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“That’s Not How It Happened”: Jenkins Rebuts Rocah’s Account

DAMON K JONES
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“That’s Not How It Happened”: Jenkins Rebuts Rocah’s Account

Ken Jenkins, now Westchester County Executive, has issued a direct rebuttal to a moment that former District Attorney Mimi Rocah used as an emblem of political pressure on the DA’s office. Rocah, in a wide-ranging interview with Preet Bharara, described an early-career exchange with a senior county official after a law-enforcement press conference — an exchange she says prompted her to tell the caller, “I’m not on your team.” Jenkins says that the caller was him, and his explanation of the conversation sharply contradicts Rocah’s framing.

Read: The County Protects Its Brand — Not Its People: Former DA, Mimi Rocah, Explains Why

Below is Jenkins’s statement in full, provided to Black Westchester:

In the transcript of the recording, Mimi Rocah states that I was angry because she had not invited me and other elected officials to participate in her press conference on guns.

First and foremost, I was not angry. I was not concerned about being there; at that time, I was an appointed official, not an elected official. What I did speak to DA Rocah about was why the Mayors, the Chief Elected Officers of the cities DA Rocah stated this initiative was for were angry because she failed to communicate with the Mayors before asking an appointed Police Chief or Police Commissioner to attend a press conference. I did state that those elected officials appoint those Police officials and report to their appointing authority — not to the District Attorney. From what I recall of the conversation, DA Rocah seemed to understand why those Democratic Mayors may be upset. I am sure I stated that those Mayors, all Democrats, would want to support the District Attorney. I thought District Attorney Rocah appreciated the insight and would follow up with those individuals. I recall hearing that all the Mayors appreciated the District Attorney’s call, and that all the Mayors stated they did not need to be part of the press conference.

Jenkins’ account: coordination, not confrontation

Jenkins lays out three key points: he denies being angry; he stresses his status at the time as an appointed deputy rather than an elected official; and he frames his comments as a concern for the mayors whose police chiefs or commissioners were invited to the event. Jenkins says he emphasized that police chiefs are appointed officials who report to their appointing authorities and that his call was about communication and protocol, not political pressure.

To support that claim, Jenkins points to contemporaneous coverage of the Aug. 3, 2021, event. Local reporting and the DA’s own materials described the launch as a county-and-federal initiative to coordinate data, intelligence, and prosecutorial strategy against gun and gang violence — and identified the Real Time Crime Bureau and participating law-enforcement leaders pictured at the event. Jenkins argues those facts undercut the notion that the call was an expression of partisan reproach.

Rocah’s version: an emblem of pressure

Rocah used the exchange — and her reply, “I’m not on your team” — as a vivid example of what she characterized as persistent political pressure on the DA’s office. In her interview, she described attempts by outside parties to influence case decisions, staffing, and office priorities, and she framed the press-conference call as an early instance of elected officials or political actors inserting themselves into prosecutorial affairs.

Jenkins’ account stated plainly

Jenkins said the call was strictly procedural — not a rebuke — and that he was calling out of concern for Rocah’s relationships with local leaders. He told her the mayors would reasonably expect to be consulted before their appointed police chiefs or commissioners were asked to appear at a county-coordinated event, and he framed his comments as protocol and communication, not politics. From his perspective, the exchange was routine intergovernmental coordination in a multi-jurisdictional county: a deputy making sure the DA’s office had checked with the chief elected officers whose departments were involved.

What contemporaneous records show

Jenkins cites the Lohud story and local TV coverage (including News12) that reported on the program as an interagency effort to improve information-sharing and prosecute repeat offenders. The DA’s own statements and social posts at the time described participating county and municipal law-enforcement officials and the county’s authorization for the DA to use the Real Time Crime Bureau space. Those primary materials are what Jenkins holds up as corroboration of his account.

A clearer way to understand what’s at stake

This exchange between Mimi Rocah and Ken Jenkins is more than a clash of memories — it’s a lesson in how county politics actually works. Politics isn’t only headlines or personalities; it’s incentives, routines, and relationships — and yes, sometimes honest misunderstandings. For the public’s sake, elected officials should act independently and put constituents before party choreography.

Surviving the Shutdown: How Black America Can Stand Together When Washington Fails

DAMON K JONES
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Surviving the Shutdown: How Black America Can Stand Together When Washington Fails

The U.S. government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, has left nearly a million federal workers without pay and millions of Americans uncertain about when they’ll receive critical government assistance. For Black families, the stakes are exceptionally high. Federal jobs and aid programs have long been a bridge to stability and upward mobility in communities where private-sector opportunity remains limited. When the government shuts down, that bridge weakens — and survival becomes the priority.
If you depend on any form of government program — SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, Section 8, or Social Security — this is not a time for panic, but for preparation and connection. The following steps can help protect your household and strengthen your community during the shutdown.


First, secure your essentials immediately. Check your EBT or WIC balance, and stock up on durable foods like beans, rice, oats, and frozen vegetables. If you run short, local organizations such as Feeding Westchester, community churches, and neighborhood pantries are available to help. They often receive donations and emergency supplies during shutdowns.


Second, communicate early with your landlord or mortgage provider. If you rely on Section 8 or other HUD housing assistance, inform them that your benefits may be delayed. Most landlords and banks will work with tenants or homeowners who provide documentation and stay proactive rather than silent. HUD-certified housing counselors can also advocate for you and negotiate extensions if needed.


Third, stay on top of your healthcare coverage. Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA marketplace plans will continue to cover existing enrollees, but delays may occur for renewals or new applications. Keep a printed copy of your insurance card, medical prescriptions, and doctor’s contact information. For affordable care during disruptions, contact community clinics such as Open Door Family Medical Center or Westchester Community Health Center, which provide sliding-scale services regardless of insurance status.


Fourth, protect your finances. Call creditors, car lenders, and utility companies to explain your situation. Many have hardship programs that can pause payments without penalties during a shutdown. If you’re a federal employee or contractor, your local credit union may offer short-term, zero-interest loans to hold you over until pay resumes. Avoid payday lenders — their high-interest loans often turn a short-term crisis into long-term debt.
Fifth, strengthen your community network. When the government fails, the community must rise. Connect with your church, sorority, fraternity, or neighborhood association to share resources, meals, and transportation. Even small acts of cooperation — watching one another’s children, sharing food, or helping elders with errands — build resilience.
Finally, stay informed and engaged. The shutdown is a political crisis, but it’s also a reminder that survival and sovereignty go hand in hand. Know who represents you in Congress, and demand answers. The same energy we use to protest injustice must also be directed toward protecting economic stability and holding leaders accountable.
The shutdown may be temporary, but the lessons must be permanent. Black America cannot afford to depend on a system that repeatedly weaponizes our livelihoods for political games. This moment calls for unity, planning, and independence — principles that have always carried our people through hardship. Use this season not only to survive but to prepare for greater self-reliance when the system fails again.

The Lie of Return: Netanyahu’s False Narrative and the Erasure of African Hebrews

DAMON K JONES
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The Lie of Return: Netanyahu’s False Narrative and the Erasure of African Hebrews

When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that modern Jews in Israel are “the descendants of the ancient Israelites described in the Bible,” he wasn’t speaking truth—he was protecting power. His statement wasn’t historical; it was political. It was the continuation of a long tradition of European leaders rewriting scripture to justify control of land, identity, and faith.

Netanyahu’s own bloodline tells the real story. His family name was originally Mileikowsky, and his ancestors were Polish Ashkenazi Jews who migrated from Warsaw, Poland, to British-controlled Palestine in the 1920s. There is no historical or genetic evidence connecting Netanyahu’s lineage to the ancient Israelites of the Bible or to the African origins of the Hebrew people. His ancestry is European, not Afro-Asiatic. His heritage belongs to the line of converts, not the covenant.

The ancient Israelites were people of color—Afro-Asiatic tribes rooted in Africa and the Near East, descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Genesis and Exodus make their origin unmistakable. Abraham’s journey began in Ur, in the African-Asian corridor. Jacob’s descendants became a nation in Egypt. Exodus 2:19 records that Moses was mistaken for an Egyptian, while Numbers 12:1 tells us that he married an Ethiopian woman. Even the Messiah’s early years were spent in Africa—Matthew 2:13–15 describes how Joseph and Mary fled with Jesus into Egypt for safety. These are not the stories of Europeans; they are the stories of an African and Semitic people.

Archaeological and linguistic evidence supports this truth. Early Hebrew inscriptions discovered in the Sinai Peninsula and Canaan are written in Proto-Semitic scripts derived from Egyptian hieroglyphs. The people of the region were dark-skinned and shared customs, diets, and languages connected to African civilizations. The Hebrew identity was inseparable from its African environment—politically, culturally, and biologically.

Modern Israeli leaders, however, have built a national mythology rooted not in archaeology but in ideology. The majority of Jews living in Israel today are Ashkenazi, descended from communities that developed in Eastern and Central Europe over the past thousand years. Many historians trace the spread of Ashkenazi Judaism to the Khazar Empire, a Turkic kingdom in the Caucasus that adopted Judaism between the 8th and 9th centuries. Genetic research confirms that most Ashkenazi Jews possess a blend of Southern European and Slavic ancestry, with only a minor trace of ancient Near Eastern lineage. In short, they are European converts to a Middle Eastern faith—not the biological descendants of Israel’s original tribes.

Netanyahu’s personal history fits that pattern precisely. Born to Polish parents and raised in a family that Hebraized its name to “Netanyahu,” he represents a lineage of European migrants who adopted Hebrew names and narratives to establish legitimacy in the Middle East. It’s not a sin to convert or migrate—but it is a deception to claim ancient bloodline while dismissing the African roots of the people whose faith one inherited.

This distortion serves a clear purpose. By presenting European Jews as the “true Israelites,” Israel’s political establishment claims divine right to the land and recasts Palestinians—and all others—as foreigners. This is not about covenant; it’s about control. Billions of dollars in U.S. aid and Western political protection depend on this sacred narrative remaining unquestioned. If truth ever replaced propaganda, the moral foundation of modern Zionism would crumble.

Meanwhile, the Beta Israel of Ethiopia, the Lemba of South Africa, and the Igbo of Nigeria—African peoples who have preserved ancient Hebrew customs for centuries—are treated as outsiders by the very state that claims to represent Israel’s rebirth. These communities observe dietary laws, circumcision on the eighth day, Sabbath rest, and covenantal marriage traditions. Yet when Ethiopian Jews migrated to Israel in the 1980s and 1990s, they were met with racism, segregation, and even reports of forced sterilization. The hypocrisy is staggering: those with the oldest Hebrew practices are rejected, while those with the newest claims are revered.

The Bible never grants land or lineage by political inheritance; it grants it by obedience to God. Deuteronomy 7:6 reminds Israel that its chosen status was not because of blood, but because of covenant faithfulness. Psalm 68:31 declares, “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” Scripture and history agree—Africa was never outside of the story; it was the foundation of it.

Netanyahu’s Polish ancestry doesn’t disqualify his faith, but it does expose his falsehood. He is not a descendant of the Israelites of Egypt or the prophets of Judah. He is a product of European history, not African covenant. His claim to biblical descent is as artificial as the state narrative that sustains it.

The truth is that Israel’s original children were Black and Brown, scattered across Africa and the diaspora long before modern borders were drawn. Their story was not erased by time—it was buried under politics. To uncover it is not to hate anyone; it is to honor the God of truth who commands His people to remember their origins.

Yet, what may be even more troubling than Netanyahu’s distortion is the silence of those who know better—particularly among Black pastors and faith leaders. Too many pulpits remain quiet out of fear of being labeled “anti-Semitic.” But that fear is misplaced, because people of color are Semitic people. The descendants of Shem include the ancient Hebrews, Arabs, Ethiopians, and other Afro-Asiatic nations. To speak truth about who the Israelites were is not hate—it is history.

Jesus Himself was a Palestinian Jew, born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, and rooted in a land that was African and Semitic—not European. Our silence in the face of lies is not peace—it is betrayal. When we refuse to defend the historical Jesus, we betray the spiritual mission He lived and died for: truth, justice, and liberation.

Silence may protect reputations, but it cannot protect truth. And if we, as people of faith, continue to let others define our history, they will continue to define our destiny.

The real Israel did not come from Warsaw—it came from the womb of Africa. The covenant began under the African sun, written not in European bloodlines but in divine purpose. And no speech, no myth, and no prime minister can change that fact.

References

Scriptural References

  • Genesis 15:13 (KJV) – “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them…”
  • Exodus 2:19 (KJV) – “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds…”
  • Numbers 12:1 (KJV) – “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married.”
  • Matthew 2:13–15 (KJV) – “…flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
  • Acts 7:22 (KJV) – “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.”
  • Psalm 68:31 (KJV) – “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.”
  • Deuteronomy 7:6 (KJV) – “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself…”

Historical and Academic References

1. African and Afro-Asiatic Origins of the Israelites

  • Keita, S. O. Y., & Boyce, A. J. (1996). “Geographic Patterns of Human Crania Discrepancy: The Evidence from the Ancient Nile Valley.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology.
  • Redford, Donald B. (1992). Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times. Princeton University Press.
  • Diop, Cheikh Anta. (1974). The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality. Chicago Review Press.
  • Ben-Jochannan, Yosef A. (1993). Africa: Mother of Western Civilization. Black Classic Press.

2. Ethnography and Linguistics of Early Hebrews

  • Kitchen, Kenneth A. (2003). On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Eerdmans.
  • Greenberg, Joseph H. (1963). The Languages of Africa. Indiana University Press.
  • Gardiner, Alan. (1957). Egyptian Grammar: Being an Introduction to the Study of Hieroglyphs. Griffith Institute.

3. European and Khazar Ancestry of Ashkenazi Jews

  • Koestler, Arthur. (1976). The Thirteenth Tribe: The Khazar Empire and Its Heritage. Random House.
  • Ostrer, Harry. (2012). Legacy: A Genetic History of the Jewish People. Oxford University Press.
  • Behar, Doron M. et al. (2010). “The Genome-Wide Structure of the Jewish People.” Nature, 466(7303), 238–242.
  • Elhaik, Eran. (2013). “The Missing Link of Jewish European Ancestry: Contrasting the Rhineland and Khazarian Hypotheses.” Genome Biology and Evolution, 5(1), 61–74.

4. Zionist Hebraization and European Migration to Palestine

  • Shlaim, Avi. (2014). The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World. Penguin Books.
  • Pappe, Ilan. (2004). A History of Modern Palestine: One Land, Two Peoples. Cambridge University Press.
  • Segev, Tom. (2000). One Palestine, Complete: Jews and Arabs Under the British Mandate. Henry Holt & Co.
  • Sand, Shlomo. (2009). The Invention of the Jewish People. Verso Books.

5. African Jewish Communities (Beta Israel, Lemba, Igbo)

  • Parfitt, Tudor. (1993). The Lost Tribes of Israel: The History of a Myth. Phoenix.
  • Parfitt, Tudor. (2000). Journey to the Vanished City: The Search for a Lost Tribe of Israel. Vintage.
  • Falola, Toyin, & Heaton, Matthew M. (2010). A History of Nigeria. Cambridge University Press.
  • Levine, Donald N. (2014). Greater Ethiopia: The Evolution of a Multiethnic Society. University of Chicago Press.

6. Racial and Political Theology in Modern Israel

  • Massad, Joseph A. (2006). The Persistence of the Palestinian Question. Routledge.
  • Said, Edward W. (1979). The Question of Palestine. Vintage Books.
  • Finkelstein, Norman. (2003). Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict. Verso Books.
  • Khalidi, Rashid. (2020). The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine. Metropolitan Books.

7. Europeanization and Whitewashing of Biblical Figures

  • Snow, Edward. (1988). Inside Bruegel: The Play of Images in Children’s Games. North Point Press.
  • Goldenberg, David M. (2003). The Curse of Ham: Race and Slavery in Early Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.Princeton University Press.
  • Finney, Paul Corby. (1994). The Invisible God: The Earliest Christians on Art. Oxford University Press.

Modern Context and Commentary

  • Netanyahu, Benjamin. (2024, September). Interview Statement: “The Jews in Israel are the descendants of the ancient Israelites described in the Bible.” [Public broadcast transcript].
  • UN Human Rights Council Reports on Racial Discrimination in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories (2020–2024).
  • Haaretz (2023). “The Myth of Jewish Purity: What Israel’s DNA Studies Actually Reveal.”
  • Al Jazeera (2024). “African Hebrews in Israel: Still Treated as Outsiders.”

When Black Male Entertainers Defend Manhood, They Get Labeled the Enemy

DAMON K JONES
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When Black Male Entertainers Defend Manhood, They Get Labeled the Enemy

“When I talk about masculinity, they call it hate.” This line, echoing the frustration of 50 Cent in a recent interview, encapsulates the cultural climate we’re navigating. Every time a prominent Black man courageously discusses the state of manhood—about the confusion, weakness, and lack of direction being fed to young boys—the media is quick to brand it as toxic, anti-gay, or homophobic. The headlines drown out the message, and the conversation that could help rebuild families and strengthen communities gets lost in the noise.

What 50 Cent and other outspoken Black men are saying isn’t rooted in hate; it’s rooted in keen observation. They witness a culture that ridicules fatherhood, confuses boys about identity, and rewards emotional instability over discipline. They visit schools where boys are penalized for being assertive, homes where leadership is labeled as control, and entertainment where manhood is treated like a social disease. They see young men growing up with no blueprint for what a responsible, principled man looks like—and they’re sounding the alarm before it’s too late.

To be clear, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg are far from perfect messengers. Their hip-hop careers have not been all gravy when it comes to how Black men have been portrayed in music. For decades, both helped shape a culture that often glorified violence, objectified women, and confused dominance with leadership. Those contradictions can’t be ignored. Yet even with that history, the issue they’re speaking on now cannot be denied. Their message—that masculinity is under attack, that young Black boys are growing up without moral or masculine direction—still rings true. Sometimes truth comes from flawed voices, but that doesn’t make the truth any less real.

Even within the influential sphere of Hollywood, voices are echoing the same concerns. Anthony Mackie, the Black actor now embodying the role of Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, boldly stated that there is “an attack on masculinity.” His words, not those of a political commentator, but a leading figure within Disney, a corporation often criticized for its portrayal of alternative lifestyles, carry significant weight. Mackie’s voice, situated at the heart of the entertainment industry, has the potential to shape the perceptions of our children.

And they’re not alone. Parents across the country are pushing back against the steady introduction of sexual identity and relationship themes into children’s programming. Cartoons once made for kids are now being used to normalize debates adults can barely agree on. Faith-based groups, community leaders, and educators have all raised concerns that these companies are not reflecting diversity—they’re directing it. The same entertainment industry that dismisses talk of masculine values seems fully invested in redefining childhood itself.

This is where control over narrative becomes critical. With Ellison’s recent acquisition consolidating BET, CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon under one corporate roof, a single gatekeeper now decides which Black stories are “safe” to air and which ones disappear. When one company owns the outlets that shape Black culture, news, and entertainment, it also owns the perception of what’s acceptable for Black audiences to think, say, or feel. That’s not progress—it’s programming.

The men being criticized—whether rappers, actors, or fathers—are not fighting against representation; they’re fighting for responsibility. They want to see boys grow into disciplined men, not confused consumers. They want families restored, not replaced by trends. Absolute masculinity isn’t about control or aggression—it’s about order, protection, and service. It’s about teaching boys that strength is moral, not violent; that self-control is power, not weakness.

A society that ridicules those virtues cannot produce men of virtue. The media, instead of engaging the substance of what these men are saying, chooses the easy story—the moral outrage, the viral headline. But outrage doesn’t raise sons. Hashtags don’t build households. And demonizing Black men who call for strength only ensures another generation grows up without it.

If we truly aspire to foster healthy conversations about gender, identity, and equality in America, we must stop penalizing men for discussing discipline, duty, and leadership. The issue isn’t that too many are talking about masculinity—it’s that too few are allowed to. Until we can have that discussion without censorship or caricature, the headlines will keep shouting “hate” while our boys grow up lost in confusion. Let’s strive for a balanced narrative on masculinity that encourages open, respectful discussions and positively influences perceptions.

The truth is simple: masculinity isn’t the enemy. The absence of it is.

NCNW Westchester Section Celebrates 70 Years of Service — Honors ELOC with the Dr. Thelma Daley Environmental Award

DAMON K JONES
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NCNW Westchester Section Celebrates 70 Years of Service — Honors ELOC with the Dr. Thelma Daley Environmental Award

New Rochelle, NY — October 2, 2025. The Westchester Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) marked its 70th anniversary with an inspiring celebration at the Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle, recognizing a decade-spanning legacy of service and sisterhood. The milestone event honored at least ten organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to education, health, and community empowerment across Westchester County.

Among this year’s distinguished honorees was Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC), a Mount Vernon–based nonprofit that continues to lead the charge in promoting environmental education and sustainable development in underserved communities. ELOC received the Dr. Thelma Daley Environmental Award, one of the organization’s highest honors.

ELOC: Leading the Way in Environmental Justice and Equity

Accepting the award on behalf of ELOC were Dr. Diana K. Williams, Executive Director, and Marvin Church, Associate Director. Dr. Williams—a respected dentist and MBA holder—has led ELOC’s mission to educate, empower, and equip young people to become future leaders in environmental and technological innovation.

“This award is a testament to the power of education and faith in action,” Dr. Williams shared. “It reflects the dedication of our 609 graduates, the tireless work of our staff, and the belief that environmental justice is not separate from civil rights—it is at the heart of them.”

Mr. Church, a long-standing advocate for green workforce development and clean energy initiatives, emphasized the importance of inclusion in both environmental and emerging AI fields. “We’re building a future where those most impacted by pollution are also leading the solutions,” he said.

Honoring Dr. Thelma Daley’s Legacy

The award is named after Dr. Thelma Daley, who is a trailblazer in education and civic leadership whose life’s work embodied empowerment and progress. The Dr. Thelma Daley Environmental Award honors individuals and organizations that advance sustainability, innovation, and justice—particularly within communities of color.

A Call to Continue the Work

The 70th Anniversary Gala united community leaders, policymakers, educators, and advocates around a shared vision of progress and purpose. It was not just a night of recognition—but a call to action to support the next generation of changemakers who are tackling environmental, economic, and health disparities head-on.

ELOC expressed its heartfelt gratitude to NCNW for the honor, reaffirming its commitment to advancing environmental equity and sustainable opportunity throughout Westchester County.

“We thank the NCNW Westchester Section for recognizing our mission and legacy,” ELOC stated. “Together, we’re proving that environmental justice is community justice.”

Billions Lost: Netflix Boycotts Over Trans Kids’ Shows Spark Culture War and Stock Drop

DAMON K JONES
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Billions Lost: Netflix Boycotts Over Trans Kids’ Shows Spark Culture War and Stock Drop

Netflix finds itself in the crosshairs of controversy again — this time, not for password sharing crackdowns or price hikes, but for what some critics see as a deliberate push of transgender themes in children’s programming.

The uproar ignited after Dead End: Paranormal Park, an animated series featuring a transgender lead character, gained visibility on the platform. Soon after, other youth-targeted content, including Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City, drew criticism for including LGBTQ+ characters. The backlash escalated when billionaire Elon Musk called on his millions of followers to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, framing the issue as an attack on children and family values.

The Boycott Movement

Across social media, hashtags like #CancelNetflix have gained momentum. Conservative commentators and parent groups argue that children’s media should not be the arena for sexual identity debates, accusing Netflix of“indoctrination.” Some subscribers claim they have already canceled, while others are demanding corporate accountability.

Counting the Cost: Billions on the Line

This isn’t just a culture war — it’s also affecting Wall Street. Following Musk’s call for boycotts, Netflix shares fell between 1 and 2 percent in a single trading session, wiping out an estimated $15–17 billion in market value. Reports also suggest a noticeable spike in subscription cancellations, though Netflix itself has not confirmed these numbers.

Still, financial analysts warn that these market shocks are often short-lived. Netflix weathered a similar storm during the 2020 backlash against ‘Cuties,’ and many investors believe that long-term subscriber churn is unlikely to be catastrophic. However, the sell-off demonstrates that even cultural debates can have real financial consequences for billion-dollar corporations.

What It Means for Black America

For Black families, the controversy raises more profound questions. Who decides what values our children are taught through the media? Should we leave that decision to corporations in Silicon Valley and Hollywood, or should we take more responsibility for shaping cultural content in our households?

Historically, Black America has battled for representation on screen, fighting against stereotypes that painted us as criminals, maids, or comic relief. Now, as new cultural agendas flood children’s programming, the question is whether a new fight over identity politics is overshadowing our fight for visibility.

The Black community must also confront the economic angle. Our children are heavy consumers of streaming content. If we don’t build our own platforms, we are at the mercy of billion-dollar companies deciding what images and values dominate the screen. Meanwhile, Black-owned streaming platforms, children’s book publishers, and production studios struggle to get the same attention or support.

Beyond Netflix: The Need for Black-Owned Online Platforms

This moment is bigger than Netflix. It’s about building Black-owned online platforms that can deliver programming shaped by our values, our stories, and our vision for the next generation. If families don’t feel represented or respected on mainstream platforms, the answer cannot be limited to outrage. It must also be ownership. Just as we encourage people to “Buy Black,” we must also encourage them to “Watch Black.”

Black Westchester has long argued that without institution-building — whether in politics, media, education, or business — our community will always be reacting to someone else’s agenda instead of setting our own. Netflix is just the latest example.

The Bottom Line

Whether you cancel Netflix or keep your subscription, the deeper challenge is what we allow into our homes and into our children’s minds. The real boycott we need is against passivity — against allowing others to shape the moral compass of our community.

The fight is not just about trans kids’ shows. It’s about control, responsibility, and the future of Black families.

Let The People Speak! By Tamara Stewart

AJ Woodson
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Let The People Speak! By Tamara Stewart

The principle of free speech is enshrined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. In America, we are justifiably proud of our right to express our views, speak for or against various issues, openly agree or disagree with one another, or tell our elected officials how we feel about the job they’re doing. 

Public libraries are a cornerstone of our society’s commitment to public education, personal enrichment, free speech, and the democratic exchange of ideas. The American Library Association (ALA), which is the largest membership association in the library industry, has the following statement about Intellectual Freedom on its website: “ALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society.” (Emphasis mine.) ALA’s Library Bill of Rights urges libraries to resist censorship and cooperate with those who resist the abridgement of free expression. 

Shockingly, the Mount Vernon Public Library (MVPL) seems to have forgotten the cherished library principles of intellectual freedom and free speech; it is the first, and only, public library in Westchester County to turn its back on the First Amendment. In a September 12th notice posted on the library’s website, MVPL announced that it will suspend the period of public expression at its regular meetings until further notice:  https://mountvernonpubliclibrary.org/public-expression-notice-2025/ 

The library board will vote on a resolution to implement this censorship of free speech at a special meeting scheduled for Monday, September 22nd, at 4:30 pm, when many members of the community are working and unable to attend. MVPL’s bylaws include a period of public expression, and public expression has been allowed at the library’s regular meetings for many decades. The current board, Director, and Treasurer have recently been questioned by the public about some serious concerns, including: 

∙ A controversial bond proposal for the purchase of a 120-year-old single-family residence for $1.7 million; 

∙ The library exceeded its annual budget by more than $600,000 in 2023-2024, and more than $500,000 in 2024-2025; 

∙ Frequent violations of the Open Meetings Law; 

∙ The decision to appoint MVPL’s Treasurer and Chief Account Clerk as bank  signers in violation of the need for checks and balances to safeguard public  funds; 

∙ A one-day program devoted to honoring Rapper DMX, costing $23,000; and an improper re-vote for Board of Trustees Vice President that took place at a special meeting on July 21, 2025.

Censorship of the public is wrong, especially by a taxpayer-funded institution. Public expression allows a community to hold its leaders accountable. When the board chooses to suspend public comment, it gives the impression that they may be trying to shield impropriety from public scrutiny. If you disagree with the board’s decision, please join me in contacting the Mount Vernon Public Library’s leadership team: 

Timur Davis, Library Director – timurd@mvplibrary.org 

Jay Vosler, Treasurer – treasurer@mvplibrary.org 

Hope Marable, President – Trustee4@mvplibrary.org 

Kim Harper, Vice President – Trustee5@mvplibrary.org 

Cynthia Dickerson, Secretary – Trustee2@mvplibrary.org 

Cynthia Crenshaw, Trustee – Trustee1@mvplibrary.org 

Loretta Thomas, Trustee – Trustee3@mvplibrary.org 

The board will hold its postponed regular meeting on Wednesday, September 24th, at 6:30 pm at the Mount Vernon Public Library, 28 S. First Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY, in the Community Room. 

The ability for people to speak freely at library board meetings is not just a courtesy; it is a fundamental part of our democratic process and a core value of the library. Inform Director Davis and the board that, if the library truly values the public’s input, as stated in the posted notice, they will reverse course and allow the people to speak. 

Thank you for standing up for the First Amendment. 

Sincerely, 

Tamara Stewart 

Library Advocate

Westchester Children’s Association’s Annual Breakfast Addresses Advocacy In Challenging Times

AJ Woodson
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Westchester Children’s Association’s Annual Breakfast Addresses Advocacy In Challenging Times

Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) will host their Annual Advocacy Breakfast in October with the theme: “Advocacy in the Time of Change.” The Kathryn Wasserman Davis Child Advocacy Lecture will be delivered by keynote speaker Damali Peterman, Esq, Author, specialist in conflict management and negotiation. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 21 at 8:00 AM at the Harrison Meadows Country Club, located at 123 North Street in Harrison, NY. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at this link.

With the release of her new book, Be Who You Are to Get What You Want, Damali Peterman, Esq., will discuss how to be an authentic advocate for yourself, your neighbors and your community, especially in times and circumstances when advocacy seems difficult or impossible.

“Every fall, WCA gathers parents, educators, community members, government officials, and other key stakeholders to address a pressing issue affecting children. This year we are focusing on being an advocate for yourself and others in the current challenging climate. We are sure that everyone who attends will walk away with information and insight to help them feel enlightened and empowered,” stated Adam Rabinovitch, newly appointed Executive Director of WCA. 

Event Details:

  • Topic: Advocacy in the Time of Change
  • Speaker: Damali Peterman, Esq, Author, specialist in conflict management and negotiation
  • Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
  • Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Location: Harrison Meadows Country Club, 123 North St, Harrison, NY 10528
  • Tickets: $75 Per Person
  • To Purchase Tickets: Ticket Link

About Westchester Children’s Association: Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) is a multi-issue, child advocacy nonprofit that works to ensure that every child in Westchester is healthy, safe, and prepared for life’s challenges, regardless of race or zip code. Since 1914, WCA has been the leading independent voice for Westchester’s children by identifying their needs, making those needs known to the public, and ensuring those needs are met through advocacy and mobilization efforts. For more information about Westchester Children’s Association, visit their website at www.wca4kids.org. 

A Wake-Up Call for Black Westchester: Our Schools Are Failing, and So Are We if We Stay Silent

DAMON K JONES
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A Wake-Up Call for Black Westchester: Our Schools Are Failing, and So Are We if We Stay Silent

If you asked a teenager at Yonkers High School where their school ranks, you’d hear pride: 585th nationally, scoring 96.73%. Just a few miles south in Mount Vernon, the story is shameful. Mount Vernon High School ranks between 13,427 and 17,901 nationally, with less than a 25% score. Mount Vernon STEAM Academy is ranked 10,471, at just 41.5%. These aren’t just numbers. They are the visible proof of educational apartheid in Westchester County. While some schools thrive, Black-majority districts like Mount Vernon and Peekskill languish at the bottom. For Black parents and residents across this county, this must be a wake-up call. Our children are not getting the education they deserve, and if we don’t demand change, we are complicit in their failure.

The divide could not be clearer:

  • Yonkers High School – Ranked 585 nationally, 96.73% score (very strong).
  • Lincoln High School – Ranked 4,285, 76.06% score (mid-level performance).
  • Saunders Trades & Technical High School – Ranked 6,049, 66.21% score (average performance).
  • Roosevelt High School – Ranked 11,507, 35.72% score (low performance).
  • Gorton High School – Ranked 10,016, 44.05% score (low performance).
  • White Plains High School – ranked 3,989th, with a score of 77.72%.
  • New Rochelle High School – ranked 4,758th, scoring 73.42%.
  • Woodlands (Greenburgh) – ranked 4,838th, with a score of 72.97%.

These schools, while not in the elite tier of Scarsdale or Bronxville, are steady, competitive, and provide a real pathway to higher education.

Now compare those results to predominantly Black communities:

  • Mount Vernon High School – at the very bottom of the rankings, between 13,427 and 17,901, registering below 25%.
  • Mount Vernon STEAM Academy – ranked 10,471, with a score of 41.5%.
  • Peekskill High School – also at the very bottom of the rankings, under 25%.
  • Elmsford’s Alexander Hamilton High School – ranked 8,794th, with a score of just 50.87%.

The disparities are not marginal — they are gaping. In one Westchester school district, students compete with the best in the nation; in another, just a few miles away, children are statistically locked out of opportunity before they ever set foot in a college admissions office.

The disparities are not the fault of our children. They are symptoms of structural inequities. New York has one of the most inequitable school funding systems in the country, disproportionately shortchanging districts that serve Black, Brown, and low-income students. Westchester’s zoning practices only deepen the divide, creating school district borders that wall off resources along racial and economic lines. Mount Vernon itself has been flagged as being under “severe fiscal stress” by state oversight agencies, a condition that bleeds into every corner of its schools, from teacher retention to extracurricular opportunities. Yet the state has failed to intervene in any meaningful way. Meanwhile, districts like Scarsdale or Bronxville maintain elite status because their funding is protected, their infrastructure is maintained, and their parents demand accountability. The political dysfunction in cities like Mount Vernon only makes matters worse. School boards are too often dominated by infighting, mismanagement, and misplaced priorities. Instead of focusing on curriculum, teacher support, and facilities, too many administrators and politicians have treated education as another opportunity for patronage and personal ambition. The result is visible in the rankings — systemic neglect and political failure have translated directly into lost futures for Black children.

The cost of underperforming schools is not just measured in test scores. It plays out in fewer scholarships earned, fewer college seats secured, and fewer pipelines to trade programs or technology careers. It drags down property values in Black-majority cities like Mount Vernon and Peekskill. It leads to higher unemployment, deeper poverty, and a growing cycle of disenfranchisement that begins not in adulthood, but in the classroom. It also plays out in the lack of economic development. If we as adults are failing to teach our children, then we are failing the Black businesses of tomorrow. We cannot be blind to the correlation between the fact that only two percent of businesses in Westchester are Black-owned and the reality that so many of our students are graduating without even the basic skills needed to survive. Educational failure and economic weakness are directly connected, and unless we address one, the other will continue to wither.

Black residents of Mount Vernon, Peekskill, Elmsford, and beyond must stop treating poor education as normal. Our children’s futures cannot be collateral damage in the games of politicians or the inertia of state funding formulas. We have to hold school boards accountable and demand transparency in budgets, hiring, and curriculum. We need coalitions of parents who will organize, attend meetings, and refuse excuses. We must push Albany to overhaul the formulas that consistently disadvantage poor and Black districts. Without systemic reform, no amount of local effort will be enough. Equally important, we cannot allow the political dysfunction that has crippled Mount Vernon for decades to keep distracting us from the true issue. Children’s futures must come before the ambitions of mayors, trustees, and political operatives. And beyond demanding reform, we must invest in our children directly through tutoring, mentorship, and afterschool programs that supplement what the schools are failing to provide.

There is reason for hope. Yonkers High proves that even in diverse, urban settings, schools can excel with the right leadership and investment. White Plains demonstrates how a mixed-income district can deliver consistent, stable results. The lesson is clear: when communities demand excellence and leadership delivers, the children rise to the challenge. But hope without responsibility is worthless. Black Westchester must refuse to accept that our children are destined to be last. As Malcolm X once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Right now, our children are being denied that passport. The question is whether we as parents, residents, and leaders will fight to put it back in their hands. This is not just about education policy. It is about survival. A community that accepts failing schools accepts a failing future.

References: The Education Trust–New York: New York ranks near bottom of states in analysis of school funding disparities (2023). The Century Foundation: How Zoning Drives Educational Inequality: The Case of Westchester County (2019). NY Senate District Report: Mount Vernon City School District – Severe Fiscal Stress (2024). Alliance for Quality Education NY: The Impact of Funding Discrepancies on Educational Opportunities: Peekskill vs. Scarsdale(2018). US News Best High Schools Rankings – Mount Vernon, Peekskill, Yonkers, New Rochelle, White Plains, Greenburgh, Elmsford (2025).

The Ripple Effect: Black Women’s Job Loss and America’s Hungry Children By Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam

Black Westchester
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The Ripple Effect: Black Women’s Job Loss and America’s Hungry Children By Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam

Nearly 300,000 Black women have exited the American labor force in the past three months, according to a recent MSNBC article. Much of the coverage has focused on federal job cuts, the dismantling of DEI programs, inflation, and student loan debt. But what has been less discussed is the devastating downstream effect: the connection between Black women’s economic displacement and the rising rates of food insecurity—particularly among children.

The Invisible Cost of Exit

When Black women lose access to stable jobs, entire households and communities suffer. Black women are often primary breadwinners and caretakers. The sudden loss of income doesn’t just disrupt their personal career trajectory; it undermines the economic stability of families. For children, this instability manifests directly and measurably: empty refrigerators, missed meals, and declining health outcomes. Food insecurity isn’t just about hunger—it is about developmental setbacks, chronic stress, and diminished educational performance.

Systemic Barriers That Compound the Crisis

The reasons behind Black women’s mass labor exodus are structural, not individual. Dr. Kecia M. Thomas has written about the “pet to threat” phenomenon: when Black women shift from being celebrated as assets to being perceived as threats to organizational culture. Research confirms that 36% of Black women have left jobs because they felt unsafe, and that working in predominantly white teams increases attrition while decreasing promotion opportunities. These workplace inequities limit long-term career advancement and restrict access to stable, high-paying jobs—the very jobs that allow families to thrive and children to avoid hunger.

Meanwhile, the dismantling of corporate DEI programs—including employee resource groups (ERGs), mentorship pipelines, and sponsorship opportunities—has further widened the “network gap.” Research shows that 70% of professionals get hired through someone they know. Black women, already underrepresented in leadership, now have fewer pathways to expand their networks, leading to reduced access to career mobility and economic security.

Children Caught in the Crossfire

The ripple effects of workforce exits are stark. Children in households where parents—particularly mothers—experience job loss are more likely to face food insecurity. Studies consistently show that children who experience food insecurity struggle academically, are at greater risk for behavioral health challenges, and often face long-term health disparities. For Black children, whose mothers disproportionately bear the brunt of these systemic inequities, the stakes are life-defining.

This is not just an economic issue; it is a social justice crisis. Every time a Black woman is pushed out of the workforce due to systemic inequities, her child’s ability to thrive is compromised.

A Call to Action

Policy leaders, corporate executives, and community organizations must confront this crisis head-on. That means protecting and expanding DEI initiatives that give Black women a fair chance at career advancement. It means investing in safety nets—like SNAP, school meal programs, and childcare subsidies—that ensure children don’t go hungry when household incomes falter. And it means acknowledging that labor policies are not just about workforce participation, but about the health and well-being of the next generation.

Food insecurity is a preventable crisis. But prevention begins with ensuring that Black women—who are holding up families, classrooms, hospitals, and boardrooms—are not forced out of the labor force by systemic bias and policy neglect. When we protect Black women’s place in the workforce, we safeguard children’s futures.

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