Welcome to another edition of SportsTalk With AJ ROK. After Sunday night’s conclusion of the regular season, the 2026 NBA Playoffs are officially set. One thing is certain, though: this playoffs is expected to be wide open, unpredictable, and packed with storylines.
Eastern Conference Storylines
The top four teams were locked into their seeds entering the regular-season finale, but they’re walking into a conference that’s anything but easy: The Detroit Pistons (59-22) shocked the league with the top record, and the number two-seeded Boston Celtics (55-26) remain battle-tested and dangerous. The New York Knicks (53-28) come in as the No. 3 seed, continuing their rise as a legitimate force in the East, and the Cleveland Cavaliers (51-30) are right there in the mix. Translation: There are no easy paths to the Finals!
The remaining teams in the East battled it out for positioning. The Atlanta Hawks (46-35) entered Sunday’s game at Miami at No. 5, but with a loss and an Orlando loss plus a Toronto win, they finished 6 and will face the NY Knicks (53-29) in the first round. The Toronto Raptors (46-36) entered Sunday’s game vs. Brooklyn at No. 6, but with wins and losses by Atlanta and Orlando, they finished 5th and will face the Cavs in the first round!
While the 7th-seeded Philadelphia (45-37), 8th-seed Orlando Magic (45-37), 9th-seed Charlotte Hornets (44-38), and 10th-seed Miami Heat (43-39) will compete for the final two playoff spots in the East. The winner of the 7-8 game in the East will play the 2-seed Boston Celtics. The winner of the final play-in game in each conference will face the 1-seed Detroit Pistons.
Western Conference Storylines
Out West, it’s a different kind of pressure: The Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18) dominated all season, the San Antonio Spurs (62-20) are right behind them finishing the 2nd seed, teams like the 3rd-seeded Denver Nuggets (54-28) and Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) bring experience and star power, finishing in the 4th seed. The West is stacked—and every round will feel like a Finals matchup!
While the 7th-seeded Phoenix Suns (45-37), 8th-seed Portland Trail Blazers (42-40), 9th-seed L.A. Clippers (42-40), and 10th-seed Golden State Warriors (37-45) will compete for the final two playoff spots in the East. The winner of the 7-8 game in the East will play the 2-seed San Antonio Spurs. The winner of the final play-in game in each conference will face the 1-seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Play-In Tournament (Seeds 7–10)
Everything to know about the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
Teams placed seventh through tenth in each conference compete for the final two playoff slots prior to the official start of the playoffs. The dates of the 2026 NBA SoFi Play-In Tournament are April 14–17, 2026. However, a postseason berth is assured for the clubs who place first through sixth in each conference. Teams ranked seventh through tenth compete in these six games, which determine the final No. 7 and No. 8 postseason seeding in each conference. This tournament’s games are all available only on Amazon Prime Video.
7-10 in the standings will enter the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament. These teams will battle for the seventh and eighth playoff seeds.
Here is an overview of how it works:
Below is the latest SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule. All games will be broadcast exclusively on Prime Video.
Tuesday, April 14
East: CHA (9) vs. MIA (10), 7:30 p.m. ET- West: PHX (7) vs. (8) LAC/POR, 10 p.m. ET. Winners advance to Playoffs as No. 7 seeds
Wednesday, April 15
East: PHI (7) vs. ORL (8), 7:30 p.m. ET – West: LAC/POR (9) vs. GSW (10), 10 p.m. ET. Losers are eliminated
Friday, April 17
East: 7/8 loser vs. 9/10 winner, 7:30 p.m. ET – West: 7/8 loser vs. 9/10 winner, 10 p.m. ET Winners advance to Playoffs as No. 8 seeds
The 2026 NBA Playoffs are scheduled to begin immediately following the tournament on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
At the end of the day, the regular season is just the résumé—the playoffs are the interview. Every possession matters, every adjustment counts, and every weakness gets exposed under the brightest lights. This is where talk ends, and truth begins. The stars will be tested, the role players will be called on, and only the teams built with toughness, discipline, and belief will survive. Because in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, it’s simple—win, or you go home!
In this powerful episode of People Before Politics: Sunday Rundown, we break down the week’s top local headlines impacting Westchester and beyond, then in the second half, author and youth advocate Booker Geez joins us for an eye-opening conversation on the hidden realities inside America’s juvenile detention system. As the author of Locked Up and Put Away, Booker Geez brings firsthand insight from his 10 years working as a juvenile counselor inside New York detention facilities. He reveals the systemic failures, trauma, corruption, and long-term damage affecting young people trapped in a broken juvenile justice pipeline. This is more than an interview. It is a conversation about truth, accountability, and what happens to children once society locks them away and stops paying attention.
Topics include:
The realities inside juvenile detention centers
The school-to-prison pipeline
How Black and Latino youth are disproportionately affected
Reform failures and what must change now
This week’s major local political and community news
Watch, comment, and subscribe to Black Westchester for independent journalism that puts people before politics.
Join Damon K. Jones, AJ Woodson, and Larnez Kinsey as they bring you not just news, but context, accountability, and community-centered analysis you can’t get anywhere else.
LIVE from 6 PM to 8 PM on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X, powered by Black Westchester Magazine.
U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel, who served in Lower Hudson Valley/Bronx politics for 30 years, has died.
Eliot Engel, the former New York congressman from the Bronx, died Friday, April 10th, his family said in a statement. He was 79. The Democrat represented parts of Westchester County and the north Bronx in the House of Representatives for over 30 years from 1989 to 2021. Engel’s family said he died peacefully and surrounded by family “in the borough that raised him: The Bronx.”
“It is with great grief and sadness that our family announces the death of the Honorable Eliot Lance Engel, former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman for New York’s 16th, 17th, and 19th districts, and Assemblyman for New York’s 81st district,” the Engel family said in a statement. “Eliot passed on April 10th, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by family and loved ones in the borough that raised him: The Bronx.”
He was perhaps best known for his leadership as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he played a major role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, including involvement in the Balkans conflict and international human rights efforts. Engel also helped craft the Harkin-Engel Protocol, aimed at combating child labor in West Africa’s cocoa industry.
A former teacher and state Assembly member, Engel rose through the ranks of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, eventually becoming its chair in 2019. He was a strong supporter of Israel and one of the first lawmakers to call for military intervention on behalf of Kosovo, then a province where ethnic Albanians were seeking independence from Serbia, in their war in the 1990s. A U.S.- and U.K.-led NATO bombing campaign opened the way for Kosovo’s eventual independence nine years later.
According to reports, Engel died from complications related to Parkinson’s disease, surrounded by family in the Bronx—the borough where he was born and raised. Political leaders across New York and the nation have begun honoring his legacy, remembering him as a dedicated public servant, global diplomat, and fierce advocate for his constituents.
Eliot Engel’s impact stretched from local neighborhoods in Westchester and the Bronx to the global stage. Whether advocating for his district or influencing international policy, his career reflected decades of commitment to public service.
He leaves behind a legacy defined by experience, influence, and a lifetime of political service.
Westchester & The Bronx Mourn the Loss of Congressman Eliot Engel at 79
“I am saddened by the loss of Congressman Eliot Engel, a dedicated public servant who spent decades representing Westchester and the Bronx. I had the opportunity to work alongside Eliot for many years, and I came to know him as a steady, experienced leader who remained focused on delivering for the people he served, both at home and on the national stage. His impact will be felt for years to come, and his legacy of service will be remembered across our region, state, and nation. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
“It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Congressman Eliot Engel. Congressman Engel was a personal friend and mentor, a lifelong, dedicated public servant who led with an unwavering commitment to his constituents and community. For many years, Congressman Engel represented Westchester, Rockland, and the Bronx with courage, leadership, and compassion. We are particularly indebted to him for his leadership as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Pat, his family, friends, and all who had the honor of working alongside him. Our community is stronger because of his leadership, and we will continue to honor the lasting impact of his work. May his memory be a blessing,” State Senator Shelley Mayer
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins issued a statement Friday afternoon via the county’s website.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Congressman Eliot Engel, a tireless public servant who devoted more than three decades to representing the people of New York. Throughout his career, Congressman Engel was a fierce advocate for his constituents in Westchester and the Bronx. He was a champion of human rights, and as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he helped shape U.S. policy on the global stage while never losing sight of the needs of the communities he represented at home. His legacy is one of commitment, conviction, and service. He understood that public office is a responsibility to speak up, to stand firm, and to deliver for the people who entrusted him with their voice. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him. His impact will be felt for generations,” County Executive Ken Jenkins
Congressman George Latimer, who now represents Engel’s former 16th district of New York, issued a statement Friday afternoon on Engel’s “lifetime” devotion to public service, as both a teacher and an elected official in Albany and Washington.
“His legacy consists of hard work on issues and kindness to all. His work in helping bring peace to the Balkans in the 1990s was a major accomplishment, among many others,” Latimer said. “We mourn with his family, and extend to them our deepest condolences. We intend to honor Eliot on the floor of the House. May he rest in peace.”
County Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuel says goodbye to his former boss, eternal friend, and mentor,
To the world, he was a dedicated public servant and a champion for New York, but to me, he was a steady source of wisdom and encouragement. I am forever grateful for the years I spent learning under his leadership—he didn’t just teach me the mechanics of the work, he showed me what it meant to lead with integrity and heart. Thank you, Eliot, for opening doors, for your example, and for a friendship that meant more than words can say. Your legacy lives on in the lives you touched and the communities you served so well. You will be deeply missed. Rest easy, my friend, job well done
“I join the many across Westchester, the Bronx, and beyond in mourning the passing of former Congressman Eliot Engel. He was truly a giant in public service — a steady, respected presence who served with distinction in Congress and served his district with deep commitment, seriousness, and care. For decades, he helped give voice to the needs, hopes, and concerns of the people he represented, and he did so with a sense of duty that leaves a lasting mark. His legacy is one of service, leadership, and enduring dedication to his constituents. May he rest in peace, and may his family, loved ones, and all who knew and respected him find comfort in the tremendous impact of his life and work,” Legislator Jewel Williams-Johnson
The Bronx Dems mourn the loss of Congressman Eliot L. Engel,
“I met Congressman Eliot Engel nine years ago. He didn’t really know me, but I was running for Village Trustee, and I was honestly shocked by how supportive and present he was throughout our campaign. He showed up at multiple events, gave a donation, recorded a phone message that went out the night before the election, and at the end, he even came out to celebrate with us (pictured). He seemed genuinely happy to see newcomers trying to get started in public service. I’m not sure he ever realized what it might mean to a small-town local candidate to get that kind of support from such an important figure. I didn’t know him well, but I appreciated the interactions we had. When he talked about politics, he wasn’t petty or vengeful or gossip-y. He described elected office as “a noble profession,” done in service to the greater good. I think that’s the way politics should be. Thank you for your service, Congressman. May you rest in peace…” Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said in a Facebook post Friday he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Engel’s death, noting that he had worked closely with the congressman on issues close to home. “From protecting the Hudson River to addressing local concerns, I was proud to stand with him in his continued service. My thoughts are with his family and all that knew and admired him….”
“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of former Congressman Eliot Engel, a dedicated public servant who spent decades advocating for New York. His commitment to public service and his deep connection to the people he represented left a lasting impact on New Rochelle and beyond. I had the honor of working alongside leaders who were shaped by his legacy, and his influence will not be forgotten. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his life and service,” New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert
“We honor the enduring legacy of former Congressman Eliot Engel, a selfless public servant and friend of HDW, who championed the causes of our community and inspired a staff that reflected the values of his constituents. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” Hispanic Democrats of Westchester
“Honoring the life and legacy of Eliot Engel, whose years of service shaped so many communities, including my own journey. I will never forget him administering my oath of office in 2018. Grateful for his leadership and the example he set for all of us in public service. May his memory be a blessing,” Yonkers Councilwoman Corazon Pineda Isaac.
“Congressman Eliot Engel is a leader who has always fought and battled for the people he represents and the issues that matter most. The Congressman has always stood hand-in-hand with organized labor, including the Teamsters, and the time is NOW that we stand hand-in-hand with him. Please vote between today and June 23, or vote on June 23, for our friend, a fearless leader, and an even better person, Congressman Eliot Engel,” Teamster 456 President Louis A Picani said in a statement
MEMORIAL DETAILS FROM THE FAMILY OF CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL
We are eternally grateful for the outpouring of support from loved ones, colleagues, friends, and supporters of our beloved Eliot. The Engel family will sit shiva at the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale. Friends and loved ones are encouraged to attend. Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, Jacob Reingold Pavilion, 5901 Palisade Ave, Bronx, NY 10471
Sunday, April 12th from 3:00pm-7:00pm
Monday, April 13th from 2:00pm-7:00pm
Tuesday, April 14th from 2:00pm-7:00pm
A public memorial service will be announced shortly.
What generational beliefs about rest are doing to Black health — and what can change
A patient I’ll call Marie was in her mid-forties, raising a grandchild, and when I asked how she was sleeping she went quiet for a second, the kind of quiet that means the question surprised her. Then she told me her mother used to say sleep was for people who didn’t have anything to do. She said it the way people quote something they grew up hearing, like they’re not sure anymore whether they believe it or just absorbed it. We shared a small laugh, the kind that shows up when something is both funny and true.
I’ve heard this laugh more times than I can count.
In a lot of Black households rest came with conditions. Somebody worked the double, somebody watched the kids, and if you were still in bed when the sun came up you were lazy. Sleep was what you grabbed on the couch with the TV on. Those conditions made sense for the lives people were living, and in some cases they were survival. The problem is that the rules outlasted the circumstances. They got passed forward into how we talk to our children about effort, into the small pride we take in running on empty, into the half-conscious sense that being exhausted means you’re doing something right. Over time exhaustion can become a quiet measure of worth, and that’s when it stops being something a person thinks to report to a doctor.
“Exhaustion can become a quiet measure of worth, even after the conditions that created it have changed.”
Roughly four in ten Black adults in this country report sleeping fewer than seven hours a night, according to national survey data, and research has consistently linked that shortened sleep with higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression, conditions already concentrated in Black families at higher rates than anywhere else.
Shift work, noisier streets, and less stable housing are real, and they belong in any honest account of the disparity. They’re downstream from redlining and wage suppression and decades of disinvestment, and nobody chose them. What has received less attention, though that is changing, is what happens after those conditions get inside a person and start to feel like normal.
Researchers have begun asking not just how much Black adults sleep but what they think about sleep, and the findings describe something most readers will recognize without being told. Qualitative studies of urban African American adults document a cycle of work stress, money stress, caregiving, racing thoughts at night, late-night TV, phones kept close, and naps used to survive the week rather than recover from it. The participants understood sleep mattered for their health. Many of them had also absorbed their fatigue as just the price of a responsible life, which made it invisible as something worth raising with a doctor.
Other research found that Black adults were more likely than White adults to minimize sleep problems or assume nothing could be done about them, and those beliefs tracked directly with shorter sleep, more insomnia, and worse health outcomes in analyses that attempt to account for structural conditions, which suggests the inherited script is doing something to the body that sits alongside everything else.
Sleep apnea, insomnia, and related disorders show up more frequently in Black communities and tend to present more severely, yet the diagnosis rarely comes. Data from the Jackson Heart Study found that among African Americans with moderate to severe sleep apnea, about five percent had ever received a physician diagnosis.
People come in describing years of loud snoring, gasping awake, needing three cups of coffee before noon, nodding off at red lights, and they’ve long since filed it under the cost of a full life. Medical visits stay focused on blood pressure and blood sugar, sleep never gets asked about, and part of the reason is that the patient walking in has already decided tiredness isn’t really a medical issue. It’s just what carrying a lot feels like.
When the script starts to shift
When I see that belief start to move in a patient it usually begins with recognition before anything else. They start hearing their own language differently, noticing when they’re describing exhaustion like a credential, or talking about their teenager’s late bedtime with the same disapproval their grandmother had about sleeping past sunrise.
Naming where the belief came from tends to move people more than explaining what it costs. Sleep research supports this pattern: shifting unhelpful beliefs about sleep improves outcomes sometimes before anything else changes, and the frame that tends to reach people in this community has less to do with hustle or productivity and more to do with time, with staying present long enough to be there for the people they’re doing all of it for.
The structural conditions that broke sleep for generations won’t be fixed by a bedtime routine, and it’s worth saying that plainly. What follows is what individuals can work with in the meantime, while those larger fights continue.
In people living under chronic stress, years of short sleep and hypervigilance leave a nervous system that reads quiet as unfamiliar rather than safe, and that pattern doesn’t dissolve quickly once external conditions improve. What tends to help is consistency offered over time, the same signals sent repeatedly until the body starts to trust them. A regular wake time held even on weekends, because the internal clock responds to predictability more reliably than to any particular bedtime. Reduced light in the hour before sleep, because the brain interprets screen light as daytime and keeps alert systems running that would otherwise be winding down. Some reduction in ambient sound through white noise or earplugs, which lowers the low-level environmental monitoring the brain keeps doing when it’s learned to stay on guard. These work because they are sending the nervous system a signal it has rarely received, that the environment is stable enough to release into.
Sleep symptoms are worth naming out loud at a medical appointment, specifically and directly. Snoring that wakes someone else in the room, gasping in the night, waking without having rested, falling asleep somewhere other than a bed are all worth raising because the question often won’t come from the other side of the desk. Providers should be asking, and if yours hasn’t asked, it’s fair to bring it yourself. Given what the research shows about how rarely Black patients get screened for sleep disorders, the conversation has to start somewhere.
What gets handed down
The generation being raised right now is where the inheritance has the most room to go differently. Adults in these studies, once they understood what chronic sleep loss costs over a lifetime, said what they most wanted was to hand their kids something other than the same script.
Praising a child for a good night’s sleep the way they’d praise a good grade. Finding one morning where a teenager gets to wake without an alarm. Keeping the bedroom for sleep instead of running it as a second living room. These are small enough to happen, and that matters more than the size of any single change.
Marie’s mother was getting her ready for a world that would ask everything of her, and that preparation was honest given what she knew and what she’d seen. A body of research now exists that can put specific numbers on what that preparation costs, and a generation has enough distance from the original conditions to decide what travels forward next.
Derek H. Suite, M.D.
Dr. Derek H. Suite is a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist. He is an alumnus of the Columbia School of Journalism and a former professor of psychopharmacology at Columbia University. Dr. Suite is the founder of Full Circle Health, the host of the daily SuiteSpot podcast, and a frequent guest health contributor for Black Westchester Magazine.
This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute individual medical advice.
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced Thursday, April 9th, the arrest of a married couple and owners of Mangoville Meat & Grocery—a Mount Vernon Caribbean Restaurant known for its Jamaican Cuisine—on tax-related charges.
Estrado Willis—known as OK Freddy—and Eleanor Willis, 45 and 46 years old respectively, were arraigned on March 27 on charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree, Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, all felonies. The defendants, owners of Mangoville Meat & Grocery store in Mount Vernon, appeared before Mount Vernon City Court Judge Nichelle Johnson and were released on their own recognizance.
The District Attorney’s office tells Black Westchester, “the charges stem from the defendant’s alleged failure to report personal income and their failure to remit sales tax funds to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance collected from sales at the Mangoville Meat & Grocery store from March, 2018 through April, 2025. These funds are said to total roughly $76,000.”
Eleanor Willis and Estrado Willis also allegedly received income from Mangoville, as well as other income sources, but knowingly failed to include all the income received on returns filed with New York State. Allegedly, with intent to defraud, the defendants filed personal income tax returns with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for tax years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
“This arrest sends a clear message: individuals who attempt to evade their tax obligations will be held accountable. Our office is committed to protecting the integrity of the financial system and ensuring fairness to all taxpayers,” DA Cacace shared with Black Westchester in a statement.
This is not Freddy’s first run-in with the law. Estrado Willis was previously involved in a high-profile criminal case tied directly to an incident at the restaurant. He was charged in a separate 2020 case regarding a physical altercation with an employee, though he was found not guilty in March 2021. Prosecutors had alleged he placed the employee in a chokehold.
In an earlier case, Willis’ business, OK Freddy’s Meat Market, located at 132 South Fourth Avenue, was fined for liquor violations, which led to then-Mayor Richard Thomas illegally shutting down the business without due process. Freddy eventually won the case and moved across the street to 133 South Fourth Avenue (Richard Thomas former campaign office when he was running for mayor in 2015) and rebranded his business Mangoville Meat & Grocery.
Mount Vernon Police raid Ok Freddy’s Meat Market and shut business down, Tuesday, May 17, 2016 [Black Westchester]
Then-Mayor Thomas claimed the business was a “clear and present danger” and a “nuisance” due to violations, including missing fire extinguishers, lack of carbon monoxide detectors, and illegal storage of liquor. The meat market was fined $6,000 by the New York State Liquor Authority for various violations following the actions by the Mayor.
This current investigation was conducted by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
This case is being prosecuted by Nicole Gamble, a Senior Tax Fraud Counsel in the Economic Crimes Bureau of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Hip-Hop community is mourning the loss of one of its foundational figures as Afrika Bambaataa passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Black Westchester has learned he died from complications of cancer early April 9th, just days away from his April 17th birthday, in Pennsylvania.
A pioneering DJ, cultural visionary, and founder of the Universal Zulu Nation, Bambaataa played a critical role in shaping Hip-Hop during its earliest days in the Bronx. Emerging from a time marked by gang violence and economic decline in the 1970s, he helped redirect that energy into music, art, and community-building—laying the groundwork for what would become a global culture.
Bambaataa—credited as ‘The Godfather of Hip-Hop—is widely credited with helping define the core principles of Hip-Hop—Peace, Unity, Love, and Having Fun—while using music as a tool to bring people together. Through Zulu Nation, he created a movement that extended beyond DJing and parties, encouraging knowledge, cultural awareness, and collective identity.
Musically, his influence was groundbreaking. His 1982 release Planet Rock fused Hip-Hop with electronic music, introducing a futuristic sound driven by synthesizers and the Roland TR-808 drum machine. The track not only expanded Hip-Hop’s sonic boundaries but also helped lay the foundation for electro, Miami bass, house, and techno—genres that would grow out of the blueprint he helped establish.
That sound would ripple across regions, influencing the development of Southern Hip-Hop and shaping the global evolution of dance and electronic music. Bambaataa’s willingness to experiment beyond traditional breakbeats helped position Hip-Hop as a limitless art form rather than a localized genre.
However, Bambaataa’s legacy has also been the subject of serious controversy in recent years, with allegations that sparked ongoing debate within the Hip-Hop community. His passing brings renewed attention to a complicated history—one that continues to challenge how the culture acknowledges both influence and accountability.
Still, his role in the formation and early direction of Hip-Hop remains historically significant. From block parties in the Bronx to stages around the world, Bambaataa helped transform a grassroots movement into a cultural force that now spans generations and continents.
Afrika Bambaataa’s death marks the end of a chapter in Hip-Hop history—but the sound, structure, and global reach he helped create will continue to shape the culture for years to come.
Black Westchester extends condolences to those impacted by his life, influence, and legacy.
There was always a difference between talking about change and funding it.
Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) operated on the side of results. While many organizations focused on awareness, ELOC focused on building pathways—real opportunities for teens to gain exposure, develop skills, and access environments that expanded how they saw themselves and their future.
That work required more than attention. It required investment.
Westchester SC Sustainability Night was not just another event on the calendar. It became a direct opportunity for the community to support a nonprofit that was actively delivering programs for young people. Every ticket sold was tied to a purpose—helping sustain initiatives that provided guidance, experience, and access to the next generation.
This was where community support became measurable.
ELOC’s mission centered on sustainability, not just in the environmental sense, but in how opportunity was built and maintained within the community. Programs for teens did not run on ideas alone. They required funding, structure, and consistent backing. Without that support, even the strongest mission would have fallen short.
The event brought that reality into focus.
Attendees were part of a night that promoted sustainability while supporting local initiatives already doing the work. A portion of every ticket went directly back to ELOC, ensuring that its programs continued to operate and expand. The evening also provided an opportunity to connect with ELOC members and recognize those who contributed to the effort on the ground.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of ELOC students, who were honored for their work in the community, particularly their commitment to environmental initiatives and leadership. Their recognition reflected the very outcome the organization was built to produce—young people actively contributing to and improving their communities.
The event took place on Wednesday, April 8th at Memorial Field, located at 431 Garden Avenue in Mount Vernon. Gates opened at 5:30 PM, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.
This was not about symbolic support. It was about sustaining something that produced real outcomes for young people.
If the goal was to see stronger communities, better prepared youth, and organizations that actually delivered results, then the responsibility was clear—support the work that was already making it happen.
For additional information, attendees contacted Bill Levy with any questions.
According to Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace, Officer Brandon Hunter-Carney was arrested on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, and charged with second-degree grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property—both class C felonies. Investigators allege that in January 2023, Hunter-Carney obtained a stolen check for $800,160, originally issued to an Alabama-based company. Just days earlier, he allegedly created a New York business with the exact same name—Electric Controls and Systems Inc.—listing himself as the sole incorporator.
Prosecutors say he then deposited the stolen check into a bank account tied to that newly formed company, effectively diverting the funds. Hunter-Carney was arraigned in Mount Vernon City Court and released without bail, as the charges are not bail-eligible under New York law. He is scheduled to return to court on May 13.
Officer Hunter-Carney has been employed by the Mount Vernon Police Department since July 5, 2024. After graduating from the Westchester County/Zone 3 Police Academy in December 2024, he was assigned to the Patrol Division as a patrol officer.
The charges that he was arrested for were as a result of alleged actions he took prior to becoming a Mount Vernon Police Officer. There is no allegation that Hunter-Carney was involved in any criminal activity since he has been a police officer. The Department did not know about this activity before his hiring in July 2024.
DA Cacace slammed the alleged scheme as a “brazen check-fraud” and a “serious breach of trust,” emphasizing that “no one is above the law.” The case remains under investigation.
The charges are serious. Officer Hunter-Carney has been suspended without pay. As a permanent civil service employee, any further disciplinary action will be handled in accordance with the procedures of the Mount Vernon Police Department and the City of Mount Vernon, the department said in a statement.
Hunter-Carney has no disciplinary history with the Department. The Mount Vernon Police Department says the hold all officers and employees to high professional standards. Conduct of this nature will not be tolerated. The Department remains committed to serving the residents and visitors of the City of Mount Vernon with professionalism and integrity.
The MVPD states they continue to review their policies, hiring background investigation practices, and Internal Affairs follow-up procedures for potential and current employees.
Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC), a Mount Vernon-based nonprofit known for empowering young people through academic and workforce development, has taken another meaningful step toward expanding educational opportunity. This spring, the organization launched a pilot SAT prep initiative designed to support students preparing for one of the most influential components of the college admissions process.
For years, ELOC has worked with high school students across a wide spectrum, from those uncertain about pursuing college to those committed to continuing their education after graduation. This new SAT prep program builds on that mission by offering targeted academic support to students seeking to strengthen their college applications.
A Strategic Partnership for Student Success
To bring the pilot to life, ELOC partnered with a local SAT preparation firm and selected three motivated students to participate. Two students were enrolled in ELOC’s SEA (Science, Engineering, and Arts) program, and one student came from the Advanced Computer Program.
Over the course of eight weeks, participants received focused instruction in math, reading, and writing, the core sections of the SAT. While many colleges have adopted test-optional policies, ELOC recognizes that standardized test scores still play a significant role in admissions at competitive institutions. By offering structured preparation, the organization ensures that students who choose to submit scores are equipped to do so with confidence.
Parents as Partners
A defining feature of the pilot program is ELOC’s emphasis on parental involvement. The organization understands that when families are engaged, students perform at higher levels.
Throughout the program, parents were encouraged to attend informational meetings, help establish study routines at home, and remain actively involved in their child’s academic progress. This family-centered approach strengthens not only academic outcomes but also the support systems students rely on as they navigate the path to college.
Promising Early Results
The pilot has already produced encouraging results. Some students improved their SAT scores by as much as 300 points, a significant gain that reflects both the students’ commitment and the effectiveness of the program’s structure.
Encouraged by these outcomes, ELOC is now exploring plans to expand the SAT prep initiative to include students in grades 9 through 11 during the upcoming summer session. Reaching students earlier will allow the organization to build long-term academic confidence and reduce the pressure often associated with college preparation.
Looking Ahead
As the pilot concludes, ELOC remains committed to expanding access to educational opportunities. Whether students choose to pursue college or enter the workforce, the organization continues to invest in programs that help them reach their full potential.
The SAT may no longer be required at every institution, but for many students, especially those applying to selective colleges, strong preparation can still open doors. Through initiatives like this, ELOC is ensuring that young people and their families have the tools, support, and guidance needed to move forward with confidence.
Looking Toward a Bigger Future
Buoyed by the success of the pilot, ELOC is planning to expand the program this summer to include students in grades 9 through 11. The goal is to reach students earlier, before the pressure of college applications begins.
“Preparation shouldn’t start in junior year,” an ELOC staff member noted. “It should start when students are still discovering who they are and what they want.”
By introducing SAT preparation earlier, ELOC aims to build confidence, reduce stress, and provide students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, with a stronger academic foundation.
Sister to Sister International (STSI), led by founder Dr. Cheryl Brannan, proudly announces the debut of its groundbreaking new podcast and a spotlight on their Maternal Health Programming.
The new Global Pulse: Voices of Progress Podcast will premiere on Monday, April 13, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM via Zoom, in commemoration of Black Maternal Health Week
Anchored in the powerful theme “Reclaiming Joy,” this inaugural episode launches more than a podcast; it ignites a movement.
Global Pulse is a bold platform dedicated to truth-telling, healing, and collective empowerment. It amplifies the voices, lived experiences, and community-driven solutions shaping the future of Black maternal health across the globe. Bringing together thought leaders, advocates, mothers, and innovators, the series challenges inequities while advancing real, systemic change.
This premiere delivers a compelling call to action:
Reclaiming joy is not just personal, it is a powerful, global strategy for progress.
Sister to Sister International also invites you to a Membership Mixer & Open House—connect, grow, and join a powerful community of purpose-driven women. Hosted with Eve Milan at the New York Wellness & Social Club.
Time & Location
Apr 10, 2026, 7:00 PM
Eve Milan Spa, 33 S Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601, USA
About the event
Sister to Sister International invites you to a Membership Mixer & Open House—connect, grow, and join a powerful community of purpose-driven women.
Hosted with Eve Milan Spa, New York Wellness & Social Club, enjoy meaningful conversation, meet members, and explore ways to get involved. Whether you’re new or looking to deepen your engagement, this is your moment to connect and be inspired.
Come experience the energy.
Build new relationships.
Win prizes and raffles.
Book a spa service.
Explore what’s possible within STSI.
Light refreshments, bites, and wine will be served as we gather in a welcoming, uplifting atmosphere designed to spark connection and community.
Special Giveaway: All members who register and attend will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win two tickets to the 2026 STSI Pre-Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch & Hat Parade, valued at $200.
Don’t miss this opportunity to stay connected, get the latest STSI updates, and celebrate our amazing community.
About STSI: Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) is a non-profit and non-governmental organization that aims to connect, advance, and strengthen women, girls, and families of African descent worldwide by linking them to available resources. Their organization achieves this goal through education, advocacy, and by promoting African culture. One of our primary objectives is to develop healthy lifestyles among our members. They focus on Health and Wellness, Education, and Global Affairs to achieve this. To support their objectives, they organize health symposia and campaigns, personal and professional development workshops and seminars, fundraisers to enable charitable contributions and student scholarships, global briefings, communications & academic enrichment programs for youth, and publish periodic newsletters and a news flash to promote advocacy and information sharing. They also engage in dialogue with legislators on key issues affecting women and families, support UN conferences, and network with women from all over the world, and collaborate with partners to advance our causes.
About Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW): BMHW is observed every year from April 11–17, founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to raise awareness and drive solutions to the Black maternal health crisis in the United States. This week is more than a campaign—it’s a movement rooted in reproductive justice, birth equity, and saving lives. Black Maternal Health Week exists because the numbers are alarming. Black women in the U.S. are 2–3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women; many of these deaths are preventable, and disparities persist regardless of income or education level. This is not just a healthcare issue—it’s a systemic issue tied to racism, bias, and unequal access to quality care. Black Maternal Health Week is ultimately about valuing Black life at every stage—before, during, and after childbirth. It challenges a system that has too often ignored Black women’s pain and demands: Healthy mothers. Healthy babies. Healthy communities.
