As part of Lorraine Lopez’ series #YonkersStrong, and our new Modern Day Heroes Mondays, Black Westchester hosted a special edition of the Black Westchester Power Hour in conjunction with Latino Empowerment to celebrate four individuals from Yonkers who are doing great work in the city of Yonkers and surrounding areas to serve the community during the difficult pandemic we are facing.
AJ Woodson and Lorraine Lopez sat down with John Cabrera (914United), James Nolan of the Micheal Nolan Foundation, Deana Renee Robinson (Legislative Aide of Councilwoman Shanae Williams, who also volunteers and serves with 914United, YCAP, the YWCA food pantry, and SolidRock Christian Center), Jonathan Alverez (Director of 914United) to celebrate the efforts of the UnSung Modern Day Heroes in the City of Yonkers, Monday, May 11, 2020 to highlight the great work they are doing.
Yonkers, New York, my beautiful hometown of over 200,000 residents, a majestic city with a tapestry of cultures is along with many other cities in NYS suffering from this ungodly pandemic. It seems like everything changed overnight. It was quick. It came with a vengeance. Lockdowns, school closings, businesses closed, urgent need of healthcare resources are just a few of the areas affected. Yonkers quickly became the epicenter of Westchester County as more and more residents became sick and tested positive for Covid-19. We have 3,478 cases and it continues to rise. Covid-19 does not care about your background or what language you speak as it is widespread throughout the city. But it has hit the minority community particularly hard in Southwest Yonkers. The majority of cases have been from the Latino and African American communities. There are many reasons for this, it’s a high density area, lack of healthcare, a large immigrant community that are fearful and have a language barrier, and the fact that many are essential workers. They are part of a large group helping to keep the city running. Despite the fear and uncertainty around us, I proudly state that we are something beautiful. Early on Mayor Mike Spano held a online community meeting with Dr. Rabadi, his Health Advisory Board Chairman, a well known and cherished doctor to speak on the virus and advise us all on what we needed to do to keep ourselves and others from contracting it. Dr. Rabadi has subsequently also been on Black Westchester’s People before Politics radio show and other venues to educate folks on the virus. It began to hit us hard. Both our hospitals, St. John’s Riverside Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital were inundated with patients as the numbers began to rise. Many have lost loved ones. But, despite all the doom and gloom that comes with this insidious virus, Yonkers has stood strong. They say Yonkers is a big city with a small town feel. I couldn’t agree more. Mayor Spano despite suffering his own loss including his dear friend Detective Sullivan of the Yonkers Police Department (a great loss to many), has been working tirelessly in keeping the city together and all services available and has begun to hold regular community town hall meetings via the internet to keep us all updated on city services and the pandemic. Everyone has become a hero. From the first responders, to the essential workers, to those staying at home, practicing social distancing and doing the best they can to avoid catching or spreading the virus.
The children of the Yonkers Public Schools System are learning via the internet at home. Grab and Go breakfast and lunch sites are located in several areas throughout the city. Yonkers Schools Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada and his staff are also handing out 100 bags of food a week to those families in need. The children are hungry in many homes. They are collecting donations of rice, beans, and other non-perishables. If you’ll like to make a donation please contact Lissette Colon-Collins at Lcolon-collins@yonkerspublicschools.org. Dr. Quezada has also distributed over 1,000 laptaps to children and families in need. Many more are needed. The teachers are missing their students as they continue to work with their students via today’s technology. Many of the children are looking to their teachers for comfort. The teachers are delivering.
Our doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers have become superheroes. They’ve been hit hard. Working desperately to save lives and provide comfort as they put themselves in ground zero while risking their own lives.
Our Mayor has delivered lunches to the hospitals. The YPD, YFD, and OEM have also brought them food as well as cheered them on with a parade of trucks and vehicles as they stood outside clapping and thanking them. EMS has been seen all over town picking up patients and transporting them to hospitals.
Many have taken to social media as a way of socializing and keeping in touch while we pause. Mom’s posting the antics of their children while homeschooling. Folks share information on resources. DJ Lenny Santawasso and his lovely lady Lucia have kept us entertained with live videos, music and their funny antics. Governor Cuomo’s daily briefings have given us the raw truths as well as brought us great comfort. Folks are coming together to help one another. Small businesses although struggling have been donating and delivering food to healthcare workers and first responders. Our Southside which has been hit the hardest is filled with a cornucopia of essential workers. They are our postal workers, supermarket and bodega workers, truck drivers, delivery men and women, office workers, janitors and maintenance, and a host of different healthcare workers in all areas of the field. They put themselves out there everyday for the people of the city and to take care of their families. Then they go home in fear that one day they’ll bring it to their families. Neighbors are helping neighbors. The City of Yonkers Office of the Aging has been delivering thousands of meals to the local seniors and continues to provide them with the services they need.
Jimmy Nolan founder and President of the Michael Nolan Foundation has been out there volunteering his time and also partnering with others to bring food to hospitals not only in Yonkers but throughout Westchester including Mount Vernon and Westchester Medical Center. Brian Harrod of Yonkers Newswire has been taking time off of his blog to spend many hours coordinating a food pantry and delivering meals to families. Showing us that he actually does have a soft side! RuRos from Yonkers Voice on FB has been doing an excellent job enterviewing everyone of every aspect of this pandemic and is keeping folks informed as well. Deanna Renee Robinson as well her her #914 crew teamed up with Hector Santiago of Stop and Shake and has delivered countless meals and essentials as well. Condolences on the loss of her grandmother. Many volunteers are out there deliveries meals, masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Hundreds of face masks have been sown and donated by folks staying at home and wanting to help.
Churches and congregations are also reaching out to help those in need. Particularly with food pantries. Many organizations and local Latino leaders especially in the undocumented community have been reaching out, helping and educating the non English speaking community. They have not been forgotten. This is just an example of the what the people are doing. There are many stories of compassion in this city.
Our government continues to work. State Assemblyman Nader Sayegh was the first to call for a Covid-19 testing facility in Yonkers in a letter to Governor Cuomo dated on March 20th. He has also called for the suspension of parking meter enforcement during the Covid-19 epidemic.
The City Council and the City Council President have been handing out everything they can get there hands on to their constituents from meals to masks. They have passed legislation sponsored by Council President Mike Khader requiring the sanitation of building lobbies, laundry rooms, entrance doors, handles, trash rooms and common areas in multiple dwelling buildings as well as commercial office buildings and retail establishments. Councilwoman Diaz also Isponsored legislation requiring all parks and schools playgrounds to be sanitized. Council President Mike Khader also has proposed and sponsored legislation calling for the cancellation or reduction of penalties and late fees regarding county taxes. Councilwoman Shanae Williams who’s district has been the most impacted, introduced legislation calling for a testing facility in Yonkers. On Friday, April 17th Yonkers opened up a testing site in Councilwoman Williams district at St. John’s Riverside Parkcare Pavilion located at the corner of Ashburton and St. Joseph’s Avenues. The center will be open by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. First appointments and priority will be given the residents in the 10701 zip code area. On a press release issued by the City Council, Councilwoman Shanae Williams stated,
This mobile testing site is crucial for my constituency. I am both happy and grateful that Governor Cuomo and our State Delegation heard our call and placed a testing site in the 1st
Council District in Yonkers” said Councilwoman Williams. “I plead with my neighbors and constituents to get tested. Knowledge is power. You can protect yourselves and your families by getting tested. Before today, many residents were unable to get tested because they don’t have health insurance. With this mobile testing site testing is free for everyone. I strongly urge all my constituents to take full advantage of this testing site. Call the state health number for COVID19 and schedule an appointment now. The number is 888-364-3065. Remember, getting tested can save your life!” Councilwoman Tasha Diaz who’s 3 district does come in contact with the 1st district echoed her sentiments by staying , “With the soaring number of Coronavirus cases plaguing Yonkers
This testing site is needed to help combat the spread of Covid -19
I’m ecstatic to see our delegates both local and state put People Before Politics and band together to advocate for this well needed testing site in Yonkers.”.
Our Yonkers Police Department Commissioner Mueller has also been reaching out to the community via question and answering sessions and sharing information with the public. Both YPD and YFD have been out there non stop working hard while also being hit with cases amongst their departments.
Mayor Spano summarized it best in thanking our heroes for this article. “The work our health care professionals, first responders, teachers, and other essential workers do daily is demanding as it is. Now because of the current health pandemic, they have taken their performance to another level with their tremendous grit and determination,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “There are no words to describe the sheer gratitude I have for the work they are doing during this difficult time. They are heroes in the truest sense of the word.” The Mayor, holding the city together so we don’t collapse.
There’s so much more we will be dealing with. There will be more lives lost. The new normal is changing every day as we learn new information regarding this Coronovirus pandemic. But, Yonkers is resilient. We are #YonkersStrong, we will get through this together. We will continue do our part by staying home, practicing social distancing, sanitizing, and helping each other out during these difficult times. Condolences go out to all who lost a loved one.
So I say this, Yonkers has risen and how fitting during these holy days. And we will continue to rise, we will do our best to adapt to the changes in our lives, and we will beat this monster.
And tonight, at the Mayor’s request, I like many of the amazing residents of the City of Yonkers will stand outside my balcony at 7:00 p.m. and clap for the first responders and all the essential workers, as I listen to the sweet song of the bells ringing from our new firehouse in our downtown. This is Yonkers. This is my hometown. And I couldn’t feel more proud of it.
Yonkers Councilwoman Diaz, Council President Khader & Councilwoman Williams ask Governor Cuomo to Secure Benefits for all Government Employees who fall ill and pass due to COVID-19
On Monday, Yonkers City Councilwoman Tasha Diaz (District 3), Council President Mike Khader, and Councilwoman Shanae Williams (District 1) have sent a letter to Governor Cuomo asking that he secure benefits for government employees who may fall ill or pass from COVID-19.
In the letter (see below) Governor Cuomo is being asked to take all necessary steps to provide death and disability benefits to public workers who were exposed to and passed from the Coronavirus during the course of their work. This is not limited to first responders.
“This is the first step in protecting our first responders and essential workers,” said Councilwoman Tasha Diaz. “They put themselves on the front lines every day.”
“Our first responders and essential workers who continue to work and put their lives on the line deserve to know that they and their families will be taken care of should the worst occur,” said City Council President Mike Khader. “I urge Governor Cuomo to heed our call to secure benefits for our essential workers and hope that this small step shows how grateful we are for their selflessness.”
“As the coronavirus continues to spread, we must think about how to prepare for the worst,” said Councilwoman Shanae Williams. “Every day, first responders and essential workers are at risk of getting infected and should they pass away as a result, their loved ones should not be burdened with medical bills or funeral expenses. They are our heroes, and we have to take care of them as best we can.”
Black Westchester broke the story of legendary R&B singer Jeff Redd being allegedly racially profiled by members of the Mount Vernon Police Department while sitting in his car across the street from his home on Thursday, January 30th. The Grammy, American Music, Soul Train, and Billboard Award winner stopped by our radio show, The Black Westchester Power Hour, on WVOX 1460 AM on Monday, February 3rd, to discuss the incident in this exclusive interview.
US Prosecutor and MSNBC Legal Analyst and Westchester County Attorney District Candidate Mimi Rocah stopped by the People Before Politics Radio Show on Sunday, January 26, 2020, to talk about why she is the candidate you should vote for Westchester DA
Mondaire Jones is a Democratic candidate running to represent New York’s 17th congressional district, which includes Rockland and northern Westchester Counties. He was stopped by the People Before Politics Radio Show on Sunday, December 22, 2019, to discuss why he feels he is the candidate you should vote for in the June 2020 Democratic Primary to succeed Congresswoman Nita Lowey.
My mother always told me and my sister before she passed that she wanted us to give her flowers while she was still alive. Most of the time we celebrate people we love after they have passed. Black Westchester wanted to honor one of Mount Vernon’s oldest living residents while she was still with us.
On Thursday, November 14, 2019, Lillian C. Jones turned 100 years old. We are so blessed to have her still with us.
Lillian is a lifelong resident of Mount Vernon attending Mount Vernon schools and graduating from A.B. Davis High School.
On Thursday night friends and family members gathered at Lillian’s grandson’s establishment, The Spot located at 168 Gramatan Avenue to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Lillian retired from the Board of Elections in White Plains, NY as a Supervising Clerk after 34 years. She is a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church and was a member of the Gospel Chorus and the Westchester Gospel Chorus Guild. She is also a longtime member of the NAACP.
Lillian is the daughter of the late Irving and Clara Higgins; her mother was a Gold Star Mother. She had three brothers; Irving Higgins, Jr. who was killed in World War II, Henry Higgins a World War II Veteran and Clarence Higgins. She was married to the late Clarence Jones who was also a World War II Veteran.
Lillian is a life member of the Aaron A. Lewis Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary to Post #6396 for over 60 years. She is still an active member currently serving as Conductress for over 25 years. In the auxiliary, she served as secretary for 8 years, and after going through the chairs she served as President for 2 years.
She served as a Color Bearer in the Westchester County Auxiliary & District #2 Auxiliary. She is a life member of the V.F.W. National Home. Her favorite saying in the auxiliary is “Anything for the Good of the Order”.
“NANA” as she is most commonly known as five generations in her family, one daughter Sylvia; two grandchildren Dwayne & Katrina; four great-grandchildren, Donte’, Dwayne Jr., Briana & DeAndre; two great-great-grandchildren, Camryn & Elijah.
Black Westchester proudly celebrates one of Mount Vernon’s oldest living residents, Lillian C. Jones, her years of service and celebrating her 100th birthday. Happy Birthday!
On Saturday, September 14, 2019, the city of Mount Vernon witnessed a true celebration of Hip-Hop when DMX and Nice & Smooth hit the stage during CityFest, bringing together generations of the culture on one stage. It wasn’t just another concert—it was a moment where legends connected directly with the people, reminding everyone why Hip-Hop remains rooted in community, energy, and authenticity. Mount Vernon’s City Fest is a free, day-long celebration of community, culture, and arts hosted by the City’s Recreation Department. The festival featured food, vendors, activities for all ages, and live musical performances, most notably a special headline concert by the late rap icon DMX, and the Hip-Hop Junkies, Nice & Smooth.
DMX brought the raw intensity and spiritual passion that made him one of the most electrifying performers in rap history, while Greg Nice and Smooth B delivered the charisma, humor, and classic routines that helped define hip-hop’s golden era. For Mount Vernon, a city with deep hip-hop ties of its own, the event felt bigger than entertainment—it felt like the culture coming home.
DMX
DMX took the stage shortly after 8 pm, Saturday, September 14th, at Mount Vernon’s annual City Fest event. As he started to perform, the sky opened up, but that didn’t stop the dog from doing his thing.
NICE & SMOOTH
After DMX performed and was given a proclamation from the City of Mount Vernon by Mayor André Wallace, the Hip-Hop junkies took the stage, yes, Nice & Smooth. Greg “Greg Nice” Mays and Daryl “Smooth B” Barnes, with deejay Tedd “DJ Teddy Tedd” Whiting of the Awesone Two on the wheels, did not disappoint. Greg Nice jumped in the crowd and performed the rest of the show there to the delight of the fans, many taking selfies of themselves with the legendary, energetic emcee.
Other performers included R & B/ Hip Hop: Sophisticated Gents, Norm Adam, Ismilez, Julia Robert, Nyasia Chenil, DRR, The Choice, Aly-US, Gospel Performances: Dr. Kenneth Hamilton and Jenkins Brothers (Main Stage), Reggae Performances: Serani & Friends (Main Stage), a few local artists, and Hip Hop/R&B performances from Intro and Ruff Endz. DMX and Nice & Smooth headlined the event!
The all-day event transformed the downtown area, taking place along Gramatan Avenue and Hartley Park, with activities kicking off in Hartley Park at 9:00 AM and the main festival running from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM. It aimed to showcase the diverse, vibrant heart of Mount Vernon through local talent and community unity. City of Mount Vernon, NY – Recreation Department offers an array of programs and services for all residents, from children to senior citizens.
This month we like to spotlight a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Don Powell of DP Printing & Graphic and Send-A-Tee.com or New Rochelle.
For more than 20 years, Don Powell’s firm has been delivering on their promise to provide unique designs that are both visually dynamic and environmentally friendly. They pride themselves on never delivering anything less than perfection to their clients.
Dp Printing’s designers bring passion and enthusiasm to every project. From original designs to complete renovations, they have you covered. If you can imagine it, they can create it for you.
Black Westchester has utilized Dp Printing for several promotional t-shirts, and I have worked with Don Powell and Dp Printing personally in many different endeavors and projects I have worked on in the past two decades and have never been disappointed Dp is also the largest private mailbox rentals in Westchester County.
Checkout our 914 Business Spotlight interview with Don (video below).
OFFSET • DIGITAL • T-SHIRTS • SUBLIMATION Business Stationary, Flyers & Posters, Banners & Signs, Sublimation Printing, Web Sites & Much More!
Robert F. Smith is the richest Black man in America, but until a few years ago he was relatively unknown by most Black people
I recently asked a group of kids who Robert Smith was and they had no clue. Odds are you’ve probably never heard of him either. For those who are not familiar with him, here’s a brief overview:
He grew up in Denver, is 55 years old, and is worth 4.4 billion dollars (more than Oprah). He gave $20,000,000 to the African American National Museum, is helping pretrial detainees that can’t afford bail, he gave $2,500,000 to prostate cancer research for African American men, his charity has committed $50,000,000 to improve the representation of women and people of color in scientific research at Cornell University and he is the first black American to sign the giving pledge, vowing to give away half of his net worth in his lifetime to causes focused on helping African Americans and women.
He did not get rich by way of sports or entertainment. He amassed his fortune from being the CEO of a private equity fund.
I feel like Big Meech, Larry Hoover…” – B.M.F (Blowing Money Fast) by Rick Ross
Movies were made about notorious drug dealers like Alpo and Rich Porter, Songs were made about wanting to be Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory of the Black Mafia Family (BMF) and Larry Hoover, the former leader of the Black Disciples Nation. But neither was made about the richest black person in American history (who’s still alive). He’s pretty much unknown. He’s been invisible in plain sight for 20 years. Pretty disturbing if you think about it.
We immortalize people who made a million dollars on the streets, that’s either dead or doing 100 years in jail but are clueless about someone who made billions in the corporate world and is still living. That’s not by accident though, the latter is way more dangerous to the status quo than the former. It’s not a mystery why one is promoted over the other, but he’s on the cover of this year’s Forbes’s annual billionaire edition; so obviously he’s not in hiding. So, we have to ask, who’s fault is it really that he’s not championed by the culture…
