and encourage other seniors to exercise.
“We’re getting it back like it used to be,” Jones said. “Memorial field is on the move, it looks good from what I see on the outside and we’ve got better days ahead of us.”
NYS Gubernatorial Candidate Jumaane Williams Interview
Black Westchester presents Super Tuesdays With AJ Woodson and Damon K Jones
Our guest this week is NYS Gubernatorial Candidate Jumaane Williams
Keith Allen, Port Chester’s First African American Asst. Principal Understands The Assignment
This past fall the first African American Assistant Principal took office at Port Chester High School, in Port Chester, NY. According to the census.gov website, Port Chester in 2019 had an African American population of 4.1 %. Since then that population has decreased by almost 1 %. Today, Port Chester High School’s African American population falls at about 6.3%. With all the recent talk of equity, diversity and inclusion, Keith Allen’s role as ‘first’ is largely significant. Not only does he serve as the first black administrator at the high school itself, but also in the Port Chester school district. “I’m laying the foundation for things that may come after me. We all bring different perspectives and I’m okay with representing our black and brown kids”, says Allen.
Almost a full year into the current school year, Allen sat down with me in the beginning of the term to acknowledge his transition into the new school year and admitted that it had its challenges, given the circumstances of the pandemic. “I realize that there are gaps in terms of socialization because of the pandemic. Everyone is transitioning back into the system of school”. But Allen was sure to get to work quickly, roaming the hallways getting to know the students inside and out of their classrooms. He understands the importance of identifying the needs of the kids to effectively serve them as Assistant Principle. He also understands the importance of providing students with the opportunity for representation and teaching them the value of their history.
Allen has had his fair share of ‘first’. He was the only black teacher in Brewster Central District for 13 years, until he became the Assistant Principal there. While he served his 13 years as a teacher, he had an aid, a black woman, who he encouraged to go to school to get her degree so she could teach her own classroom full-time. Eventually, she acquired her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and became the second black teacher in the district. Her daughter followed her footsteps and then became the third. “The gift I’m giving, I’ve got to support our people, all people”.
Allen allocates a lot of his energy into creating a safe space for the kids and knows that it is vital to establish trust and understanding, acknowledging the various life circumstances each of the kids have. He also emphasizes the importance of exposure to diverse backgrounds and environments. “In order for kids to leave their comfort zone, you create trust first. Once they make that decision to go outside of their comfort zone, let them know that you support their interest…you’ve got to get them to think beyond what they know”.
Allen is currently working on diversifying existing programs and expanding some of the after-school clubs like, the African American Club, by working closely with Ingraham Taylor, a long-time resident of Rye and board member of the Education Committee, and Committee Chair of the NAACP ACT-SO Coalition (Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) of Westchester. “Mr. Allen is an individual who is committed to empower and support the students to strive for success, and that’s all you can ever hope for”, says Taylor.
When we last spoke, Allen had plans to bring in professionals of color, to show students that they can in fact be who they want to be in life. This school year, Allen has not neglected to put action behind his word. Students like Isaiah Dempson, Senior and Student Body President, believe that Mr. Allen has already made a positive impact. During Black History Month Allen made daily announcements to give a synopsis on Historical Black figures, he also brought in guest speakers from different professions like finance to share their success stories with students. Dempson says, “We’ve never experienced a Black History Month like we did this year. In my previous years, the month of February felt like it went by quickly, but not this year. He really made it fun, and we learned so much! Mr. Allen hasn’t just been helpful with Black History Month but also Women’s History Month. He’s really trying to be there for all the students, and I think he’s doing a good job at it”.
Allen also believes in building community and feels that it is equally as important that the families of students feel integrated and a part of their child’s educational experience. “I want to connect the communities to the school, there is a lot of disconnect and I just want them to know that they are welcome here…their input is important”.
Allen hopes to see more equitable programing that celebrates the culture of all students in the next five years and says he will continue to work diligently to make that possible.
About The Author: Tatiana Pinheiro is a Character Education instructor for a global non-profit organization and freelance entertainment journalist for SOHH.com, a hip-hop news website. She enjoys writing poetry, critical essays, film, and photography. She hopes to continue to grow her skill set as a multimedia journalist, eventually focusing on issues like segregation, and public housing. She is currently working on a curated Instagram project, @nooomoreapologies which uses fashion, imagery, poetry, messaging, and juxtaposition to challenge stereotypes and the hood perception. ” I want people to understand that when you come from the hood or any sort of marginalized community, you can defy the odds and be so much more than your expected to be. There is power in owning who and where you are in life, especially if it doesn’t fit the standard and I have never fat the standard.”