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Our Culture Is Not A Marketing Strategy – Essence Fest, Target, & The Price Of Our Presence By Nikki Porcher

Black Westchester
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Our Culture Is Not A Marketing Strategy – Essence Fest, Target, & The Price Of Our Presence By Nikki Porcher

Essence Fest has always been more than a festival. It’s a cultural homecoming for Black Women, a place to see each other, celebrate each other, and remember our power. I’ve been part of Essence Fest as a vendor, a speaker, a customer, and a business leader. I know firsthand what it feels like when Black Women pour into each other in one space.

This week, an e-blast from Essence went out with the subject line: “Our sponsors are bringing the vibes to Essence Fest.” And one of those major sponsors? Target.

Target has been a staple at Essence Fest for years. Every time I’ve attended, their booth has been one of the biggest and busiest. People stood in lines for hours, leaving with tote bags, beauty products, and whatever was free that day. But that was before this summer, before the active boycott.

Target is facing a boycott for quietly rolling back its DEI commitments. They dissolved their REACH committee, cut support for Black and LGBTQ+ products, and stepped away from the promises they made to us in 2020. Their own CEO admitted they pulled Black- and LGBTQ-themed products in response to backlash, not to protect us, but to protect the comfort of others.

So, is showing up in our cultural spaces really an act of “community support,” or just another marketing strategy?

Essence Fest is powerful because it centers Black Women 

But at what point do we remind these brands and ourselves that our trust, our presence, and our dollars are worth more than free tote bags and flashy activations? At what point do we decide that we matter more than a contract?

These are questions I’ve had to face myself. I’ve turned down major partnerships and walked away from checks that looked good on paper but didn’t honor my values. Saying no is hard but necessary when your integrity is on the line.

If you’re going to go this year, make sure you move with purpose: 

  1. Do not go to the Target activation.
  2. Leave the free bags and samples behind.
  3. Spend your money with Black-owned vendors and amplify their names.

Show Essence Fest and every brand that our presence and our dollars come with power and expectations.

Target is watching 

They are waiting to see how we show up. If you stand in that line, if you take those free bags and samples, you are sending a message. You are confirming that we don’t care if they roll back their commitments. You are telling them we’re still here, still supporting, no matter what they do.

We are losing too many Black businesses and cultural spaces because we keep letting these lines blur. We forget that economic protest isn’t just about saying “no” to a brand, it’s about saying “yes” to us. Real support requires more than showing up, it demands alignment, intention, and accountability.

This moment isn’t just about Target. It’s about all the brands that show up loudly when it’s convenient and retreat when it gets hard. It’s about whether we will keep letting them center themselves in our spaces without questioning what that costs us.

Also, we need to stop comparing the Target boycott to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. That boycott worked because the community was consolidated in one city, moving together every single day. They held hands, walked together, and achieved clear, measurable results. Today, we’re navigating a different landscape, trying to move as a collective across states, screens, and algorithms. It’s new ground for many of us, and it feels complicated and blurry. We’re learning in real time what it means to act nationally while still holding local commitments.

And we haven’t seen real results from our boycott of Target.

We say we want liberation, we say we want to keep Black businesses alive, and we say we want equity.

Those words mean nothing if we leave our standards at the door when it’s time to dance and celebrate.

About Nikki Porcher: Nikki Porcher is a 2x Thought Leader of The Year, founder of the award-winning organization Buy From A Black Woman, and host of the top-rated podcast The Nikki Porcher Show. Over the last decade, she’s supported over 700 Black women business owners and built a community of 266.8K supporters, and during the pandemic, she helped Black women generate over $6.12 Million in revenue. Through her recently launched platform Buy From A Black Business, she’s expanding her impact to support all Black-owned businesses across the Black community.

For more information on Nikki Porcher, visit her website
and follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Rep. Latimer Recognizes Local NAACP Leaders In 16th Congressional District

Black Westchester
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Rep. Latimer Recognizes Local NAACP Leaders In 16th Congressional District

From the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman George Latimer recognized local NAACP leaders in the 16th Congressional District which consist of a small portion of the northern Bronx (specifically the neighborhood of Co-op City, Bronx) and the southern half of Westchester County, including the mixed suburban/urban cities of White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Rye, Thursdsay afternoon.

“The vibrant African American community in the Bronx and Westchester County have had a tireless advocate on their side for decades, the NAACP. fighting for reform and social progress, the rights and residence who want a fair shot in life and a better today and tomorrow for their children. We are all familiar with the effective advocacy of the NAACP, including the lifetime achievement of Dr. Hazel Dukes, who recently passed away, but there are local heroes who do exceptional work in our hometown neighborhood. Let me recognize some of these key branch leaders. In Co-Op City, Leslie Peterson and Brenda Brown, in New Rochelle, Aisha Cook and Jareca Lee, in Yonkers Kisha Skipper and Karen Edmonson, in Williamsbridge Laura Rhodan and Shirley Fearon, in Mount Vernon, Kathie Brewington and AJ Woodson, in White Plains/Greenburgh Janice Griffith, in Port Chester Rye James J. Henderson III and other leaders such as Mnister Mark McLean, the Rev, Frank Coleman and the Rev Margaret Fountain-Coleman. Their hard work and principled advocacy for equal rights, economic justice, and education warrants recognition on the floor of the House of Representatives,” Rep Latimer shared.

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

In related news, the Mount Vernon City School District is inducting U.S. Rep. George Latimer (16th District), former NY State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, and longtime CBS New York meteorologist Elise Finch Henriques (posthumously) into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

U.S. Rep. George Latimer (16th District) was born and grew up in Mount Vernon, graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1970, and graduating with a B.A. from Fordham University in 1974, as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner School in 1976. 

Latimer took office as Westchester County Executive in January 2018 and was re-elected to a second term in November 2021. He won the 16th District race in November 2024 and took office in January 2025. 

During his tenure as County Executive, Latimer upheld an impressive record of achievements including three consecutive County property tax cuts and credit rating stabilization. He is also responsible for bringing several long-standing infrastructure projects to fruition, including the historic Elijah J. Miller House, Sprain Ridge Pool, New Rochelle Family Court, and the North and South County Trailways. Latimer broke ground on Memorial Field in Mount Vernon and unveiled the County’s 9/11 First Responders Memorial on the 20th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks, dedicated to the heroes who passed away from 9/11 related illnesses. Over the years, Latimer has received public recognition and awards from numerous Westchester and Hudson Valley organizations for his work, including by the Sarah Neuman Center, the Washingtonville Housing Alliance, Congregation Anshe Sholom in New Rochelle, the Port Chester/Rye Brook Chamber of Commerce, the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce, LMC-TV, Council of Community Services in Port Chester-Rye Town, Helping Hands and the NY State Association of School Psychologists.

Mt. Vernon News Center Exclusive Interview With BW Publisher Damon K. Jones

AJ Woodson
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Mt. Vernon News Center Exclusive Interview With BW Publisher Damon K. Jones

In this special edition of Mount Vernon News Center, Black Westchester Publisher Damon K. Jones sits down with Atif Coleman for an exclusive, no-holds-barred interview about the future of Mount Vernon. From local leadership and accountability to development, justice, and the power of community media — nothing is off the table.

Mount Vernon NewsCenter is a comprehensive source of local and national news, sports, and entertainment information, owned and operated by AK COLE & Co. Follow MVNC on Facebook

Hope Isn’t a Budget — What Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Means for Black New Yorkers

DAMON K JONES
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Hope Isn’t a Budget — What Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Means for Black New Yorkers

“It always seems impossible until it is done.”
That’s how Zohran Mamdani opened his victory speech after winning the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. He cast his win as a moral triumph — a new dawn for working families, the immigrant poor, and the forgotten boroughs of New York.

But here’s the truth: elections are not outcomes, and rhetoric is not governance.

Mamdani’s platform — built on promises of free public transit, rent freezes, guaranteed childcare, and universal dignity — might stir the heart. But New York doesn’t run on sentiment. It runs on budgets, infrastructure, and hard economic realities. And that’s where the cracks begin to show, especially for Black New Yorkers.

Let’s be clear: Mamdani didn’t just beat Andrew Cuomo. He beat a culture of political realism with the seductive promise of ideological purity. But if his ideas fail — and history gives us reason to worry they might — it’s Black communities that will feel the fallout first.

Free Transit Isn’t Free
New York’s MTA faces a $1.5 billion deficit. Fares account for 35 percent of its operating revenue. Eliminating them sounds progressive, but the economics don’t hold. Kansas City tried this. Within three years, service cuts hit working neighborhoods hardest — longer wait times, fewer routes, and more frustration. Who suffers most when transit fails? The home health aide in the Bronx. The fast food worker in Flatbush. The night shift nurse in Harlem. That’s the cost of feel-good policy without a funding plan.

Rent Control Without Housing
Black New Yorkers are already squeezed by rising rents and stagnant wages. The city’s rent-stabilized vacancy rate is under 1 percent — a symptom of tight supply, not just landlord greed. The 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act was supposed to protect tenants, but it discouraged new development and building upkeep. Now Mamdani wants to go even further.

But here’s the fundamental problem: How does he expect developers to build new units if they can’t raise rents to match the rising costs of materials, labor, maintenance, and insurance? That’s a lose-lose situation — for builders, for investors, and ultimately for the families who need housing. It punishes the very activity the city needs: construction.

You can’t freeze your way into affordability if there’s nothing new being built. Without incentives, you get decay, not development. And when properties aren’t maintained or expanded, it’s Black and brown communities — already living in aging buildings with limited mobility — who suffer the most.

Tax the Rich — But Then What?
New York’s top 1 percent of earners pay nearly half the city’s income tax. Since 2020, more than 250,000 high-income residents have left, taking $18 billion in taxable income with them. If they keep leaving, guess who picks up the slack? Not the corporations — but the middle class. That means higher taxes on Black-owned small businesses already struggling under city regulations. It means fewer city contracts, slower services, and more cuts to the very programs Black families rely on.

Progressive Chaos Hurts the People It Claims to Help
Mamdani’s vision mirrors the same experiment cities like San Francisco and Portland already tried — and failed. Services were slashed, public safety declined, and business districts collapsed. Meanwhile, families of color were pushed further to the margins. We’ve seen what happens when ideology overrides outcomes. It’s not theoretical. It’s lived.

Despite spending over $38,000 per public school student — the highest in the nation — New York City schools continue to underperform in math and reading, especially in Black and Latino neighborhoods. Throwing more money at broken systems isn’t bold reform. It’s institutional malpractice.

Sanctuary City Promises Come with a Price Tag
Mamdani has promised to defy federal immigration enforcement. But that already costs the city over $200 million annually in lost federal aid. While the symbolism plays well on social media, the consequences are real. Budget holes will be filled with cuts to services and programs. History tells us where those cuts usually land: education, transit, housing — and in communities of color.

What Does This Mean for Black New Yorkers?
It means beware of political poetry that comes with no economic plan. Beware of promises of free everything when there’s no clear path to pay for it. And beware of leadership that confuses moral declarations with measurable results. We don’t need another movement that sounds good but produces nothing. We need policy that works — that creates jobs, lowers costs, strengthens families, and protects the dignity of labor.

Because here’s what politicians rarely say:
Dignity is not government handouts.
Dignity is access to a quality education.
Dignity is learning a trade or skill.
Dignity is starting a business and hiring others.
Dignity is ownership — not dependency.

Between 2010 and 2020, New York City lost over 110,000 Black residents — many relocating to the South or suburbs in search of better schools, safer neighborhoods, and lower costs of living. If Mamdani’s ideas chase away more working- and middle-class families with higher taxes and fewer services, that number will only grow.

We’ve seen symbolic victories before. David Dinkins was New York’s first Black mayor, but even he couldn’t escape the weight of fiscal mismanagement and rising crime. Symbolism is not a substitute for results.

And to the young voters who powered Mamdani’s rise: be careful. Passion is powerful — but policy is permanent. If you want a future in this city, you should demand ideas that build, not just inspire. Good intentions don’t pay rent. They don’t create jobs. They don’t educate children.

Mamdani’s win may energize a new generation of activists. But if his administration leads to fewer services, higher costs, and greater instability, the impact will fall hardest on the people progressives claim to protect. That includes Black New Yorkers — the essential workers, the caretakers, the small business owners, the families still trying to recover from the last crisis.

Leadership isn’t about slogans. It’s about consequences.
And this time, we better pay attention to the price tag.

Letter to the Editor: Kenneth Plummer and Rise Up Mount Vernon Must Be Prosecuted Under Federal RICO Statutes by Samuel Rivers 

DAMON K JONES
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Letter to the Editor: Kenneth Plummer and Rise Up Mount Vernon Must Be Prosecuted Under Federal RICO Statutes by Samuel Rivers 

Mount Vernon is being bled from the inside out—not by its struggling economy, not by crime in the streets—but by deeply embedded corruption orchestrated by political operatives hiding behind nonprofits and campaign flyers. At the center of this cancer is Kenneth Plummer, a shadowy figure with a long and sordid history of illegal dealings, political manipulation, and self-enrichment at the public’s expense.

Plummer is not merely a participant in the city’s corruption—he is its architect. Through Rise Up Mount Vernon, a fake grassroots organization he controls, Plummer has created a political machine powered by intimidation, bribery, pay-to-play schemes, and the laundering of developer and contractor money in exchange for city contracts, tax breaks, and zoning favors.

Rise Up Mount Vernon isn’t a civic group—it’s a criminal enterprise, operating under the cloak of civic engagement. Under any fair reading of the law, its actions fall squarely under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968. The statute was written to break the back of organizations just like this—corrupt enterprises engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity, including wire fraud, mail fraud, extortion, money laundering, and bribery.

In United States v. Turkette, 452 U.S. 576 (1981), the Supreme Court ruled that RICO targets both legitimate and illegitimate enterprises involved in organized criminal conduct. The activities of Kenneth Plummer and Rise Up Mount Vernon are precisely what Congress envisioned when enacting RICO.

Plummer, whose known financial misdeeds include owing upwards of $80,000 to the IRS, has somehow transformed himself into a powerbroker—funded by shady developers, fueled by lies, and protected by politicians who benefit from his dirty work.

He is the bagman of Mount Vernon’s political underworld, moving money and manipulating elections from the shadows.

Through Rise Up, Plummer has orchestrated:

  • Citywide mailers disguised as official government notices, filled with false endorsements and propaganda.
  • Online smear campaigns and defamatory websites targeting opposition candidates, funded and launched just days before elections.
  • Political events staged under the guise of public service, with taxpayer-funded police details acting as campaign security.
  • Direct coordination with Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard’s office to influence school board, city council, and judicial elections—all while enriching himself and his allies.

This is not governance—it’s racketeering.

Kenneth Plummer is not merely an unethical actor. He is a malignant force in Mount Vernon’s civic life—a political cancer that continues to metastasize unchecked. Every day that he remains embedded in our political infrastructure is another day Mount Vernon hemorrhages trust, tax dollars, and its democratic integrity.

The verified complaint in Gabriel Thompson v. Shawyn Patterson-Howard (Westchester Index No. 65615/2025) lays out in damning detail the illegal and unconstitutional use of public resources by the mayor, all tied back to Plummer’s influence network. Rise Up Mount Vernon is not an independent group—it is a weaponized extension of the Plummer machine

Enough is enough. I call on the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to launch a formal RICO investigation into Kenneth Plummer, Rise Up Mount Vernon, and all contractors, developers, and public officials profiting from this criminal enterprise.

If Mount Vernon is to survive, we must excise the rot. Kenneth Plummer is a threat to every honest resident, taxpayer, and voter in this city. He is the disease. RICO is the cure.

Sincerely,

Samuel L. Rivers

Westchester 2025 Primary Election Results (UPDATED)

AJ Woodson
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Westchester 2025 Primary Election Results (UPDATED)

Here are the unofficial results of some of Westchester County’s most closely watched races. Yonkers Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy holds off all challengers, Danielle Browne becomes Mount Vernon’s Youngest City Court Judge, MV Comptroller Darren Morton wins re-election, and Councilman Justin Brasch wins primary for White Plains mayor.

Yonkers Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy emerges victorious in a hotly contested race. She defeats four opponents, Chuck Lesnick (1,406 votes), Mike Khader (1,965 votes), Peter Spano (708 votes), and Councilwoman Tasha Diaz (722 votes), to become the Democratic candidate for Yonkers City Council president in her bid for re-election in November with 38% of the vote (2,976 votes). Dean T. Politopoulos emerged victorious over Ronald Schutte (605 votes), vying to be the Republican candidate with 65% of the vote (1,596 votes). Collins and Politopoulos will face off with Angelique F. Lopez, who defeated Chuck Lesnick to appear on the Working Families Party line in November with 74% of the vote.

Danielle R. Browne, who made history as the youngest City Councilmember in Mount Vernon and, in 2023, became the youngest Council President and the fourth Black woman to hold the role, defeated Judge Peter Davis and will make history again as the Youngest Mount Vernon City Court Judge, with 60% of the vote (2,660 votes).

“There are many things that I could say about this election… but the most important thing is… Thank you, Mount Vernon! I love you and am grateful for your love and support,” Councilwoman Browne shared on Facebook.

Mount Vernon Comptroller Darren M. Morton won re-election, defeating challenger Benjamin A. Montgomery, receiving 63% of the vote (2,758 votes)

“Thank you to the voters of Mount Vernon for your overwhelming support in the Democratic Primary. I am honored to have the opportunity to be on the November ballot for a second term as comptroller. Together, we have made significant strides towards transparency, accountability, and fiscal stability in our city. I am committed to continuing this important work and ensuring that every dollar spent is a dollar well invested in our community,” Comptroller shared.

In the hotly contested Mount Vernon City Council race (3 seats open), Cathlin B. Gleason (2,222 votes), André D. Wallace (2,012 votes), and Cynthia Turnquest-Jones (1,930 votes) emerged victorious.

“Thank you, Mount Vernon Democrats, for continuing to believe in the work we’ve done together. As you already know, I firmly believe that only through partnership, commitment, and mutual understanding can Mount Vernon truly move forward in a way that benefits all of the people, all of the time. It is an honor to be considered your partner and a voice for the everyday citizen. Let’s keep working together to build the city we all deserve,” Gleason shared.

“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to have earned your confidence once again in this primary election. Winning this race is not just a personal milestone. It is a shared victory for all of us who believe in progress, equity, and community,” Wallace shared with Black Westchester. “To the residents who cast their votes, engaged in the process, and voiced their hopes for Mount Vernon’s future, thank you. Your belief in my leadership, not just this year but throughout every opportunity of my public service, has been the driving force behind our efforts. I take your trust seriously and carry it with humility and purpose.”

Councilman Justin C. Brasch defeats former Council President Nadine Hunt-Robinson in the Democratic primary for White Plains Mayor with 63% of the vote (1,803 votes). White Plains will have a new mayor for the first time since 2011, as Mayor Tom Roach is running for county clerk. Brasch will face Republican candidate Lenny Lolis in November.

“I’m feeling terrific. You work really hard in these campaigns, around the clock, and it’s great when you’re victorious and you can pursue your dreams to make the world a better place,” says Brasch.

Thomas H. Drake defeated Morgen L. Fleisig in the Hastings Village Mayor race, receiving 60% of the vote (1,079 votes). Councilwoman Corazon Pinada-Issac defeated challenger Alberto Velazquez in her bid for re-election in Yonkers District 2, with 69% of the vote (699 votes).


The election results are from the Westchester County Board of Elections website and are only the unofficial tally of election results prepared in accordance with Section 9-126 of the New York State Election Law. Due to multiple transcriptions of voting machine numbers involved in preparing the unofficial tally, all results are subject to error. Furthermore, in accordance with Section 8-142 of the New York State Election Law, some of the absentee votes may not be available for inclusion in the unofficial tally.

Note: These are the unofficial results as of today. However, please be advised that these are subject to change, and there will be no final certifications until sometime in July.

Stay Tuned To Black Westchester and refresh this page as we will be updating as the results come in. To see all Westchester County Election results, go to the Board of Elections website.

ICE Arrests 11 Iranian Nationals in 48-Hour Operation Amid Heightened Border Security

DAMON K JONES
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ICE Arrests 11 Iranian Nationals in 48-Hour Operation Amid Heightened Border Security

In a swift and coordinated operation that underscores the Biden-Trump administration’s aggressive border enforcement policies, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the arrest of 11 Iranian nationals over the past 48 hours.

The individuals, whose names have not been released pending legal processing, were apprehended during targeted raids in Arizona, California, and Texas—states where federal officials say foreign nationals are increasingly attempting to cross undetected. The arrests come just days after President Donald Trump announced a controversial ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran, adding fuel to geopolitical tensions already spilling into domestic enforcement policy.

According to ICE spokesperson Nicole Mendoza, “These arrests were part of an ongoing national security effort to ensure that individuals from countries of interest are properly vetted before entering the United States. The risk posed by unchecked migration from adversarial nations remains a serious concern.”

Homeland Security officials report that over 1,200 individuals are being detained daily this month alone, with internal goals to ramp up detentions to 3,000 per day by the end of the summer. While critics argue that this represents a return to Trump-era immigration tactics, supporters within the administration maintain it is a necessary response to what they call a “deliberate sabotage of America’s borders” under the previous administration.

Notably, the detentions of the Iranian nationals come at a time when fears of foreign infiltration and sleeper cells have resurfaced. “This is not just about immigration—it’s about intelligence,” said former CIA analyst Mark Penn. “We’ve known for years that the southern border has become a vulnerability point not just for economic migrants, but for state-sponsored actors.”

Civil rights advocates are already raising concerns about racial profiling and due process. “This has all the markings of a political show of force,” said Farah Ghaznavi, a human rights attorney based in Los Angeles. “We need transparency on how these individuals were identified, what legal protections they’re being afforded, and whether these actions are grounded in actual evidence.”

The Department of Justice has not yet stated whether any of the 11 face terrorism-related charges, but sources indicate the FBI is conducting parallel investigations.

Larger Political Implications

This incident is expected to be used as a rallying cry among Trump’s base, many of whom have demanded stronger enforcement in the wake of Middle Eastern tensions. But it also places pressure on Democrats—particularly those from border states—who now find themselves navigating between civil liberties and national security optics in an election year.

With rising global instability and a resurgent focus on “America First” policies, these arrests mark a sharp escalation in immigration enforcement and an early sign of how foreign policy may directly shape domestic politics heading into 2026.

Black Westchester will continue to monitor developments.

Trump Blasts Israel Over Retaliation Strike, Defends Iran Ceasefire Effort: “Both Sides Violated

DAMON K JONES
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Trump Blasts Israel Over Retaliation Strike, Defends Iran Ceasefire Effort: “Both Sides Violated

In a fiery and unfiltered press exchange, former President Donald Trump expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s military retaliation in the hours following a fragile ceasefire agreement, calling their response “unnecessary” and “excessive,” despite a single rocket allegedly fired by Iran after the deal took effect.

“I didn’t like the fact that Israel unloaded right after we made the deal,” Trump told reporters. “They didn’t have to unload. I’m not happy with Israel either.”

Trump said the ceasefire agreement was a major breakthrough in Middle East diplomacy, one he expected would usher in a “new dawn” for the region. But he criticized both Israel and Iran for failing to deescalate. “We both violated it,” he said. “I don’t think they [Iran] did it intentionally… but Israel went out this morning, and I’m going to try and stop it.”

He suggested Israel’s decision to launch a major offensive in response to a lone rocket—reportedly fired after the agreed-upon ceasefire deadline—was unwarranted and risked unraveling diplomatic progress. “You don’t go out in the first hour and just drop everything you have on them,” he said, adding that “one rocket that didn’t land” shouldn’t have justified such a large military response.

When pressed on Iran’s intentions, Trump said he still believes the country is committed to peace, even acknowledging they violated the deal. “I’m not happy with Iran either, but I’m really unhappy if Israel is going out this morning because of one rocket… that was perhaps a mistake.”

Trump then delivered one of his most blunt and revealing statements of the press conference:

“You know what we have? We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f— they’re doing. Do you understand that?”

He also defended the U.S. military operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities, praising B2 bomber pilots for a “precision job” that he claimed completely demolished the site. He blasted CNN and MSNBC—referred to as “MSDNC”—for allegedly downplaying the effectiveness of the strikes. “CNN is scum. MSDNC, same thing. Gutless losers,” he said, accusing the networks of trying to undermine the military’s success.

Despite the outburst, Trump emphasized the broader shift in the Middle East, particularly pointing to improvements for women in the region and economic reforms in Saudi Arabia. He reaffirmed his desire for long-term stability and reiterated that he would be addressing the situation further after his upcoming NATO meeting.

As tensions remain high between Israel and Iran, Trump’s comments highlight the growing fractures within U.S. policy toward its Middle East allies. His critique of Israel’s actions is rare for an American political leader—especially one who has previously enjoyed strong support from the Israeli government.

A Vote Is Not a Valentine: The Importance of Voting in Local Elections

AJ Woodson
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A Vote Is Not a Valentine: The Importance of Voting in Local Elections

“A vote is not a Valentine, it’s a chess move. You don’t have to fall in love—you just have to show up.” This phrase, made popular by civil rights activist and writer Rebecca Solnit, is a powerful reminder that voting is not about perfection or romance. It’s about participation. Nowhere is that participation more urgently needed—and more impactful—than in local elections.

While presidential races often dominate the headlines and attract record-breaking turnout, local elections typically suffer from low participation. Yet, the decisions made at the local level often have a more direct and immediate impact on our daily lives than those made in Washington.

Why Local Elections Matter: Local officials shape the policies and services that touch almost every aspect of our communities. School boards, city councils, mayors, sheriffs, county commissioners, and judges—all play critical roles in:

  1. Education policy: from curriculum choices to school funding and safety.
  2. Policing and criminal justice: setting budgets, oversight, and accountability for law enforcement.
  3. Public transportation and infrastructure, including roads, transit systems, and maintenance.
  4. Housing and zoning laws: affecting rent prices, development, and homelessness.
  5. Health and social services, such as local clinics, food assistance, and mental health programs.
  6. Environmental regulations: decisions on water quality, waste management, and climate resilience.

Every pothole filled, every library funded, every policy that affects your neighborhood begins with choices made by elected officials in your city, county, or school district.

Low Turnout, High Stakes: Ironically, while local elections have the most tangible effect on our communities, they often suffer from alarmingly low voter turnout. It’s not uncommon for mayors, school board members, or district attorneys to be elected by just 10–20% of eligible voters. That means a small, organized group can sway an entire election—especially when others stay home. When fewer people vote, representation becomes skewed. Local elections become more susceptible to special interest influence or extremist candidates who don’t reflect the broader community’s values. In contrast, higher turnout leads to more balanced, inclusive, and accountable governance.

Every Vote Truly Counts: Unlike national races where millions of votes are cast, local elections can be decided by just a handful. There are countless examples of city council races or school board seats being decided by fewer than 100 votes—or even a single vote. That’s not a metaphor. It’s a fact.

So when people say “my vote doesn’t matter,” local elections prove otherwise. Your vote can determine who decides whether your kids’ school gets funded, whether your neighborhood park stays open, or whether a new affordable housing development gets built.

Local Politics = Grassroots Power: Local elections also build the foundation for broader social change. Many national leaders started their careers in city halls and school boards. By engaging in local politics, citizens don’t just influence immediate policies—they help shape the next generation of leadership.

Moreover, local civic engagement builds community power. Organizing, voting, and holding local leaders accountable cultivates a culture of participation. It fosters connections between neighbors, builds coalitions, and creates momentum that can scale to state and national movements.

Voting Is a Responsibility, Not a Romance: You don’t have to adore a candidate to cast your ballot. You don’t have to agree with every policy or like every personality. Voting is about choosing the best available option to represent your interests and your community’s needs.

We don’t wait for perfect weather to wear a coat. We don’t wait for perfect love to build a relationship. And we shouldn’t wait for perfect candidates to vote. Voting is an act of power, not passion.

Show Up: Local elections may not come with the fanfare of national ones, but they are every bit as important—if not more. They shape the schools our children attend, the streets we drive on, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the future of our communities.

So remember: a vote is not a Valentine—it’s a tool. Use it. Don’t wait for perfection. Don’t sit it out. Show up, speak up, and vote—especially when it’s local.

Click here to see who is running in your area & if you do not know your voting location, click here.

Official Challenge Filed Against Kenneth Plummer Illegally Holding Mt. Vernon District Leader Position

AJ Woodson
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Official Challenge Filed Against Kenneth Plummer Illegally Holding Mt. Vernon District Leader Position

Complaints were sent to Westchester County Board of Elections Commissioner Tajian Nelson detailing allegations that Kenneth Plummer no longer resides at his claimed address of 14–16 Martens Place in Mount Vernon and has not lived there for several years, despite being a Mount Vernon District Leader who influences who the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee endorses as their candidates in elections. Some of these individuals contacted Black Westchester, which led to BW Publisher Damon K. Jones writing about it in his column From The Publisher’s Desk, titled What Is The Democratic Party Hiding?” Kenny Plummer Case Ignored Despite Evidence & Legal Precedent.

Commissioner Nelson contacted Black Westchester to address the accusations that she wasn’t responding to the complaints and shared with us what the process was to have Plummer removed.

Please be advised that NYS Election Law does not allow the Board of Elections to arbitrarily cancel or change a voter’s registration status.  Please see below the NYS Election Law §5-220 regarding registration challenges.  I am attaching the post-registration challenge affidavit form for your completion.  Once our office has received a properly completed form, we will proceed with an investigation regarding Kenneth Plummer’s registration status.  After the investigation is concluded, if the findings determine that Mr. Plummer does not reside at his address in the City of Mount Vernon, the Board per NYS Election Law will proceed with the cancellation of his registration at that address.    

On Monday, June 23rd, a few concerned citizens, including Jones and Jesse Van Lew of Save Mount Vernon, did just that and went to the BOE to make their formal complaints.

“Something that had to be done, being a district leader, to mislead this community this should be a warning for others that there are few who believe in trust, dignity, and have Morals, we will hold all accountable, going forward it’s about Saving Mt.Vernon and Having pride in our leaders to lead,” Van Lew shared with Black Westchester.

Others tell Black Westchester they will be going to the BOE shortly to also fill out post-registration challenge affidavits.

After filling out the affidavits in person they were signed following the taking of an oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that the foregoing statement made by me on (insert day, month and year) is a truthful disclosure of the reasons for my belief that the registered voter therein named is not qualified to continue to be registered in the election district in which he is now registered.’’

According to Commissioner Nelson, once the properly completed form is filled out, “we will proceed with an investigation regarding Kenneth Plummer’s registration status.  After the investigation is concluded, if the findings determine that Mr. Plummer does not reside at his address in the City of Mount Vernon, the Board per NYS Election Law will proceed with the cancellation of his registration at that address.“

A Black Westchester investigation shows that Kenneth Plummer lives at The Regency Condo, 14 Nosband White Plains, NY, but Mr. Kenneth Plummer is serving as a Mount Vernon District Leader using the address 14 Martens Pl. in Mt. Vernon. You must reside in the same Assembly District, or you are not qualified to be a District Leader in the City of Mount Vernon. Plummer admitted he lives in White Plains in a text message to Black Westchester’s Jones and Woodson in a poor attempt to get us to back down from the articles about him and his Political Action Committee, RiseUp Mount Vernon.

“Each member of a county committee shall be an enrolled voter of the party residing in the county and the assembly district from which or in the assembly district containing the election district in which such member is elected.”  Therefore, a County Committee member is not required to live in the same municipality but can be a County Committee member in any municipality that includes their Assembly District.

So since the City of Mount Vernon is in New York’s 89th State Assembly District and White Plains, NY is split between two New York State Assembly districts: Assembly District 88 and Assembly District 93, according to NYS Election Law Section 2-104(1) of the New York State Election Law, Plummer is not legally allowed to be a District Leader in the City of Mount Vernon or vote in the Mount Vernon Democratic Primary.

The complaints have been filed, and now the investigation begins. Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story.

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